Weekly Shopping Trip 9/13/2010

I didn't get to go shopping on my usual Friday last week so I am playing catch up this week by going today. I did hit Sprouts for their sweet weekend Sale they were having and used up basically the remainder of my gift card. So it didn't contribute to my monthly spending this week. I didn't however get a picture of that trip sorry. Just imagine that there is lots of yummy produce in the picture below. :) This week I shopped at Kings, Safeway and Wal-mart (and Sprouts of course) Here is what my trip looked like this week.

I got all of this

including this...
and this.

for a total of $23.13!

without coupons and sales I would have spent $59.69.

That is a total savings of 62%!

If you are wondering why my savings % isn't particularly high this week, it is because I shopped at Wal-Mart. Although their prices on the items I bought were a lot cheaper than Kings or Safeway they do not list the actual savings on your receipt. Therefore I didn't have a number to add from my Wal-Mart receipt. Although the % is low, I am happy I am at less than half my budget for the week. That will give me a little wiggle room another week when there are some good stock up prices. I am so ready for a good sale on Chicken Breasts. My stockpile is down to the end. :)

If you would like to know how to get the sames deals that I did check out Bargain Blessings or Springs Bargains for a detailed list of the deals this week. If you do not see one of the deals that I got on their site please feel free to ask me and I will tell you the particulars.

Wal-Mart Deals 11/18-11/26

Well I don't think I have made it any secret that Wal-Mart has quickly become my least favorite store since I have started couponing BUT they had an ad come out today for Thanksgiving deals that I could not ignore so I thought I would post the ones I see that are the best. Also don't forget that Wal-Mart will price match competitors ads. On to the deals!

FROZEN DAIRY AND MEAT

Pilsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust
$2.25-$1.00/2 insert or printable coupon
FINAL PRICE $2.00 when you buy 2 (cheaper @ Kings)

Edwards Frozen Pies
$5.00- $1.00/1 insert coupon
FINAL PRICE $4.00

Jimmy Dean Sausage
$2.00

Breyers Ice Cream
$2.59

GENERAL GROCERY

Green Giant Canned Vegetables
$0.50 each

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
$0.88 each

Campbells Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soup
$0.58 -$1.00/4 printable coupon
FINAL PRICE $0.33 each (cheaper @ Target this week)

Fisher Pecans (16 oz.)
$5 cheaper than Sams but probably will go cheaper

Stove Top Twin pack
$1.50

PRODUCE

Sweet Potatoes/YTams
$0.25 /lb.

Fresh Cranberries
$1.67 (cheaper @ King Soopers)

10.21.09

The kids and I decided to go to Wal-mart today to pick up a few last minute items for Halloween Costumes and while I was there I realized there were a few items I had forgotten to pick up at other stores. The more I shop the more I realize that my old way of thinking was SO SO WRONG! I used to think that Wal-mart's prices were better than anyone elses. Other than the fact that they have raised their prices on just about everything, they really are not that pleasant to shop with. I decided to price match a few more bags of candy as I had another coupon I found later that day that would make for decent prices. They were fine with the price matching but then proceeded to tell me that I couldn't price match and use a coupon. This, I explained to the manager, doesn't make sense as they are getting reimbursed for the full value of the coupon whether I price match or not. They are not losing any money for me using the coupon! After waiting (with 3 impatient people in line behind me) for about 5 minutes for another manager to give her the ok, she decided to go ahead and do it. Next time I will definitely just do my price matching (especially where coupons are involved) at Target if I can help it. So frustrating! Here is the breakdown of what I got.

Total before Coupons and Sales $11.57
Total out of Pocket $9.83
Total % Saved 15%

HERE IS THE WHAT I GOT

4 bags of Reeses Candy
Price Matched Toys R Us Ad @ $1.74 (reg. $2.50) -B3GOF
FINAL PRICE

$1.30

I know this does not seem like a great deal… I realized the other coupons I planned to use on the deal were expired already. BOO!

2 cans Kidney Beans
$0.75 each

2 cans Pinto Beans
$0.72 each

1 pkg. great value cream cheese
$1.67
OUCH! After purchasing the Philadelphia brand a month or so ago for $0.79 each this one hurt.

