My Day to Day World

Budget Talk 2/13-2/19

2011-02-13T15:03:00.000-08:00

Last week 2/6-2/12 I had $54.77 leftover in my budget. I stopped by Albertsons yesterday to get my husband a roast to make jerky with - $12!!!! This gives me $42.77 plus my regular $50 weekly spending allowance for a total budget of $92.77 for the week of 2/13-2/19!

Rite-Aid February 9th - Spent $1, Saved $37 (97%) - $24 MONEYMAKER!!!

2011-02-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

Because this was a trip from last week, I am not listing out all the details.

I spent $1.15 in cash and $30 in +Up Rewards (total cost of transaction $31.15), I received back $24 in +Up Rewards and will receive $31.97 in Register Rewards! This makes this a $24.82 MONEYMAKER!!!

Weekly Budget Summary

I had $54.05 remaining in my weekly budget before this transaction and $52.90 afterwards. I forgot that I used a rebate card on one of my transactions at Albertsons earlier in the week of $1.87, leaving me with $54.77!

Cookies & Dogs

2011-02-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Saturday before the Superbowl, I had stopped by Rosauers to get a few things and saw these Christmas cookies on Clearance for $1.50. I had just ordered $1/1 coupons and decided this was a great way to use them all up without having to pair with Twice the Value coupons. I threw them in the freezer and all I have to do is reroll them so I can cut them into whatever shape I want! I picked up 14 - Total Spent $7.00, Total Saved $26.46 (79%).

Then I was able to squeeze in a few more transactions of Bar-S meat franks! I picked up some pasta, break and buns too. Total Spent at Albertsons: $7.48, Total Saved $42.79 (85%)

Weekly Budget Summary

I had $68.53 remaining in me weekly budget before the above transactions. Afterwards, I still have $54.05.

Albertsons Trips - Monday February 7th

2011-02-13T13:57:00.000-08:00

This is a trip I did from last week's sales with my Twice The Value (TTV) coupons. I purchased the above items in three transactions using three sets of three TTV coupons. Since these are last week's prices, I am just gonna do a brief summary:

Nestle Cookie Dough $2.79, less $1/1 coupon, less TTV coupon = $0.79 each

Bar S Franks $1.00, less $1/2 coupon, less TTV coupon = FREE

Danimals Coolisions $2.29, less $1/1 coupon, less TTV coupon = $0.29

Total Spent $3.45 - Total Saved $33.42 (91%)

Weekly Budget Summary

I started the week with $71.98 to spend. These were my first transactions for the week so I now have $68.53.

Safeway Deals 2/9-2/15

2011-02-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

Friday thru Monday Only

Asparagus $1.49 per lb

Pepperidge Farm Cookies 3.25-8.6 oz. (Limit 4) $1.88

Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price $0.88

Starbucks Coffee 11-12 oz $5.99

USe $1/1 coupon from 11/21 SS
Final Price $4.99

Other Weekly Sales

Lucerne Large Eggs 18-ct $1.99 (limit 2)

with in-ad coupon and $10 minimum purchase

Coca-Cola 2-liters $0.99 each when you buy 4

Gatorade 32-oz $0.88 each

Pepsi 24-pk Cans $5.49 when you buy 2

Betty Crocker Cake Mix $0.89 each

Use $0.75 off Cake Mix and Frosting coupon from 1/30 SS
Final Price $0.14 plus the cost of Frosting

Kettle Potato Chips $2.50

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/2 RP or 1/30 RP
Final Price $1.50

Lucerne Creamery Fresh Ice Cream 1.5 qt $1.99 (limit 3)

with in-ad coupon and $10 minimum purchase

Albertsons Deals 2/9-2/15

2011-02-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

It is rumored that there will be Albertsons Twice the Value (TTV) coupons in this Sunday's paper! Usually Albertsons will put out a single sheet sales ad that includes three TTV coupons which you can pair with a manufacturer's coupon valued at $1 or less. Albertsons will use the TTV coupon to match the value of your manufacturer's coupon! The TTV coupons should be good Sunday the 13th thru Tuesday the 15th! Listed below are the deals I feel are the best for this week!

Apples 3-lb Bag (select varieties) $2.49

Tillamook Brick Cheese 2-lb $5.99

Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price $4.99
Wait til Sunday and use TTV coupn
Final Price $3.99

ConAgra Promotion

Spend $25 on participating products, receive a coupon at checkout for $10 of your next shopping trip. You only need to spend $25 before coupons!

Banquet Brown N Serve Breakfast Sausage, 6.4-7 oz. frozen links or patties $1.00

Banquet Regular Dinners, 5.75-10.25 oz. frozen $1.00

Blue Bonnet Margarine, 16 oz. quarters or tub $1.00

Chef Boyardee Pasta, 14.5-15 oz. can or 7.25 oz. microwave bowl $1.00

Use $0.35/3 coupon from 1/2 SS
Final Price $0.88 each
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $0.77 each

Guldens Mustard, 12 oz. $1.00

Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers, 6.94-7.95 oz. $2.50

Use $1/2 coupon here
Final Price $2.00 each
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $1.50 each
Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price $1.50
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $0.50

Healthy Choice Lunch Steamers, N

atural Entrees or Select Entrees, 8-9.9 oz. $2.00

Healthy Choice Soup, 15 oz. can $1.00

Hunts Ketchup, 24 oz. $1.00

Hunts Pasta Sauce, 26-26.5 oz. $1.00

Hunts Snack Pack Pudding, 4pk. $1.00

Use $0.60/3 coupon from 1/2 SS
Final Price $0.80 each
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $0.60 each

Hunts Tomatoes or Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz. $1.00

Use $0.45/3 coupon from 1/23 SS
Final Price $0.85 each
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $0.60 each

Kid Cuisine, 7.2-10.6 oz. $2.00

Marie Callenders Dinners or Fresh Flavor Steamers, 8.5-21 oz. frozen $3.00

Marie Callenders Homestyle Creations, 6.6-7.95 oz. $2.50

Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce, 15.5-16 oz. $1.00

Pam Cooking Spray, 5-6 oz. $2.50

Use $0.35/1 coupon from 1/23 SS
Final price $2.15
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $1.80

Peter Pan Peanut Butter, 16.3 oz. $1.69

Reddi-wip, 7 oz. $2.79

Use $0.50/1 coupon here
Final Price $2.29
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $1.79

Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes, 10 oz. $1.00

Rosarita Salsa, 16.8 oz. $2.00

Snapple Tea or Fruit Drinks, 6 pk. 16 oz. 5.00

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/30 SS
Final Price $4.00 each
Wait til Sunday and Use TTV coupon
Final Price $3.00 each

Swiss Miss Cocoa, 8-10 ct. $1.00

Wesson Oil, 48 oz. $3.49

Budget Talk (1/31-2/5)

2011-02-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

Pictured above are a couple of transactions I did at Albertsons on Friday the 4th of February using Twice the Value coupons. I am not going to list out the details as these were from last weeks sales ad.

The total spent on the above transactions was $11.93 - I put one transaction of $2.78 on my rebate card and paid cash for the remaining $9.15 (my total out of pocket).

I also made a quick trip to Costco for Edamame and Sandwhich Thins spending $13.98. Then made a trip into Rosauers on Saturday for some Superbowl essentials using the leftover balance of a gift card from Christmas and $8.64 out of pocket!

Weekly Budget Summary
Prior to these transactions, I had $53.75 remaining of my weekly budget. After these two tranasactions, I have $21.98, which I will carry over into next week (2/6-2/12). This carryforward plus my regular allowance of $50, gives me a total spending budget of $71.98 for the week!

Albertsons Deals 2/2 - 2/8

2011-02-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you have probably already noticed, but there are three Albertsons Twice the Value (TTV) coupons in this weeks ad. You can pair these with any manufacturer coupon valued $1 or less and Albertsons will match the value of that coupon. You can use one set of three per shopping trip!

Also in this weeks ad is a sheet of manufacturer coupons with the Albertsons logo on them. I would presume you could pair these with TTV coupons. Please let me know if you try and what your experience is.

Here is what I feel are the best deals for pairing manufacturer coupons to TTVs for the week:

Avocados $0.68 each

Dannon Activia, 4 pk. $2.29

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/9 SS
Use TTV coupon
Final Price $0.29

Dannon Activia, Light and Fit, Danimals, Crush Cup, Coolisions or Drinkables, 4-6 pk. $2.29

Use $1/2 coupon from 1/23 SS
Use TTV coupon
Final Price $1.29 each

Nestle Cookie Dough, 16-16.5 oz. $2.79

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/30 RP
Use TTV coupon
Final Price $0.79
Use $1/1 coupon here
Use TTV coupon
Final Price $0.79

Bar S Meat Franks, 16 oz. $1.00

Use $1/2 coupon from 1/30 RP or here
Use TTV
Final Price FREE

Maruchan Yakisoba, 4 oz. $1.00

Use $0.50/1 coupon from 1/2 SS
Use TTV
Final Price FREE

Taco Bell Refried Beans $1.00

Use $0.75/2 coupon here
Use TTV
Final Price $0.25 each

Rite-Aid $2.70 MONEYMAKER!

2011-01-31T18:46:00.000-08:00

Made a trip to Rite-Aid today on my lunch hour! I wanted to take advantage of the Afrin MONEYMAKER, the Spend $15 on select items receive back $5 +Up Reward (Lays, A&W, 7-Up & Dixie plates), and FREE dog treats!

Here's what I did:

2 Afrin $5.99 each

used 2 $3/1 coupons (no longer available)

used 1 $2 RA Video Value Coupon

Final Price $1.99 each - Received Back 2 $4 +Up Rewards = $4.02 MONEYMAKER

3 Hartz Dog Treats $2.99

used 3 $1/1 coupons from 1/9 SS

Final Price $1.99 each - Received Back 5 $1 +Up rewards = like paying $0.32 each

***I knew I would receive 3 $1 +Up Rewards for purchasing these (one for each box). I had read a rumor that I might get 2 $1 for each box, which I did but only for two of the three boxes. I purchased two boxes that were the variety flavors for all dog sizes and one box of regular flavor for medium dogs, so I would say the variety box is producing the extra $1 in +Up Rewards!

The next items are all part of the Spend $15, Get Back $5 +Up Reward Promotion

8 Lays Stax $1.00 each

Received back 8 $1 +Up Rewards = FREE

2 Dixie Plates $3.99 each

On a Buy One Get One FREE Sale This Week

Used $3/2 RA Video Value Coupon

Final Price $0.49 each

Only the price of the first one counts towards the $15!

4 2-Liter Sodas $1.25 each

Used 2 $0.30/1 peelies found on the bottles

Final Price $1.10 each - Received Back $1 +Up Reward for buying 4 = like paying $0.85 each

2 JIF Peanut Butters $1.99 each

Used $1/2 RA Video Value Coupon

Final Price $1.49 each - Received Back 2 $1 +Up Rewards = like paying $0.49 each

2 Smuckers Jellies $1.99 each

Final Price $1.99 - Received Back 1 $1 +Up Reward = like paying $1.49 each

Subtotal: $30.30

Used $2 off any purchase RA Winter Reward Video Value Coupon

Used $1 off any purchase RA Winter Reward Video Value Coupon

New Subtotal: $27.30

Used $19.95 in +Up Rewards from previous transactions

Total $7.35 - Used Rebate Card

Total Spent $0 - Total Saved $69.17 (100%) - Received Back $30 in +Up Rewards = $2.70 MONEYMAKER!