What is funny is after looking at the poor savings in this transaction I realized it is almost exactly what I was doing before I started my system. I was using coupons to save a little but mostly paying high price for everything. It is the perfect example of what having a stockpile can do for you. Had I had these things in stock (the beans and the cream cheese) I would not have had to pay through the nose for it. I guess it shows progress if this small transaction was as painful to me as it was. I know it is only a few cents but I have really learned how a few cents here and there really do add up to hundreds of dollars. I vow to do better! I sure hope they have a bean sale soon. Chili season is here!!!

10.13.09

Today I took my sister in law Rachel with me to kind of give her an idea of how to coupon. I must say…so much more fun to shop with a friend. :) We shopped Walmart and King Soopers today and here are the deals we scored. I am going to break it down a little bit more this time to hopefully help those that would like to get the same deals. Let me know what you think. (like it / don’t like it / etc.)

HERE IS THE BREAKDOWN

Total before Coupons and Sales $91.26
Total out of Pocket $34.91
Total % Saved 62%

KING SOOPERS

**Don't forget King Soopers Doubles Coupons**

2 bottle Palmolive pure + clear Dish Soap
$1.99-.50 (insert coupon)

FINAL PRICE

$0.99 each

2 cartons Breyers Ice Cream
$1.99 each

not a great sale price but believe it or not we went through

all 5 cartons we got for $0.50 from Target a few months ago

4 cartons light sour cream
$0.88 each

4 bags (25oz) Tyson All Natural Chicken Nuggets
$4.59 + $1/1 insert coupon

FINAL PRICE

$3.59 each

1 2# pkg. Strawberries
FREE

I bought these last week and they went bad by the next morning so they replaced them for free

2 Healthy Choice Frozen Steamers
$1.79+$2/1 printable coupon

FINAL PRICE

$0.33 overage each

2 bags Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers
$1.49 +$.50 insert coupon

FINAL PRICE

$0.49 each

4 pkg. Pilsbury Crescent Rolls

$1.66 + $.50/2 insert coupon +$1.00/2 e-coupon+

a catalina will print $2.50 OYNO when you buy 4

FINAL PRICE

$0.29 each

WALMART

1 loaf 100% whole wheat bread

$1.00

1 pkg. activia yogurt

$1.83 +$1/1 insert coupon

FINAL PRICE

$0.83 each

2 (2pk) Mr Clean Magic Erasers
$1.98 + BOGO insert coupon

FINAL PRICE

$0.98 each

4 pkg. kotex pantyliner (14ct)
$1.00 +$2/2 insert coupon

FINAL PRICE

FREE

2 pkg. Pull-Ups Flushable Wipes (45 count)

PS. these are great for adults too!
$1.64 + $2/2 printable coupon

FINAL PRICE

$0.64 each

2 pkg. Whole Carrots (1#)
(price match from Sunflower Market ad)

$0.50 each

1 3# bag yellow onions

$1.88

So I got only about half of my shopping done on Monday but I am hoping to hit King Soopers and Sams today and tomorrow. But here is the breakdown from my trips to Target, Walmart (price matching Sunflower Market and Sprouts), and Albertsons.

Total before Coupons and Sales $96.93
Total out of Pocket $36.43
Total % Saved 62%

HERE IS THE WHAT I GOT
1 avocado $0.84 each
1-10# pkg. russet potatoes $1.99 each
2 bottle vegetable oil (48oz) $1.99 each
2 bottles Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce $0.73 each
2 bottles simply orange juice $1.99 each
2 pkg. market pantry chocolate chips $1.47 each
2 red/yellow bell pepper $0.88 each
2 skippy peanut butter $0.64 each
3 pkg. DaVinci spaghetti $0.79 each
3-1# pkg. Farmland Sausage $1.00 each
5 pkg. (6pk) motts applesauce $0.75 each
6 crystal light to go packets (3pk) $0.32 overage each
1 bunch asparagus $1.25 per #
2 # red grapes $0.85 per #
3.4 # pears $0.88 per #
7 # gala apples $0.39 per #
1 box honey nut cherrios $0.49
1 pkg. ceasars dog treats $0.98

2 boxes (120 ct) snuggle dryer sheets

It was a pretty good trip albeit long. It was nice to stock up on some things. :) I will update later this week. :)

9.28.09

So this week I combined all of my shopping into one entry. My deals do not “look” so great this week for a few reasons.