***I had enough +Up Rewards that I could have taken the total ($7.35) to under $2 but I fouled up thinking my total was over $30 and handed over too much in +Up Rewards, with a $10 +Up Rewards being at the bottom of the stack. By the time she got to the bottom, my total wasn't under $10 so I quickly exchanged it for a $1.99 +Up Reward! I would have been better off had I had her scan my two $10 +Up Rewards first then fed her the smaller ones one by one!

MONEYMAKING CALCULATION

Had I not used the $19.95 in +Up Rewards, I would have spent $27.30 out of pocket (19.95+7.35). The $30 in +Up Rewards earned less the cost of the purchase is how I determine that this is a money making transaction.

Weekly Budget Summary

This transaction didn't use any of my weekly allowance as I used a rebate card, however, I also made a quick stop at Walgreens to grab a gallon of milk for $2.49. This takes my $56.24 budget down to $53.75!

Budget Talk

2011-01-31T18:24:00.000-08:00

I started this week with a carryforward of $24.05 from monies not spent the previous week. This in addition to my weekly allowance of $50, gave me a total of $74.05 for the week. I was excited to have this excess in my budget for the week so I could stock up on healthier food options!

After the last shopping trip I posted to Rite-Aid, I still had $31.87 remaining for the week. Then Saturday, I dropped my son off at a birthday party an in an effort to kill some time before I needed to pick him back up, I wandered around Costco.... never a good idea!

1 4-pack Laughing Cow Cheese $8.35

5 lbs 91/9 Lean Ground Beef $13.99 ($2.80 per lb)

2 dozen large eggs $3.29

Total Spent $25.63

Weekly Allowance Remaining: $6.24

So this week I have a spending allowance of $56.24!

You Don't Have to Have Friends to Save Money!

2011-01-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

FACEBOOK is one of the best places to get coupons and usually when available, they are the best coupons to be found! If you don't already have a FACEBOOK account then you should get one!

I know of people who are hesitant to get on FACEBOOK, but even so, create an account under an alias! You don't have to have any friends to become a fan of Product Pages!

Here are the best coupons to be had at the moment!

Bath & Body Works -

Go here to join their Facebook page, click on like, then go to their wall and find their Our Gift to You post and click on the lind to download a coupon for a FREE 1.6 oz Candle! Use this coupon through January 30th!

Challenge Butter -

Go here to join their Facebook page, click on like, you should be taken directly to their coupon tab, click on the coupon picture to print a $2/1 coupon! This should make for some FREE butter! You can print this coupon twice!

Downy -

Go here to join their Facebook page, click on like, then keep an eye on it today, as they are doing some giveaways! The next giveaway will be 10,000 samples of April Fresh!

Thank you Money Saving Mom!

Rite-Aid Spent $1, Saved $65 (99%)

2011-01-28T10:52:00.001-08:00

This week at Rite-Aid, there is awesome money making potential on Nature Made Fish Oil! Earlier this month, there was a $5/1 internet coupon available for Nature Made vitamins and had you printed them, you could potentially make $16 on purchasing Fish Oil! I of course never got around to printing them but I was still able to make some money. Here is what I did:

3 Nature Made Fish Oil 60-ct $11.49 each

1 GE Extra Soft Lightbulbs 4-pack $1.99

Subtotal: $36.46

Used $4/$20 Rite-Aid Purchase Video Value Beauty Bonus Coupon

Used 1 $4/1 Nature Made Fish Oil coupon from February All You Magazinge

Used 2 $2/1 Nature Made Fish Oil coupon fromm 1/2 SS

Used 1 $3/1 Nature Made Rite-Aid February Video Value Coupon

New Subtotal: $21.46, Plus I earned $27.99 in +Up Rewards, which makes this transaction a $6.53 MONEYMAKER

Used $21 of +Up Rewards from previous transaction

Total: $0.46, Used Rebate Card

Total Spent $0, Total Saved $38.46 (100%)

My son was invited to a birthday party this weekend for a girl in his class. I have a couple of gifts stashed away for boys but none for girls. Rather than going to Walmart and spending cash on a present, I decided to see what I could find at Rite-Aid. I have an abundance of +Up Rewards so this is a much pleasing option over cash! I also was in need of a calendar! Can you believe I got no calendars this year for Christmas! Last year I had more than I could use!!!

1 Wall Calendar $7.99

1 Color Explosion $11.99

2 GE Extra Soft Lightbulbs $1.99 each

Subtotal: $23.96, Plus I earned back $3.98, Which Makes this like paying $19.98

Used $23 in +Up Rewards Earned in Previous Transactions

Total Spent $0.96, Total Saved $27 (97%) - For some reason I forgot to use my Rebate Card! This should have been 100% Savings ;-)

Weekly Allowance Summary

After my trips to Safeway and my trip to Costco, I had $31.87 remaining in my weekly allowance, so after the $0.96 out of pocket on the above transactions, I still have $30.91 remaining!

Costco Spent $41.30

2011-01-28T10:39:00.000-08:00

I use to be a regular Costco shopper but once I started using coupons, I probably only go there once every month to two months! I do like going there for produce, meat and bread products. I have found that its not the best buy when you compare it to a great sale stacked with coupons at a grocery store, however, sometimes you just don't have a coupon for something you need and you can't wait around for the next big sale. In these instances, I do think you can get the best deal at Costco.

To help me start off on the right foot with my commitment to eating healthy, I made a run this week to stock up on some of my favorite essentials:

1 Meza Traditional Hummus $4.85

1 Bag Mini Sweet Peppers $4.49

1 Pace Picante 2-pack $4.99

1 Folgers $9.99

1 Bag String Cheese $8.99

1 Bag of Edamame $7.99

Total Spent $41.30

Weekly Allowance Summary

After my Safeway runs, I had $73.17 remaining in my weekly allowance. After spending $41.30 at Costco, I still have $31.87!

This was a perfect week for a trip to Costco and to start eating healthy as I had plenty of room in my budget to stock up on healthy options! One struggle I still have with coupons is how to get great buys on healthier food options, so I just try to save enough on other foods to allow using a larger portion of my budget to cover healthier items.

Safeway Shopping - Spent $1, Saved $42 (98%)

2011-01-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I received one of my big rebate gift cards I had been expecting. This card plus coming in under budget on last weeks spending of $24.05, gives me lots to work with this week and hopefully future weeks!

Transaction #1

I did this transaction on Sunday so these were last week's prices. Just gonna give a quick and dirty run down with no coupon info:

2 7-Up 2-liters $0.62 each

2 A&W 2-liters $0.77 each

3 Lucerne Ice Creams $1.79 each

1 Coffee-Mate Creamer 32-oz $2.49

1 Lucerne Sour Cream $1.50

2 Horizon Milk Singles FREE

1 Value Red Hot Dog Buns $0.89

1 Franz Whole Grain Bread $2.00

1 Gallon of Milk $1.99

Subtotal: $17.02

Used Rebate Card

Total Spent $0, Total Saved $30.78 (100%)

Transaction #2

When I check out with transaction #1, I received a $1/1 Danimals yogurt coupon, which was on sale for only $1.88 so I went back and purchased one, used the coupon and paid $0.88 out of pocket.

Spent $0.88, Saved $2.11 (71%)

Transaction #3

My carbless week was giving me a killer headache and I really needed something sweet but with no carbs to take the edge off so I made an emergency run for Crystal Light!

1 Safeway Lite Iced Tea $3.29

2 Nissin Top Ramen 6-packs $1.39 each

1 Romain Hearts 3-pack $2.99

Subtotal $9.06

Used Rebate Card

Total Spent $0, Total Saved $9.06 (100%)

Weekly Allowance Summary

I started the week with my weekly allowance of $50, plus $24.05 of overage from the week before. I spent $0.88 in the above transactions, leaving me with $73.17 to spend!

Lets Just Call It Reprogramming!

2011-01-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

I have been a little absent on here this week because I started to "reprogram" the way I eat. In an effort to establish better eating habits, which will hopefully lead to weight loss, I am in the process of reprogramming my tastes and cravings!

This week I am trying to eliminate carbs as much as possible. I am hoping this will suppress my sweet tooth and cravings for sweet and salty foods. My focus this week is to eat mainly vegetables, lean meats, and a couple of dairy servings each day. So far so good! I did have a veggie salad from a local resteraunt yesterday, which did have carbs (rice), but it was still a healthy lunch option, so I have been pleased with my progress. Plus I have been drinking water likes there's no tomorrow! All those trips from my office to the bathrooom equates to exercise, right?

The downside to all of this is that I have had a three day headache! I take that as a sign my body knows I am depriving it of something so its retaliating. The headache has left me pretty blah in the evenings which has led to the lack of posting. The good news is, I no longer have a headache! Which to me is a good sign my body will start responding positively to the changes in my eating habits and now that I am feeling a little more frisky, I can start to incorporate some exercise into my Day to Day World!

I have been doing some shopping this week. I did a Safeway trip on Sunday, a trip to Costco and had a nice money making trip to Rite-Aid. I will try to get the details of these up shortly!

2011-01-26T17:41:00.000-08:00

Friday thru Monday ONLY

Asparagus $1.99 lb

Gatorade 32 oz. $0.79

Classico Pasta Sauce 15-24 oz. $1.69

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese 7.25 oz. (Limit 10) $0.69

Kettle Chips 8.5 oz. $1.88

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/2 RP
Final Price $0.88

Kraft Salad Dressing 16 oz. $1.50

Use $1/2 coupon from 1/23 SS
Final Price $1.00 each

Ruffles or Lays Chips 9-10 oz. $1.88

Stouffers Family Size Meals 35-40 oz $5.00

Cheer 100 oz. 2X Liquid or 125 oz. Powder $8.99

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/16 PG or here
Final Price $7.99

Weekly Sales

Carrots - Eating Right Baby Peeled, 1 lb. bag $0.99

Garlic Bulbs $0.34 each

Onions - Red, White or Yellow 3 lb bag $1.50

Beef - Ground 80% Lean, Extreme Value Pack $1.99 lb

Lucerne Sour Cream 16 oz. $0.99

Oscar Mayer Basic Lunchables or Meat Bologna 3.3-16 oz. $0.99

Pepsi or 7-UP 2 Liter $0.88

General Mills Cheerios 8.9 oz. $1.99

Use $1/2 coupon from 1/9 SS
Final Price $1.49

Rosarita Refried Beans 16 oz. $1.00

Use $0.50/3 coupon from 1/23 SS
Final Price $0.84 each

Breyers Ice Cream 1.5 qt. or Klondike Novelties 4-6ct. $2.49

Arm and Hammer Scoop Litter 20 lb $5.99

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase
Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price $4.99

Glade Candles 4 oz. (Limit 2) $1.99

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase

Glade Scented Oil Refills 4ct. (Limit 2) $1.99

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase
Use $1/2 coupon here
Final Price $1.49

LOreal EverPure Shampoo or Conditioner 8.5-10.5 oz. $5.99

Use $2/1 coupon from 1/23 RP
Final Price $3.99

Safeway Softly Facial Tissue 66-160 ct. (Limit 2) $0.89

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase

Mix and Match Sale

Buy 4 participating items in one transaction, save $2 INSTANTLY - Look for other participating items throughout the store. Listed below are the ones I feel are the best deal. Prices listed are before/after discount

Campbells Select Harvest Soup 18.6-18.8 oz. $1.49/$0.99

Use $0.50/2 coupon from 1/2 SS
Final Price $0.74 each
Use $1/2 coupon here
Final Price $0.49 each

Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers 11-16.5 oz. $1.99/$1.49

Albertsons Deals 1/26 - 2/1

2011-01-26T17:25:00.000-08:00

Listed below are the advertised sales this week that I feel are the best! Please see the weekly ad for a list of all advertised sales.

Apples, medium Braeburn $0.68 lb

Tillamook Brick Cheese, 2 lb. $5.99

Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price $4.99

Pepsi Soft Drink, 24-pk $6.99

$5.99 each when you buy 2 in a single transaction

Malt O Meal Cereals, 18-21.5 oz. $2.00

Use $2/2 coupon from 1/2 SS
Final Price $1.00 each

Ragu Pasta Sauce, 16-26 oz. $1.50

Use in-ad manufacturers $1/2 coupon
Final Price $1.00 each

Skippy Peanut Butter, 15-16.3 oz. $1.50

Use in-ad manufacturers $1/2 coupon
Final Price $1.00 each

General Mills Cereal, 12.8 oz. Cinnamon Toast Crunch $1.75

Use $1/2 coupon from 1/9 SS
Final Price $1.25

General Mills Cereal, 14 oz. Cheerios, 12.25 oz. Honey Nut Cheerios $1.75

Use $1/2 coupon from 1/9 SS
Final Price $1.25 each

Budget Talk

2011-01-24T07:46:00.001-08:00

I started the third week of the year $24.65 over my weekly allowance of $50 per week due to over spending the first week of 2011. I knew I would eventually be able to recover from this overage which I did this week =) The only spending I did was at Rite-Aid. According to the post I did here detailing my transactions, I spent $2.11 but I forgot that my first transaction of $0.81 I put on a rebate gift card, so my actually spending was only $1.30! This means that I came in under budget for the week by $48.70!!!

I head into the 4th week of 2011 with a $24.05 cushion, giving me a weekly allowance of $74.05!

Rite-Aid Spent $2.11, Saved $62.68 (97%)

2011-01-21T14:30:00.000-08:00

*** I forgot when I orignally typed up this post that my first transaction I used a gift card from a rebate offer to pay, so my out of pocket on both transactions was only $1.30 and my total savings was $6.49 (98%)

Don't ya just love a great toilet paper deal? It will always get used and never goes bad! Which is why I was super excited about Rite-Aid's deal on bath and facial tissue this week - Buy one at $1, Get back a $1 +Up Reward, which makes it like free. Originally there was no limit, however, couponers fled to the Rite-Aid in masses on Sunday clearing shelves and depleting inventory, so by Monday morning Rite-Aid had imposed a 3 per wellness card limit! Its not as exciting when you only get to add a few packages to your stock pile. I headed there today to get my FREE toilet paper (but none to be found) and a few other items:

2 Halls Cough Drops $1.50 each

Used 2 $1/1 coupon here
Used 1 $0.50/1 Rite-Aid Video Value coupon
Final Price $0.25 each - Received Back $1 +Up Reward for buying 2 = $0.50 Moneymaker

4 Hormel Chillis $1.25 each

Used 2 $0.55/2 coupons
Used 1 $0.50 Video Value coupon
Final Price $0.85 each - Received Back 1 $5 +Up Reward and 4 $1 +Up Rewards = $1.60 Moneymaker

3 T.G.I.F Potato Skins $0.97 each

Received 3 $1 +Up Rewards = $0.03 Moneymaker

Used $6 in +Up Rewards from Previous Trip

Total Spent $0.81 - Total Saved $19.10 (96%)

Then I headed back the next day for one more round with the goal of receiving my resolution reward:

2 Zantac 24-ct $7.99 each

Used $5/1 coupons here
Final Price $2.99 - Received back 2 $2 +Up Rewards = $0.99 each

4 Hall Cough Drops $1.50 each

Used 1 $1/1 coupon here
Used 3 $0.50/1 coupons from ??? Sunday Paper Insert
Final Price $0.88 each - Received back 2 $1 +Up Rewards = $0.38 each

6 TGIF Potato Skins $0.97 each

Received Back 6 $1 +Up Rewards = $0.18 Moneymaker

Used $14 in +Up Rewards

Total Spent $1.30 - Total Saved $43.58 (97%)

HOT Buy on Kraft Cheese

2011-01-20T17:59:00.000-08:00

You can go here to print a coupon for $1/1 Kraft 2% Singles. Remember to print two per computer! Then head over to Safeway this week (1/19-1/25):

Kraft Cheese 16 oz. Singles (Limit 3) $1.99

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase
Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price $0.99 each

Thank you Hip 2 Save!

HOT Buy on Quaker Oatmeal

2011-01-19T17:20:00.000-08:00

Starting this Friday (January 21st) there is a new catalina offer on Quaker Oatmeal. This is a great pairing to Albertson's current Quaker Promotion. FYI - I did not inlcude this deal in earlier Albertsons post because I was unaware of the catalina and the below coupon did not come to our area. However if you have or are able to find these coupons, this is a fabulous deal! Here is how it works.

This week at Albertsons, you will save $3 INSTANTLY when you buy select Quaker products.

Purchase 5 Quaker Instant Oatmeals $2.50 each

Receive $3 INSTANT Savings ($0.60 per box)

Use 5 $1/1 coupons from 1/2 Red Plum

Final Price $0.90 each

Receive back a $3 Catalina for purchasing 5 Quaker Oatmeals ($0.60 per box), which makes this like paying only $0.30 per box!

Safeway Deals 1/19-1/25

2011-01-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

Fresh Express Salads 8-16 oz. bags .99

Onions - Jumbo Yellow .49/lb.

Oranges - Naval .69/lb.

Lucerne Sour Cream 16 oz. .99

Silk Pure Almond Milk 64 oz. (Limit 3) $1.99

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase
Use $1/1 coupon from 1/16 SS
Final Price $0.99

Coca Cola 2 Liter (Must buy 4) $0.99

Refresh Soda, 2 Liter $0.67

SoBe or SoBe Lifewater 20 oz. bottles $0.88

Pillsbury Brownie Mix 18.25-19.5 oz. $1.25

Use $0.40/1 coupon from 11/6 RP
Final Price $0.85

Quaker Instant Oatmeal 10.1-15.1 oz. $2.50

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/2 RP
Final Price $1.50

Safeway Mustard 16 oz. $0.99

Hot or Lean Pockets 6.5-9 oz. (Limit 4) $1.69

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase

All Detergent 32oz. 3x to 50oz. 2X Liquid $3.99

Use $1/1 coupon from 1/16 SS
Final Price

Kleenex Facial Tissue 110ct. $0.89

Use $0.50/3 coupon from 12/5 SS or 1/2 SS
Final Price $0.73

Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner 22 oz. (Limit 4) $1.99

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase
Use $1/2 coupon from 1/9 SS
Final Price $1.49 each

Tide Detergent 50 oz. 2X Liquid or 70-71 oz. Powder $5.99

Use $1/1 coupon from 12/26 PG
Final Price $4.99

Windex 26 oz. (Limit 4) $1.99

With in-ad Safeway coupon and $10 purchase
Use $1/2 coupon from 1/9 SS
Final Price $1.49 each

VAN DE KAMPS PROMOTION:

Buy (1) Van de Kamps Seafood item and (1) Birds Eye Steamfresh or C and W Item, save $2 instantly. Limit 1 per customer.

Birds Eye C and W Vegetables 11-16 oz. $1.99

$0.99 with purchase of Van de Kamp

Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables 11-16 oz. $1.99

$0.99 with purchase of Van de Kamp
Use $0.35/1 coupon from 12/12 SS
Final Price $0.64

Van de Kamps Seafood Selections 8-24.6 oz., frozen $3.99

$2.99 with purchase of Birds Eye product

FRIDAY ONLY

P.F. Changs Meals for 2 21-24 oz. $5.00

Use $1/1 coupon from 12/5 RP
Final Price $4.00

FRIDAY THRU MONDAY ONLY

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers 6.6-8 oz. (Limit 10) $0.88

Foster farms Breaded Chicken Selections 20-33.6 oz. $4.99

Safeway Select Pizza 14.25-32.7 oz. $2.99

Seafood - Waterfront Bistro Medium Raw Shrimp 2 lb. bag, Frozen $3.99/lb

Albertsons Deals

2011-01-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

Not much going on this week. Here is what I found:

Fresh Express Iceberg Garden Salad 12-oz Bag $0.99

Minute Maid Lime or Pink Lemonaide 640-oz $1.00

Betty Crocker Hamburger, Chicken or Tuna Helper $1.00

Use $0.75/3 coupon from 1/2 GM
Final Price $0.75

Mission Tortillas 14-17.5-oz $1.00

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish 6-6.8-oz Bag $1.00

Pillsbury Brownies 19.5-oz $1.00

Progresso Light, Reduced Sodium, High Fiber or Vegetable Classic Soups 18.5-19-oz $1.00

Use $1/4 coupon from 1/2 GM
Final Price $0.75

Ronzoni Garden Delight 12-oz, Healthy Harvest 13.25-oz or Smart Taste 14.5-oz Pasta $1.25

Use $0.75/1 coupons here
Final Price $0.50

Zone Perfect Bars $1.00

Use $0.55/1 coupon from 1/16 SS
Final Price $0.45

Ivory Soap 3-ct $0.99

Use $0.25/1 coupon from 1/16 PG

Did I miss any great deals at Albertsons this week?

Budget Talk

2011-01-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

I went out town this weekend with my friends and got myself a little behind at home, so I am going to do a very brief summary of my shopping this past week.

If you recall, I started the first week of the year going over my weekly budget of $50 by $30.27. So I started last week $30.27 in the hole.

I had the following shopping trips:

Sunday Shopping - Total Out of Pocket $9.41

Rite-Aid $3.70 Moneymaker - Total Out of Pocket $0.30

Grocery Outlet - Total Out of Pocket $7.97

Albertsons Doubles Transaction - Total Out of Pocket $2.96

Safeway 67% Savings - Total Out of Pocket $11.10

4 Lays Potato Chips

2 Welchs Juice

2 Hawain Juice

Gallon of Milk

Organic Sour Cream

Rosauers 61 % Savings - Total Out of Pocket $9.53

2 Large Jars of Nalley Elites

1 Santitas Tortilla Chips

1 Resers Tortillas

2 lbs Pink Lady Apples

1 Bunch Green Lettuce

3 lbs Navel Oranges

Rite-Aid - Total Spent $3.11

2 Stayfree
2 Sharpie 8-ct Packages
1 Sharpie Pen
2 Special K Cereals

Grand Total Spent for the Week: $44.38

This week, I ended up $5.62 under my weekly budget of $50, so my spending for the year to date is currently $24.65 over budget!

Albertsons Doubles Transaction

2011-01-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

In the Wednesday weekly ad insert, there were three Twice the Value (TTV) coupons. You can use one set of these per shopping trip and for each one used, Albertsons will match the value of your manufacturer's coupon up to $1.00. They will not match coupons valued at more than $1.