1. Makayla’s Birthday Party and Dinner fall in this week’s budget so I am purchasing a few things that I normally wouldn’t but need to because I don’t have them on hand.
2. I shopped at Wal-Mart and Sams Club which do not figure in sale prices. Most of their prices on the things I bought there are just cheaper there, so the % looks lower.

I shopped at five stores this week (something I do not want to do each week but had to because of reason 1 listed above was necessary). I went to Sams, Wal Mart, King Soopers, Safeway, and Sunflower market. The good news is I finished all today because I got to go alone (a rare occasion). Overall I am VERY happy with my cost coming in under my $150 budget and feel the 5 store were worth it. The news that makes this even better is that I now have all of my items for my Kraft $20 BTS Rebate, that I will submit this week. YAY! I will probably hit Walgreens before the week is over as they are having some pretty good deals this week. Here is the breakdown.

Total before Coupons and Sales $154.22

Total out of Pocket $92.20
Total % Saved 40%

HERE IS THE WHAT I GOT
1 bunch celery $ 0.88 each
2-1# bag baby carrots $ 0.99 each
5 kiwi $ 0.20 each
4 boxes kraft mac & cheese $ 0.50 each
3-2 liter bottle of pop $ 0.78 each
2 (5oz) pkg. shredded parmesan cheese $ 2.42 each
1 container great value light whipped topping $ 0.94 each
5 smartones frozen meals $ 1.68 each
2 pkg. of 1 # turkey lunchmeat $ 1.99 each
5-6pk Danimals Yogurt Drinks $ 1.00 each
3 easymac cups $ 0.50 each (FREE with BTS Rebate)
2 bags Beggin Strips Dog Treats $ 1.99 each
5 pkg. caprisuns $ 1.37 each (FREE with BTS Rebate)
3 bottles Spray & Wash Liquid $ 0.82 each
1-18 ct large eggs $ 0.99 each
2.2 # pears $0.88 per #
1.5# tomatoes $ 0.88 per #
1.5 # green grapes $ 0.99 per #
1.75 # bananas $ 0.57 per #
1 5# seven bone beef roast $ 1.77 per #
2.4 # naval oranges $ 1.00 per #
4 # Gala Apples $ 0.77 per #
1 # broccoli crowns $ 0.77 per #
1 large pkg. foster farms corn dogs (30) $ 10.19 (not pictured)

1 quart heavy whipping cream $ 2.32
Pillsbury Cake Mix $ 0.88
1 pkg. chinet paper plates (36) $ 0.66
1 pkg. pixie stix $ 2.00 (for the birthday party goody bags)
1 pkg. activia yogurt $ 0.83
1 loaf 100% whole wheat bread $ 1.00
1 large head romain lettuce $ 0.50
1 pkg. of 1# honey ham lunchmeat $ 1.99
1 pkg. fettuccini $ 1.00
1 pkg. Barilla Mini Penne Pasta $ 0.50
1 loaf artisan french bread $ 0.25
1 avocado $ 0.77

9.23.09

After being sick this week I was itching to get out of the house. Since it has been a while since I have gone to Wal-Mart I decided I would go browse around. I was excited to find some good deals. The Chinet paper plates were actually $2.36 a month ago, which was a little disappointing but still $.02 per plate is a screaming deal and they are really nice to have around when company comes or when I am sick (like this week). The Bic markers were a clearance isle score, just $.50 per package and I had several coupons for $1.00/2 pkg. making them free. The sweet potatoes are random I know but being sick this week I realized I never got to Sunflower to pick up my produce. Most of said produce we could live without, but tonight I am making sweet potato fries which are hard to do without sweet potatoes. The cashier was giving me the funniest look through most of my transaction. I am sure due to the randomness of products and number of them, but after I handed her my coupons I think she got it.lol. Here is the breakdown.

Total before Coupons and Sales $48.73
Total out of Pocket $14.73
Total % Saved 70%

HERE IS THE WHAT I GOT
10 pkg. (36) chinet paper plates $0.66 per pkg.
8 pkg. pullups flushable wipes (42 ct) $0.39 each
1.7# sweet potatoes $0.99 per #
8 (2ct) Bic Permanent Markers FREE