I have to tell you, I had the hardest time finding coupons to pair with my TTV coupons. In fact I only ended up using 2 out of the 3 TTV coupons I had with me. Here's what I did:

2 Packages Lance Crackers $2.00 each

Used 2 $1/1 coupon from SS (forget which date)
Used 2 TTV coupons
Final Price FREE

4 Finish 20-ct Powerballs $2.99

Used 4 $2.25/1 coupons
Final Price $0.74 each

1 Vitamin Water $1.00

Used $1/1 catalina coupon from previous trip
Final Price FREE

1 Scotts Wipes $2.49

Used FREE catalina from previous trip
Final Price FREE

Total Spent $2.96 - Weekly Allowance Remaining $29.36

Coupon Round-Up

2011-01-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

Coupons.com (zip code 21234) has released some great coupons! Go here to print the following and more:

Save $1 on any 1 Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup 24-oz or larger

Save $1 on any 1 Log Cabin Syrup 22-oz or larger

Save $1 on any 1 Angel Soft 12-Double or larger package

Save $0.75 on any 1 Roman Meal Bread

I'm hoping the above syrup coupons and bread coupon may make for some great deals with Albertsons Twice the Value coupons!

Thank you A Thrifty Mom

Hello There... It's Been Awhile

2011-01-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

Before your days of couponing were you a regular at your local Grocery Outlet? I probably use to go there at least 2-3 times per month and thought I was a savings superstar! Ahh those were the days... not! Now I really know what a savings super star is! With a couple of hours devoted to clipping coupons and matching them up to the weekly sales, my savings has sky-rocketed and I rarely step food inside Grocery Outlet. Occassionally its fun to go inside and see what kind of deals are to be had though =)

Last night my three year old was pleading with me for chocolate milk! Its his favorite and I haven't had any for quite some time because there just hasn't been any decent sales. He was already upset because he wasn't invited over to a friends house to play like his older brother so I thought I would indulge him. I decided to head over to Grocery Outlet and see if they had any chocolate syrup for a decent price.... I don't think $1.99 is a decent price, but we were there, so I took a quick tour of the store to see if there might be some other great finds:

Chocolate Syrup $1.99

Ketchup $1.49

Crinkle Cut Fries $2.49

Kid Cuisine Meals $0.50 each

Total Spent $7.97 - Total Weekly Allowance Remaining $32.32

TONY'S® PIZZA 99 DAYS OF MORE

2011-01-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

Go here and enter Tony's Pizza 99 Days of More Sweepstake! You can enter this contest daily and every day they are giving away great prizes: a Wii bundle, Visa gift cards, 99 pizzas and more. Plus you will be entered into the Grand Prize $500 Visa Card!

While there, look for the coupon link, which will give you a $1/2 Tony's Pizza coupon. The best part is that these coupons are good until May! I will be holding onto mine in hopes of working them into a great scenario during all the frozen foods sales the month of March!

I haven't had any luck thus far! Let me know if you win anything =)

Children's Place Monster Sale

2011-01-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Monster Sale (60% off selected items) at Children's Place just got even better. Today only you can score FREE Shipping with code FSSNOW and you can also receive an additional 15% discount with code UPROMISE1C.

I was able to get the above sweater for only $8.29 plus I got a henley for $8.29 and two pairs of jeans at $8.47 each. My grand total with tax was only $35.70! And that comes straight to my door, which makes it even better.

I also received a $1 credit on my Ebates account (3%). What is Ebates? Its an online shopping site that gives you up to 26% back every time you shop online. Its also a great source for online promotional codes that give you any more discounts! Go here to find out all about it!

Thank you Hip 2 Save!

What's On Your Shopping List?

2011-01-11T20:27:00.001-08:00

Good News is that there will be three Twice the Value Coupons in Albertsons ad tomorrow, but the bad news is that I didn't really see any hot deals. I'm gonna have to lay the ad out along side my coupon binder and go on a hunt for some good match-ups! FYI - they will be good for 4 days (Wed-Sat).

Safeway - Did you think I was crazy? I was starting to wonder! Apparently I was reading a weekly ad for an area other than ours! These prices are not good in teh PNW! Except for the Juice! Sorry!!!
Signature Hoagies $1.99 wyb 2

I have leftover ham in the fridge so these would be nice to have on hand for sandwhiches over the weekend.

Safeway Select Artisan French Bread $0.99

Pork Loin Chops $2.99-lb Buy 1 Get 1 FREE

Would be nice to have some additional variety to my stockpile of meat other than chicken and ground beef.

Red Delicious Apples $0.57 lb

Down to our last orange

Blackberries 6-oz $1.00 each

Might be nice to have on my Special K

Welch's Juice $1.99 wyb 4

Use $1/1 coupon here (zip code 66046)

Let me know if you come up with some good deals at Albertsons! I hate to see those TTV coupons go to waste =)

Deliciously Cheap!

2011-01-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

How often do you calculate how much it cost you to make a meal? Tonight as I was getting out my ingredients, I did some rough math and here is what I came up with:

1-lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast $1.75

Marinated in Italian Dressing I made money buying

Julienne Potatoes I made money on last fall at Safeway

I cup milk $0.14 (2.19 per gallon/16 cups)
2 tablespoons I Can't Believe Its Not Butter which was also a moneymaker
Final Price of Potatoes $0.14

Can of Green Beans ?

This were super cheap. I got them on an instant savings deal and stacked with a coupon the store doubled. Seems like they were about $0.09?

So for roughly $2, I was able to feed my family of 4! I can't even get a coffee in the morning for that amount! I really love the awards of couponing =)

Rite-Aid $3.70 MONEYMAKER!!!

2011-01-11T17:43:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Rite-Aid? I currently have a large and building stash of +Up Rewards, still have my $10 Gift of Savings Reward and I am half way to my Resolution Reward of $20! However, what I love the most is how coupon friendly my local store has become!

Tonight I swung by to make some money buying Special K cereal and Motrin. I was too late on the Motrin deal... bummer! Here is a run down of my transaction:

4 Special K Cereals on Buy One Get One FREE Sale

Regular Price $4.79
Received 2 FREE from BOGO Sale
Used 2 BOGO FREE coupons here (took off $4.49 on one and $4.79 on the other - please see note below)
Final Price $0.30 for all 4 Boxes

4 Barilla Pastas $1.25

Subtotal: $5.30

Used $5 in +Up Rewards - Total Spent $0.30 - Weekly Allowance Remaining $40.29

I earned $4 in +Up Rewards for cereal purchase = $3.70 moneymaker

And I earned $5 in +Up Rewards for pasta purchase = FREE

Note:

I have to share a story from tonight. I had a cashier I had never been to before. He told me he could only accept one of my BOGO FREE coupons. I don't remember his reason but it had to do with them being on a BOGO FREE sale. I was very nice and asked him to remove them from my transaction and explained to him their coupon policy says they do and that I would come back later in the week when I had a copy (my binder was in the car and there was a line forming). He had to call a manager to override my transaction, so when she came up he asked her about the policy of using BOGO coupons with BOGO sales. She was super friendly. She said of course they could do it and instead of jumping in and ringing me up to get the line moving, she walked him through the process. I pointed out to her the coupons were only good up to $4.49 but she forgot when she keyed in the first coupon and keyed it as $4.79. I did point this out but she said she would just leave that one as is (I have a feeling it was more trouble than it was worth)!

Motrin Deal

Here's the deal I had planned on the Motrin just incase your store has it in stock!

Motrin 20-ct $3 each

Buy 2 and Use $6/2 coupon
Final Price $0, Get Back $4 in +Up Rewards
$4 MONEYMAKER

FREE Halls Cough Drops!

2011-01-10T12:32:00.000-08:00

Next Week (1/16) at Rite-Aid you will be able to get FREE Halls Cough Drops!

Buy 2 Halls Defense $1.50 each

Use 2 $1/1 coupon here
Use $0.50/1 RA Video Value Coupon
Pay $0.50 Get Back $1 +Up Reward for Buying 2
Final Price $0.50 MONEMAKER!

Thank you Maven of Savin'

Sunday Shopping - Spent $9.41, Saved $47.41 (83%)

2011-01-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Rite-Aid

8 Stayfree $2.50 each

Used 4 Buy One Get One FREE coupons
Used 4 $1/1 coupons

Subtotal: $6.00

Used $6 in +Up Rewards, Received $8 Back in +Up Rewards = $2 MONEMAKER

Total Spent $0 - Total Saved $31.92 (100%) - Weekly Allowance Remaining $50

Go here for the print links to the Stayfree coupons. I think the BOGO coupon is no longer available but there were some in yesterday's paper. I also found $1/1 coupons I had from a coupon book so you may want to check your binder!

Safeway

Value Red Hot Dog Buns $0.89

Value Red Hamburger Buns $0.89

Bread $1.50

Regular Price $1.99
Card Saving $0.49

Lucerne 2-lb Cheese Brick $4.49

Regular Price $4.99
Card Saving $0.50
Used $1/1 coupon from here
Final Price $3.49

Gallon of Milk $2.19

5 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $0.99 each when you buy 5

Used $1/3 coupon here
Used $0.50/2 coupon here
Final Price $0.69, I earned $3 Catalina for purchasing 5, makes them like paying $0.09 each

Subtotal $12.41, Used $3 Catalina, Total Spent $9.41, Total Saved $15.49 (62%)

Weekly Allowance Remaining $40.59

Rough Start?

2011-01-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

Last year, I set myself a weekly spending of $5o per week for all of our groceries and toiletries. I was so surprised by how easy it was to stay under this budget! So I knew it would be an easy and reasonable balance going into the New Year. My focus this year is to make sure I have a balance of food so I never have problems of planning meals, where in the past year, I focus so much on the great deals, that I find myself lacking when it comes to produce, meat, dairy and other staples necessary to complete a meal. However, during the holiday season, I really neglected the grocery list, so it was a rough start to the year! I ended up spending $80.27 the first week of the New Year! Well over budget, however, I know I will get my spending back in line over the next few weeks. In addition, I have more than this on the way to me from Rebates, so no worries. Here is a break down of my week:

Rite-Aid Money Making Monday - Spent $3.50

Albertsons Double Deals - Spent $16.40

Mega Meat Purchase - Spent $40.93

Cheap Gum and FREE Wet Ones - Spent $0

Dog Food - Spent $19.44

All though I went over budget, I was able to get a few months supply of dog food, not to mention stock up on meat and a few lunch items for the boys! All in all a fair week of spending =)

Save $3 On 10 Weight Watcher Products

2011-01-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

The first of the year is usually a great time to stock up on health and diet food. I am hoping to see a great buy on these and this $3 off 10 coupon here may help make a great deal even better!

Save $1 on Shout Color Catcher

2011-01-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

I probably would never buy this product, but hey if I could get if for FREE, I would definitely give it a try! So maybe with this $1/1 coupon here, I might find me a FREE or better than FREE deal!

Save Me From the Spending!!!

2011-01-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

Are you starting to wonder if I'm some crazy woman who just can't stop shopping? I am! It seems like I have done a lot of shopping this week and you would think my meat purchase earlier this week would have scared me off until next week! Well, I can't let my darling doggy starve, can I? I spent so much of my time the last 4-6 weeks focused on shopping for the holidays, I neglected to shop for myself and my family and now I am starting the Year off with above average spending.

Here's what my grocery trip tonight looked like:

1 15-lb Purina Beneful Healthy Weight Dog Food $15.99

5 Boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $0.99 when you buy 5

Used $1/3 coupon here
Used $1/2 coupon here
Final Price $0.69 each, Plus I earned a $3 Catalina to use on my next shopping trip, which makes this like paying $0.09 per box

1 Kleenex $1.50

Used FREE coupon received on a previous trip
Final Price FREE

2 Swiss Miss Cocoas $2.00 each

Used 2 $2/1 coupons (no longer available)
Final Price $0.00

Grand Total $19.44, Total Saved $18.47 (49%), Plus I earned a $3 Catalina to use on my next shopping trip. Weekly Allowance Remaining $(30.27).

Cheap Gum at Rite-Aid

2011-01-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

My husband can really go through the gum! He puts a piece in everytime we get into a vehicle to go anywhere, its as if he can't drive unless he is chomping on a piece of gum, which is why I love me a good sale on gum!

Here's What I did:

12 Packs Trident Xtra Care Gum $1.00 each

Used 4 $1/3 coupons from 1/2 Smart Source
Final Price $0.67 each, Plus I earned a $1 +Up Reward for every 2 I purchase, which made this like paying $0.17 each

2 Wet Ones

Used 2 $1/1 coupons $1.99 each
Final Price $0.99 each, Plus I earned a $1 +Up Reward for each one purchased, which made this a $.01 MONEYMAKER

1 Bag of Holiday Candy Clearanced to $0.25

Total: $10.23, Used $10 +Up Reward from Previous Trip, Received Back $8 in +Up Rewards

Final Total $0.23 - Paid with a rewards card - Weekly Allowance Remaining $(10.83)

Is it Really FREE?

2011-01-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

I have only had the chance to watch TLC's Extreme Couponing show one time. I have a lot of opinions on the show, some good, some bad, but one thing I really like about this show is how much it has opened up the dialogue on what couponers feel is extreme and what is not. It has really made us reflect on our shopping habits.

I pride myself on being a practical person. I don't usually go to an extreme unless the deal is something I know my family or friends will enjoy and use or if its a Moneymaker! When it comes to a deal I can make money on, I will pretty much buy anything! I'm not going to drive miles out of the way and use an hour or more of my free time to do it, but if its on my way and I have the coupons, then there is no harm, no foul to make money on something even if I won't use it. I can almost always find someone who will use it.

I won't, however, buy everything that's FREE. If you really think about it, it's not really FREE. For example, had the toothpaste I purchased here been only a "FREE" transaction and not a Moneymaker, I probably would not have done the transaction. First reason is I don't need toothpaste. I have at least a one year supply of it already. The second reason is I still have to pay sales tax which would have been $1.30, so its really not FREE. Its a great deal if you need it or know you will donate it. If you're thinking what's $1.30, its only pocket change, but minimal transactions like this over and over adds up to more than pocket change. Finally, I know that its highly likely I will be able to find another moneymaking scenario before my current stockpile is depleted, so I don't want to pay even a little money now on something I could make money on later.

I also thinks its very important to value the nonmonetary aspects when determining our purchase limits. Will this result in an unplanned shopping trip and if so, what would you have done with that time? Am I driving out of my way or can I make this happen on a normal route to someplace I already have to go? Also where will you be storing your latest haul? I'm not gonna sacrifice time with my children. use up the gas, or run up the mileage on my car, scoring deals to build up a massive stockpile.

I can tell you right now, there is no way I would ever sacrifice an entire room in my house to a stockpile! A 3 bedroom home cost more than a 2 bedroom home, right? That spare bedroom in your home definately has a value to it, probably at the very least 10% of your purchase price, so if you are making that room unusable space, then you are devoting 10% of your mortgage/rent payment every month to your stockpile. One might justify it by saying they weren't using the space, but why not downsize to a house that fits your needs and save! What could you use that room for? It could be a hobby room, a play room, a peaceful place to find quiet, a guest room that would allow you to spend your time with family and friends from afar. I think its a smart idea to consider how much room in your home you're willing to sacrifice to your stockpile and when that stockpiles starts to grow outside those boundries, its time to reevaluate your spending habits, no matter how minimal they may already be.

What thoughts do you use to keep yourself in control and from going into the extreme?

Rite-Aid Moneymaker

2011-01-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

Next Week (1/16-1/22) you can make money while stocking up on Stayfree pads at Rite-Aid. Here's how it works:

Buy 2 Stayfree Products 2 for $5 ($2.50 each)

Use Buy One Get One FREE coupon here
Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price $1.50, Get Back $2 +Up Reward = $0.50 MONEYMAKER!

Thank you Hip2Save!

There She Blows!

2011-01-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

I blew my weekly allowance on the first week! I'm not just saying this... but I really expected this to happen. My weekly allowance of $50 is a guide to help me stay within reasonable spending limits for my family's needs. I know from experience that many weeks I can stay under this allowance and I have some rebate money coming that will make up for this overage. It was well worth going over budget this week too because we were completely out of meat, making it very hard to put together a meal! It was either put out some dough in exchange for meat or put out lots of dough eating out! Here's the 411 on my meat purchase:

Safeway currently has a BOGO FREE Sale on Select Meat Products

Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Chuck Pot or Shoulder Roast

Regular Price $4.29 per lb
Sale Price with BOGO discount $2.15

Eating Right Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Regular Price $3.49 per lb
Sale Price with BOGO discount $1.75

93% or 90% Sirloin Lean Ground Beef

Regular Price $4.49 per lb
Sale Price with BOGO discount $2.25

I ended up purchasing 2 3-lb roasts, approximately 8 lbs of lean ground beef and 7 lbs of skinless, boneless chicken breasts. My total spent was $40.93. Weekly Allowance Remaining ($10.83).

Tip: A few months ago, after months of no good buys on ground beef prices, I decided to check out the price of meats at Costco. I looked at the packs of meat I use to buy there, a package of 5 individual 1-lb frozen bricks that are 93/7 lean ground beef. The price works out to about $2.75 per lb, which I have determined is a decent price. The cheapest I seem to be able to get ground beef anywhere else is $1.79 per pound (and thats rare) for 80/20. I realized that for about $1 more per meal, I was feeding my family meat that was much healthier and therefore well worth the extra money. I was quite pleased to get the above meat for $2.25 per lb!

Albertsons Double Deals

2011-01-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

I was able to get in 3 Albertsons transactions today on my way to, from and in between work! Not amazing deals but some convenient items for my husband to have on hand for lunches during his down time and staying home with the kids!

1st Transaction
All items are from the buy 10 participating items for $1, Save $2 INSTANTLY promotion.

9 Chef Boyardee Pastas $1.00 each

Used 3 $0.35/3 coupons from 1/2 SS

Used 3 Twice The Value Coupons (see note below)

1 Rosarita Refried Beans $1.00

Received $2 INSTANT Savings

Total Spent $5.90 ($0.59 per item) - not a "stockpile" price but a decent price to stock up on.

2nd Transaction

All items are from the buy 10 participating items for $1, Save $2 INSTANTLY promotion.

9 Hunts Puddings $1.00 each

Used 3 $0.60/3 coupons from 1/2 SS

Used 3 Twice The Value Coupons (see note below)

1 Rosarita Refried Beans $1.00

Received $2 INSTANT savings

Total Spent $4.40 ($0.44 per item) - not a "stockpile" item but a decent price to stock up on

3rd Transaction

All items are from the buy 10 participating items for $1, Save $2 INSTANTLY promotion.

3 Hunts Puddings $1.00 each

Used 1 $0.60/3 coupon

Used 1 Twice the Value Coupon (see note below)

3 Chef Boyardee Pastas $1.00 each

Used 1 $0.35/3 coupon

Used 1 Twice the Value coupon (see note below)

3 Hunts Manwhich $1.00 each

1 Rosarita Refried Beans $1.00

Received $2 INSTANT Savings

Subtotal $6.10 ($0.61 per item)

Also purchased one Coffee-Mate 16-oz Creamer for $2.00, used a $1/1 coupon here & 1 Twice the Value Coupon to make FREE.

Total Spent $6.10

Grand Total Spent: $16.40 - $30.10 weekly allowance remaining

Albertsons Twice the Value Coupon

Occassionally Albertsons will release Twice the Value Coupons. They usually release three at a time, usually on a Sunday, and they are usually only good for three days; Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the last days of their weekly sales. These coupons can be paired with any manufacturer coupons up to $1 in value, and Albertsons will match the value of that coupon. For example I used a $1 manufacturer coupon on the coffee-mate in the above transaction and used a Twice the Value coupon, which Albertsons gave me credit of $1 on, making my $2 creamer FREE after coupons! Had my coupon been for $1.50 off 1, I would not have been able to use the Twice the Value coupon as my manufacturer coupons exceeds $1 and I would have ended up paying $0.50 for my creamer. Had my coupon been for $0.50 off 1, I could have paired it with the Twice the Value Coupon to receive and additional $0.50 savings, making the creamer $1 after coupons. You can use three per transaction.

Money Making Monday

2011-01-03T18:18:00.000-08:00

Today I made $3.50 on my lunch hour for picking up 8 tubes of Aqua Fresh Toothpaste at Rite-Aid! Here's what I did:

Aquafresh Toothpaste 5.6 to 6 oz. Actiflex Manual Toothbrush 1 ct. $2.50 each

Receive $10 +UP REWARD when you spend $20 (before coupons) on this product

4 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste $2.50 each

4 Aquafresh Advanced 2x Whitening Toothpaste $2.50 each

Subtotal Before Coupons: $20.00

Used Rite-Aid $4/$20 coupon (see note below)
Used Rite-Aid $1.50/1 coupon Video Value Coupon (see note below)
Used 4 $1/1 Aqua Fresh Extreme Clean coupons from here and here
Used 4 $1/1 Aqua Fresh Advanced 2x coupons from here and here

Total After Coupons: $6.50, Received Back $10.00 +Up Reward, $3.50 Moneymaker

I used $3 of +Up Rewards earned on a previous transaction, so my total out of pocket was $3.50 Weekly Budget Remaning $46.50.

Rite-Aid Video Value Program

Rite-Aid Video Value Program is a program in which you receive Rite-Aid coupons on featured products in exchange for watching videos/commercials of that featured product. For example, if you register or already registered with the Rite-Aid Video Value Program and you watch the Aqua Fresh video clip, you will earn the $1.50 Rite-Aid coupon that I used in the above deal. During the month of January 2011, when you watch all 15 Beauty video clips, you will also earn a coupon to save $4 on a $20 purchase at Rite-Aid, which is how I earned the $4/$20 coupon I used in the above deal. Both these coupons are Rite-Aid coupons and can be used in addition to manufacturer's coupons!

New Year! New Inspiration! New Dedication!

2011-01-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

Its a new year and a time to start fresh. I have been pretty down on myself the last few weeks and the fact that I have let my dedication to couponing decline. My coupon inserts accumulated to a scary pile (I haven't even been buying extras) and my binder was full of expired coupons so I would dread finding a coupon, let alone putting together a deal scenario, so the past couple of months, unless its an easy deal requiring only a printable coupon, I have been passing the deals over! Its time to get it in gear!

Yesterday I took a couple of hours (maybe 3) and got my coupons organized. It wasn't as bad as I thought, because half the coupons were expired! So with the exception of yesterday's inserts, I am organized and ready to pounce on any great deals that come my way! Its my hope (I'm not making resolutions... unless hoping and intentions are resolutions) that I stay organized because I know that its much easier to stay on top of it than trying to play catch-up every month or two. The past couple of months have really taught me how vital organization is to the art of couponing. I think I already knew it, just easy to forget! Its a must!

Much of the inspiration to rededicate myself to couponing came from TLC's Extreme Couponing show! Did you guys watch it? I wish I would have wrote this shortly after watching so I could comment more. I just have to say that there were a couple of couponers I really did think were extreme, however I totally get them! There is a lot of joy to be had about a stockpile and a great deal! I don't have a room in my house I can sacrifice to a stockpile, so my stockpile has to be able to exist in my garage or my closets. This helps me limit the extreme I will go to when something is free or a moneymaker! Also I am a working mom, so my time is limited and I need to make the most of it.

Another thing I have learned and will be focusing on this New Year, is the importance of shopping from a list of what we need. Its great when you can do multiple transactions of a great deal and build up a stockpile, however, I have spent too much time focusing on the "stockpile" deals and not enough time on what we need. I end up with a disjointed stockpile that I can't even make a meal out of.

If you followed my blog this time last year, then you may remember I gave myself a $50 per week shopping budget. I was quite surprised by how well I was able to stay under this $50 per week allowance! I just wish I had continued to track my budget. I gave up late last Spring for whatever reasons. I am now reinstating this budget. I had thoughts that maybe I could get super thrifty and cut this down, but I would rather focus on bringing in groceries that are balanced and support meal plans - produce, meat, milk, breads, etc.

In case I have lost you with all my ramblings, my goals, intentions, or one may say resolutions, for this New Year in terms of couponing are: to keep organized, shop from a list, and make sure my list consists of items that will complete a meal!

What are your goals or resolutions for this year? Please share, I would love to know how you plan to stay on top of it!

Weekly Grocery List

2010-11-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

I'm not gonna lie. I'm quite disappointed in the Turkey specials this year. Albertsons requires you to spend $50 in one transaction in order to get a Turkey at $0.27 per pound! For those of you who followed my blog before I redesigned it, know that I rarely spend $50 in one transaction. In an effort to take advantage of Twice The Value Coupons and promotions, I usually do several smaller trips in a week rather than one big trip.

I'm leaning more towards Safeway this year for my turkey. They are offering turkeys for $0.29 per pound and you only need to spend $25 in one transaction. The only problem is that I haven't been thrilled with their sales ad the last couple of weeks. I have spent way too much time trying to find a bargain at Safeway this week, just to get a turkey!

I was able to find a couple of worthy items at Safeway that I think I can use towards my minimum $25 spending.

Tillamook 2-lb Bricks $3.99

Use $1/1 coupon here (zip code 83501)
Final Price $2.99

Lucerne Eggs 18-ct Large Eggs $1.99

Lucerne Sour Cream 16-oz $1.50

Golden Sweet Pineapples $1.99 each

Please remember when planning your trips that the store always uses your precoupon total to determine if you met the promotion's spending requirement, including their in-ad coupons.

I haven't spent much time looking at Albertson. I'm focused on Safeway and a turkey this week! However, rumor is that Albertsons is releasing another round of Twice the Value coupons on Sunday, so if thats true, I may revisit Albertsons and see what I can round up on coupons.

Albertsons Twice the Value Coupons

2010-11-14T20:59:00.000-08:00

I had read a rumor that Albertsons would be releasing Twice the Value (TTV) coupons every weekend through Thanksgiving, but since I didn't know how to confirm it, I left it unsaid, however, with the release of TTVs three weekends in a row, I would say its a safe bet!

A couple of deals I will be doing:

Tillamook Cheese 2-lb brick $4.99 with in-ad coupon

Use $1/1 coupon here
Use TTV
Final Price $2.99 each

Maxwell House Coffee $5.99

Use $1/2 coupon from Holiday coupon book in-store
Use TTV
Final Price $4.99 each

Tip: I don't know if you would consider this a fabulous price, but as I mentioned almost a week ago, I'm completely out of coffee so any price would pretty much do at this point, and its better normal!

I also might rething the Super Savings Spotlight this week. While sorting coupons this weekend, I found more Betty Crocker Cake Mix & Frosting coupons and with TTV coupons, this becomes an awesome deal.

Buy 5 Cake Mixes $0.99 each

Buy 5 Frostings $1.49 each

Subtotal: $12.40

Use 5 $0.75 on Cake Mix and Frosting coupons

Use 3 TTVS

Receive $5 INSTANT savings for purchasing 10 partipating items

Final Price $1.40 for all 10 items!

Hot California Deal

2010-11-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

I overlooked the Albertsons deal on California Kitchen Pizzas this morning. I wasn't expecting the coupon or the Catalina offer to match up to the individual pizzas, but it looks like it just might. Here is how to make the deal work.

This week at Albertsons, the California Kitchen Pizza Smalls 5.5-10.2 ounces are on sale for $2.50 each.

Buy 4 Pizzas for a total of $10
Print and use 4 $1.50/1 coupons
Final Total will be $4.00, but you should receive a $3 catalina back to use on your next shopping trip.

I have not tried this but it appears the individual sized pizzas are producing the catalina. Also remember that you can only print two coupons per computer, so to get a total of four coupons, you need access to a second computer!

I will let you know once I tried this how it worked out for me! Please let me know if you try it first =)

What's on Your List?

2010-11-10T07:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Albertsons for releasing Twice the Value coupons this past Sunday, the last three days of Albertsons sales last week were awesome! I hope you were able to take advantage of their Instant Spotlight Savings last week to stock up on cooking soup, gravy and waffles! My cupboards and freezers are full of all three items, which will really help me create fast and easy meals over the winter.

There's not much going on this week that I am too excited about so I will probably take a back seat to shopping and just hit a couple of places. Here is what's on my list for the week:

Albertsons
Farm Fresh Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast or Tenders 3 lb bag $5.64 (with in-ad coupon)

Tillamook Brick Cheese 2-lb $4.99 with in-ad coupon

Use $1/1 coupon from here
Final Price $3.99

I will probably wait until Sunday before purchasing just incase they release Twice the Value coupons again.... you never know.

I'm not certain I will purchase from their Instant Savings Spotlight (Receive $5 INSTANT saving for every 10 participating items purchased) this week but here are the items that look the best to me.

Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix or Traditional Brownie Mix $0.99

Only $0.49 each after INSTANT savings

Keebler Graham Cracker Pie Crust $1.49

Only $0.99 each after INSTANT savings

Gold Medal Flour 4.25-5 lb Bags $1.49

Only $0.99 each after INSTANT savings

Peter Pan Peanut Butter 16.3-oz $1.49

only $0.99 each after INSTANT savings

Rosauers

Gallons of Milk $1.79 each (limit of 2)

Fuji Apples $0.69 lb

A&B Foods
Pork Sirloin Roast $1.98 lb

I am also on the hunt for a good coffee deal, but haven't found one yet. Anyone know of one? I'm completely out!!! Help!!!

FREE Clabber Girl!

2010-11-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Starting Sunday, November 7th (Ends Saturday November 13th), you can get FREE Clabber Girl baking powder at Walgreens!

Clabber Girl Baking Powder 4-oz $0.50 with in-ad coupon (limit 4)

Use $0.75/1 coupon from SmartSource.com (zip code 77477)
Final Price FREE - Possible Overage?

Excited to see what other great sales come around on our favorite baking items! Have you seen any great ones?

Albertsons Deals 11/3 - 11/9

2010-11-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

I have found my self stuck in a rut again, so this week I am hoping to climb back up on solid ground. A month ago, I was so proud of myself for getting my coupons organized and jumping back on the trifty wagon, but I have once again fallen off and the only thing I know to do is to slowly fight my way back on! I am committing myself to at least an hour a day to clip and/or organize my coupons so I am able to locate them easily to take advantage of some thrifty deals.

I have found that if I don't know where to begin on locating my coupons, that I let many thrifty deals go by. Then a friend of mine will brag about their stockpile of crackers or soup they just scored and I start to beat myself up about letting that deal get away from me due to my disorganization! There's been a few deals this past week that I just know in a week or two I am going to torment myself for not taking advantage of. So to avoid any additional torture, I must get back on track, especially with all the baking and snack sales that are bound to come along with the Holiday season!

I am excited to see that Albertsons has some pretty good stock up prices this week on items I want and they are part of the Savings Spotlight promotion so most of them, you don't even need a coupon for! These are a some of the items I hope to purchase this week:

Mentos Gum $1.00

Use $1/1 coupon from 10/10 Smart Source
Final Price FREE

I just need to locate my coupons =)

Coffee-Mate Creamer 16 oz. $1.50

Use $1.50/1 coupon from here
Final Price FREE

Always happy to find printable coupons, especially when my coupons are in such disarray!

Instant Savings Spotlight

Save $5 INSTANTLY when you purchase 10 participating items (Savings of $0.50 per item). There are many participating items, but I am only listing the ones I plan to purchase. Please see the weekly ad for all items. You can receive multiple savings in one transaction. For example, if you purchase 20 items, you will receive a total of $10 in INSTANT savings. The prices are listed before/after INSTANT savings.

Albertsons Broth 14.5 oz $0.85/$0.35

Albertsons Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom Soup $0.79/$0.29

Pepsi 2 liters $1.29/$0.79

Heinz Gravy 12 oz $1.29/$0.79

Use $1/3 coupon here
Final Price $0.46 each

Dole Pineapple 20 oz $1.25/$0.75

Albertsons Vegetable Oil 24 oz $1.49/$0.99

Eggo Waffles 10-ct $1.49/$0.99

Use $1/2 coupon from here
Final Price $0.49 each

What great deals do you plan on rounding up this week? I would love to know!

Albertson Twice The Value Coupons

2010-11-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

What a nice Halloween surprise! Not only did Albertson put out Twice the Value (TTV) coupons yesterday, but they gave out 4 instead of the usual 3. This will really help out our savings if we can get an $1 savings per trip!

Even with my busy day yesterday, I was able to get in one trip. I purchased items from the Instant Spotlight Savings promotion (buy 10 qualifying items, receive $5 INSTANT savings). Here is what I did:

4 Coffee-Mate Creamers (32 oz) $3.49 each

Used 4 $1/1 coupons from Safeway's $70 coupon book (no longer available)
Used 4 TTV coupons
Final Price $1.49 each

4 Nestle Morsels $1.99 each

Used 2 $1/2 coupons from here
Final Price $1.49 each

2 Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Doughs $2.49 each

Used 2 $1/1 coupons from here
Final Price $1.49 each

Received $5 INSTANT Savings

Used $3 Catalina from a previous trip

Total Spent $6.90

For more idea on how to use your TTV coupons, visit Krazy Coupon Lady or A Thrifty Mom. Happy Shopping!

Frigo-tastic Savings!

2010-10-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Coupons for string cheese don't come around often and right now there are two different print links available for Frigo string cheese!

Go here to print a $1.50/1 coupon. You can print this coupon twice per computer. Once the first print has finished click your browser back button twice to get the second print.

Go here to print a $1/1 coupon. This link to this coupon is at the top of the left hand side of your screen. Again print this coupon twice.

I printed both these coupons today and the $1.50 coupon is good through March 2011 and the $1 coupon is good until December 10th of this year! I will let you know if I find a great sale price on this item!

FREE Movie & Oreo Creams

2010-10-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

TODAY ONLY text TREAT to 727272 and you will receive at text back with a RedBox code for a FREE movie rental. You must use this code today as the code will only be valid until 10 pm CT 10/14/2010.

If your local Walgreens has a RedBox kiosk like mine does, then swing inside and get some FREE Oreo Creams while there!

Oreo Creams Single Serve (3-0z) $0.89 each

Use $1/1 coupon here
Final Price FREE

Helpful Tips: You should be able to print two of these coupons per computer. Also, the coupon will probably beep as the value of the coupon is more than the product, but they should adjust the coupon down (as their coupon policy states) and allow you to use it. I would recommend you print their coupon policy and keep with your coupons just incase you run into any problems.

I'm thinking this may be a great reason to have a movie night tonight with my son. We already have plans to go out to dinner so why not follow it up with a movie and treat! I am headed out of town for the weekend on a girls trip and wanted to do something special with him anyways so now I can do it for FREE!

Get Your Teeth Fresh & Clean and Make Money!!!

2010-10-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

This week at Rite-Aid (Saturday the 9th is the last day) you can make money purchasing toothpaste!

Crest Toothpaste with Scope (4 oz) is $2.69

Use $1/1 coupon from the Smart Source insert from the 9/26 Sunday Paper
Pay $1.69 each and receive back a $2.69 +Up Reward
Final Price = $1 MONEYMAKER

What you need to Know: Rite Aid +Up rewards are Rewards that print on the bottom of your receipt. You can cut these off your receipt and use them on your next shopping trip like cash. You can earn multiple rewards in one trip. If you use your rewards towards another purchase of the same item you will not earn a new +Up reward, so you want to save these rewards to use on purchases of other items. On this +Up reward offer, you can earn multiple on one transaction. In the same insert, there is also a $0.50/1 coupon you can also use!

Here is what I did:

6 Crest Toothpaste $2.69 each

Use 3 $1/1 coupons
Use 3 $0.50/1 coupons
Final Price $1.94 each

4 Packages (8-ct) Hershey's Candy Bars $1.00 each

1 Tugaboo Diaper Travel Pack (2-ct) $0.89

Used $1/1 coupon from previous purchase
Cashier adjusted down to $0.89
Final Price FREE

Total Before Coupons: $21.03

Used $4/20 Rite-Aid Coupon from the Video Value Program
Used $5.39 in Manufacturer Coupons
Used $6 in +Up Rewards from a previous Huggies Purchase

Total After Coupons: $5.64

Earned Back: $17.14 in +Up Rewards

Here's my math on how much money I made: I started with $6 in +Up rewards and ended with $17.14, an increase of $11.14 but I spent $5.64, which makes this a

Only Time Will Tell

2010-10-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

What do you all think about Albertsons' Coupon Roundup? This is when Albertsons will take coupons between $0.25 and $0.99 and automatically round them up to $1 and any coupon $0.24 or less, they will quadruple the value. This promotion has not come to our area yet, but I would like to give it a try and see how I like it in comparison to their Twice the Value coupon promotions.

One side of me feels like you get a better value when they give you up to $1 for each of my coupons, where the Coupon Roundup, I wouldn't receive that much of a benefit on one coupon. I can potentially save $2 on just one item. However, the other side of me realizes the benefits of their Coupon Roundup program. Albertsons will round up an unlimited number of coupons in one transaction, so that would cut down on the number of trips I would be making to Albertsons, saving me time and gas. Also I don't know how many coupons I don't end up using each month because they just weren't a high enough value to warrant a great deal. Now I may be able to utilize these lower value coupons on a great deal. I'm curious to know your thoughts.

I have heard that some Idaho Albertsons will be running a Coupon Roundup promotion the entire week! If it hits our area, it may be a perfect time to test it out. However, I am not expecting it as we sit on the border of Washington and usually follow their lead. Last time the Coupon Roundup came to Southern Idaho, Twice the Value coupons came to our area, so I am hoping that we may have the TTV coupons here all week! Can't wait to check my paper tomorrow!

Take a Deep Breathe... It's All Good!

2010-10-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have moments of insanity when a deal doesn't work out well? Then comes the moment of clarity that you realize your upset over a couple of dollars and that you spent less than you would have a year or two ago? Man I have those moments weekly! And every time it gets frustrated and I have to talk myself away from the edge of insanity.

Tonight after work, I was already frustrated, because I had hoped to get in stops at both Albertsons on my way home, but due to a sllloooowwww moving line, I did not have time to get two runs in. I was also upset because a good friend of mine had given me some great Darigold coupons that I had planned on using on that second trip and I was feeling guilty because I wasn't going to be able to use them. Time to talk myself away from the edge... coupons are good until December, there will be plenty of time to use them.... Twice the Value coupons will come around again.... possibly even tomorrow.... you did good and got several great trips in this week.... breathe.... breathe.... it's all good.

Crud I had planned on getting my egg noodles on that second trip to Albertsons, but thats okay because I want to swing by Safeway and use my $1/1 Oscar Mayer hot dog coupons with the Safeway in-ad coupon to get some FREE coupons and I have to do it today so my coupons don't expire. I make a mad dash into Safeway grab my noodles and hot dog packages, go to checkout and my coupons beep. The cashier takes a look and my coupons were actually $1/2 coupons! Why did I think it was off one? He says, "I can only take one". I told him I wasn't sure if I still wanted them but he, moving at the pace of lightning, already had me totaled out and acted as if he hadn't even heard me, so I handed over my cash. Now irritated again, my mind is spinning, "Do I got to Customer Service and return the Hot Dogs or do I just go." Running behind schedule, I just grabbed my bags and head to my car. Here I am AGAIN on the edge of insanity upset because I just paid for hot dogs.... I haven't had to pay for a package of hot dogs in almost two years! Then the moments of clarity came - you only spent like 65 cents on each package, you use to pay a couple of bucks per package!

How crazy can we get at times? Please don't tell me I'm the only one! Do you ever get mad when you get a really great buy then your kids or your husband chow it down like its water? Then you have to take a deep breathe and realize you only paid like 25 cents for it!

I would love to hear your moments of insanity! Please share!

Sunday Shopping

2010-10-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Now that we have approached the fall season, I am falling back into my normal routine of Sunday shopping. We spent so much time playing this summer, that very little else got done during the weekends, leaving me feeling stressed and scrambling all week long, then needing another playful, leisure weekend to recover.... such a vicious cycle =) But now fall is here and our Saturdays are still full with the boys' sport activities and other community activities, however, we are spending our weekends at home with lazy Sundays. This is a perfect opportunity for me to get a few shopping trips in early in the morning and have the rest of my day for laundry and all that other fun and wonderful stuff!

In anticipation of Alberstsons Twice the Value (TTV) coupons, I headed straight to my paper box Sunday morning and was pleased to indeed find them in my Sunday paper. I headed out to do the following transaction:

6 Del Monte Vegetables $0.59 each

Used $1/5 coupon & doubled (not available locally - I ordered from Ebay)
Final Price $1.54 for all 6 or $0.26 each - received $2 catalina - $0.46 Moneymaker!

2 Darigold Chocolate Milk Singels (16-oz) $1 each

Used $1/2 coupon from & doubled
Final Price FREE

1 Danimals Yogurt 4-ct $2.49

Used $1/1 coupon from Albertsons Fall Savings Coupon Book (no longer available)
Final Price $0.49

Total Spent $2.03 - Received $2 Catalina = Like Paying $0.03!

While at the store, I noticed they did not have any extra TTV coupons out, so I decided to buy some extra papers. It was a good week for coupons so I thought it was worth the extra copies and that way I would have extra TTV coupons incase Albertsons didn't put any extras out. I first purchased a Spokesman Review hoping they would have the Red Plum since our local paper did not - no such luck. I was really wanting that $4 Shick coupon!

Now that I had more TTV coupons, I headed to different Albertsons and did these two transactions (broke a set of TTV coupons into 2 transactions to take advantage of Del Monte vegetables on my limited TTV coupons).

Transaction 1:

6 Del Monte Vegetables $0.59 each

Used $1/5 coupon & doubled
Final Price $1.54 for all 6 - $0.26 each - Received $2 Catalina = $0.46 Moneymaker!

1 Coffee-Mate Creamer (16-oz) $2.29

Used $1/1 coupon from Safeway $70 coupon book & doubled
Final Price $0.29

Used $2 Catalina to Pay - I had a brain dead moment and thought my total was going to be over $2 before tax. Total ended up only being $1.83 but it still accepted my catalina and applied the difference to sales tax. Final Price = $0.17 Moneymaker!

Then on my way home, I stopped by Walgreens:

4 Nivea Lip Care $0.99

Used 2 $2/2 coupons
Final Price FREE

1 EOS Lip Care $3.00

1 Gallon of Milk $2.89 (ouch)

Used $5 RR from Previous Week

Total Spent $0.85 - Plus I earned a $3 RR

Since Sunday, I have been back to Albertsons several times to do the Del Monte vegetable deal. This deal after coupon and TTV, ends up being $1.54, so I have been combining it with either Danimals yogurt at $0.49 each after coupon and TTV or with Coffee-Mate creamer at $0.29 each after coupon and TTV, then using my $2 catalina earned from previous transactino to get my out of pocket total between $0.12 and $0.52. This is a perfect way for me to stock up on vegetables, yogurt and creamer! I just have to make sure to be aware of expiration dates!

Super Cheap Progresso Soup and Betty Crocker Potatoes

2010-10-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Safeway has a really good buy on Progresso Soup and Betty Crocker Potatoes this week. They are priced $1.99 each, but you receive $4 of INSTANT savings for every 4 you purchase, making them only $0.99 each.

Because I regularly load electronic coupons onto my Safeway card, I had 4 $0.50/2 Progresso coupons and 4 $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Potatoes loaded on my card - an additional $4 of savings! If you don't know about electronic coupons,then you will want to go here and educate yourself. It is well worth your time.

Here's What I did:

4 Progresso Soups $1.99

Used 1 $1/4 coupon from coupons.com
Used 4 $0.50/2 e-coupons
Received $4 INSTANT savings
Final Price $0.24 each!

4 Betty Crocker Potatoes $1.99

Used 2 $0.50/2 coupons from coupons.com
Used 4 $0.50/2 e-coupons
Received $4 INSTANT savings
Final Price $0.24 each!

Bad Deal Gone Good

2010-09-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

As couponers, we are all too aware of a good deal gone bad - your perfectly strategized shopping plan ruined by products out of stock or a cashier refusing coupons. Don't you just hate it when things don't go according to plan? It can almost ruin a day, can't it? This week, I had to take back a deal I use to think was horrible and determine that under current circumstances it was a great deal indeed!

A little over a year ago, Wal-Mart (WM) built a new Super Store. We had a WM, but it was a standard WM with limited groceries, no tire center, optical shop or any of the other services found inside Super WM. I have never been a big WM shopper but my friends who frequent there were excited for the one stop shopping the new Super store would provide. They also built it across from Costco so my friends and family who live in the rural areas nearby were excited to get their two main stops next door to one another. But then it arrived.....

My friends were disappointed with the limited amount of products available and prices. They found that some of the items they specifically went to WM for were no longer available or the variety they bought wasn't available any longer. WM use to be the place you went for almost everything but now its just not the same and its left us disappointed. The one thing I did always go to WM for was their photo studio. They had fantastic package prices and the packages had all the photos I needed so I didn't have to buy extra sheets. Guess What? The new and wonderful Super WM does not have a photo studio!

I took my youngest son to Sears a couple of weeks ago for photos, paid three times as much and got a third of the photos I use to get at WM. I was so disappointed! Now onto the point of my story.

My oldest son brought home the order form for school photos last week. The last couple of years I looked at this order form and thought no way am I paying that much for a package of photos. This year, I was so excited to get this form and see the package prices. The most expensive package is $30 which is what I spent at Sears a couple of weeks and it has all the photos I need in it AND I don't have to make an appointment and use a precious hour or two out of our busy week or sit through the upsell script. All I had to do was send a check to school with my son! Its my best deal of the week!

Move it Tater! I'm Getting Mashed Over Here!

2010-09-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

Were you able to score any of the Ore-Ida fries for only $0.49 per bag at Safeway last week? I hope so because I don't think I have ever gotten them this cheap before. I ended up doing 3 transactions for a total of 12 bags. I wish I could have made another trip or two because these will definitely go fast in our house!

Myself and a couple of friends and co-workers are always making quick trips into the grocery store on our way to work or on the lunch hour whenever there is a great deal going on and we had the freezer at worked crammed with taters this week! I love the deals that get us all excited and recharged!

Safeway has another great FREEBIE this week that's worth a stop.

Nestle Coffee-Mate Creamer 16-oz $0.99 with in-ad coupon, limit 3

Use $1/1 coupon from $70 Dairy Coupon Book
Final Price FREE

Tip: You will need to:

Take your weekly Safeway ad with you or grab one on your way into the store
Find the Coffee-Mate coupon inside the ad to show cashier at checkout (they usually do not make you clip them out). You can buy 3 at $0.99 each with this coupon but no more than three and there is a $10 minimum purchase requirement. This means that you need to have at least $10 worth of products in your cart before coupon is applied and the price of the creamer counts towards this $10 limit. For example, if the creamer without coupon is $2 each (a total of $6) you will also need at leat another $4 of other products to use the coupon.
Find the Dairy Coupon Book (if you don't already have it) and tear or cut out the Coffee-mate coupon which is towards the back of the book. You will need one coupon from the Dairy coupon book for each creamer you are purchasing. So if you plan on purchasing a total of three, you will want to try to get 3 coupon books so you will have 3 coupons.
If you are able to do all of the above, you will end up with 3 16-0z Cartons of creamer for FREE! Just make sure to check your expiration dates so you will be able to use the creamer before it expires!

Last Day for These Safeway Deals

2010-09-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of Safeway deals that you don't want to miss and today is the last day to get in on them! These are great deals too since the only coupons you need are right there in the store!

Ore-Ida Frozen Potatoes $1.99 with in-ad coupon (limit 4)

Use $3/2 coupon from Safeway $70 Coupon Book (found in freezer & dairy sections)
Final Price $0.49 each

Buy 6 Pillsbury Regfrigerated Crescent, Grand or Sweet Rolls $1.00 each

Use $1/2 coupons from Safeway $70 Coupon Book
Final price $3 for All 6 - Get Back $3 Catalina = FREE after Catalina

Tip: Inside each coupon book is a $1/2 Crescent Roll coupon, $1/2 Grands coupons, & a $1/2 Sweet Roll coupon, so if you only have one coupon book, mix and match the Pillsbury items to use all coupons. If you don't know what a Catalina is, go here and read my post about coupon types!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

2010-09-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on a quiet afternoon, shortly after getting my 3 year old down for his nap, there was a knocking on the door. This loud knock, set my dog off into a barking rant, and as my husband went to answer the door, I took a peek out the window to see what obnoxious soul had the nerve to disrupt my quiet home and risk startling my toddler out of his nap. Peering between the slats of the blinds, I see two sets of legs and in their arms is the Sunday paper. Occassionally our local paper hires teenagers to go door to door offering free papers in hopes of selling suscriptions. I'm thinking to myself, Jeez don't the give these kids a list of homes who don't already have subscriptions? Don't they understand people might be upset to have someone coming to their door during their quiet Sunday afternoons? I could call and complain like some manic mother, but would they really understand the frustrations of a child being woken from a nap. That would just be silly and besides there was no harm done - they are gone, my dog is done barking, and my son is still sleeping, but oh no, wait......

I go running upstairs saying to my husband "Who was that? Was that the tribune? Did you get a paper?" He looks at me like I grew two heads in the laundry room, "No, I told them we already had the paper?" Ah man! "You should have taken the paper! There were really good coupons today!"

Yes, I gave my husband a good dose of crazy yesterday :-)

Braggin' Time

2010-09-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Jeez the nerve of me, right? I take a vacation from my blog and then my first post back and all I want to do is brag... thats just not very friendly is it? Once I get done with my bragging, I think you will understand that this is a moment in a working mom's year that a gal just needs to share a rare moment with someone who understands.

First let me start by sharing that this past Friday was my 10 year wedding anniversary! Yay for us! How did we celebrate? Dinner out with the kids... yep that's right, you heard me, an ordinary weekend night out for dinner with two children in tow! However, I must say (er I mean brag) that my boys were fairly well behaved so all in all it was a great night. Now my husband and I really aren't big gift givers. We usually celebrate our birthdays by picking out our own gifts, something we really need or want but feel guilty about spending the money on any ordinary day. This anniversary, even though a milestone, we celebrated with dinner and our usual exchanging of cards. You see the wonderful thing about marriage is having someone in your life who really is in sync with you. I have been saying to friends and fellow couponers how desperately my freezer needs defrosting and one day this week I came home from work to find my husband had defrosted the freezer! Its was the perfect gift, even though I don't think he intended for me to think of it as a gift! My first response was, "Wow, now I can do some more shopping!" A joke of course, but I just found out there is a great buy on Ore-Ida fries, so I am seriously so relieved of my new found freezer space! Check it out!

My second item to brag about is my cleaned carpets! Actually they're not worth bragging about since I spent a good portion of my weekend pushing and pulling a heavy cleaning machine over my rugs, without much improvement, but at least I can say they are clean and I knocked off one an item from my every growing things to do list! Our carpets have to be 20 years old and in desperate need of replacement, but with two small boys, it just doesn't make sense to replace them at this point in our life. I just need to tough it out a few more years!

My final item in need of bragging, which is truly the rarest of them all, is my FINISHED laundry. Oh yeah, that's right, woo hoo, my hampers are empty, my laundry is washed, dried, folded and put away! I almost don't believe it! I don't remember the last time I accomplished this! The summer months, packed of so much activity, led to my weekly panic of going to bed on Sunday nights not knowing if I was going to be able to find clean clothes for myself or the rest of my family to wear come morning. Then I followed it with a stressful week of cramming a load of laundry into our hectic evenings, with not enough time to actually fold it, but to just let it pile up on the downstairs table, waiting for Friday afternoon to arrive so I might hopefully get it folded and put away before the wrinkles permanately set in.

After my list of brags, I hope you can understand my need to get it out there to someone who will understand how truly great of a weekend this was. I was starting to feel that there just weren't enough hours in my week to get it all done (which there really isn't) but there is enough to get a LOT done. I think I just forgot how much could be accomplished in a weekend. We really took advantage of the summer season and spent our weekends enjoying the outdoors and time with our family and friends, which is what summer is all about so I have no regrets to all those wonderful days on the beach and the river!

I just let myself get overwhelmed with the list of chores that piled up while we were out playing. It feels really good to have a weekend of accomplishment, a reminder that I can get a handle on things when I use my time wisely! I almost forgot to mention that I also got my coupons organized. I am not completely done, but I would say I am about 80% there, which is much closer, than where I would have ranked myself a week ago, which I hate to admit was probably only about 25%!

I hope everyone else had a great weekend and that the fall season is getting everyone else back on track from a summer of play, because before you know it, the Holidays will be here!

Coupons 101 - Electronic Coupons

2010-04-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

Some grocery stores allow you to load electronic coupons onto your store card that are automatically deducted when you purchase those products. Here are three sites you can go to load coupons onto your card:

cellfire.com

Participating stores: Baker's, City Market, Dillons, Fry's, Fred Meyer, Gerbes, Hilander, JayC, King Soopers, Kroger, Owen's, Pay Less, QFC, Ralphs, Scott's, Smith's, Carrs, Dominick's, Genuardi's, Pavilions, Randall's, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Vons, ShopRite, Giant Eagle, Shop 'n Save

shortcuts.com

Participating stores: Safeway, Carrs, Dominicks, Genuardis, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Vons, Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Frys Food, Fred Meyer, Food4Less (Fremont), Gerbes, Giant Eagle, Hilander, Jay C Foods, King Soopers, Kroger, Owens Market, Pay Less, QFC, Ralphs, Shop 'n Save & Smith's.

pgesaver.com

Participating stores: Safeway, Carrs, Dominicks, Genuardis, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Vons, Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Frys Food, Fred Meyer, Food4Less (Fremont), Gerbes, Hilander, Jay C Foods, King Soopers, Kroger, Owens Market, Pay Less, QFC, Ralphs & Smith's.

If you have a local grocery store that is a participating store, then it is well worth your time to load the coupons onto your store card. The only store in my area is Safeway so I load all the coupons available at all 3 sites onto my card.

Electronic coupons will be deducted from your card only one time no matter how many participating products you purchase. For example, if you have only one $1/1 Ore-Ida e-coupon on your card but you buy 4 bags of potatoes, only $1 will be deducted from your total (based on my experience at Safeway).

All electronic coupons will be decuted from your card for the participating products your purchase. For example, if you have two $1/1 Ore-Ida coupons on your card but only purchase one bag, both coupons will be decuted from your total (based on my experience at Safeway).

You can also use paper coupons in addition to e-coupons loaded on your card. For example, if you have one $1/1 Ore-Ida coupon on your card and you have a $1/1 paper coupon, you can use both coupons even if you are only purchasing one bag!

Coupons 101 - How to Organize Coupons

2010-04-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Now that you have started to compile your coupon stockpile, you will want a way to keep them organized. You should organize them in a manner that works best for you. I started with a smaller accordion style folder. This worked for awhile, but as my stockpile grew, I out grew the folder, and then upgraded to the binder you see above. There is a nice deep pocket on the front of this binder that is perfect for keeping the weekly ads of the stores I frequently shop at. This allows me to carry around my ads from home in which I have marked items and/or written notes in.

When you open the binder, on the left side of the binder is an accordion style filing system. The file pockets are perfect for storing the weekly coupon inserts from the Sunday paper or any internet printed coupons until I have time to clip them.

On the right side of the binder I have inserted sheet protectors designed for baseball cards. There are nine pockets to each sheet which I slip my coupons into. This allows me to flip through my binder and be able to see all my coupons without flipping through them. These sheets are broken into categories by indes tabs. The categories I use are: Produce/Bread, Cereal, Dairy, Groceries, Frozen Foods, Drinks, Snacks, Paper, Household, Personal Care, Pet, Baby, and Healthcare.

My binder has a place for me to store pens, scissors, calculators, and notepads. This way I have all the supplies with me that may come in handy. You would be surprised at how often I need my scissors while shopping.

One of the features I like best about my binder is this clear zip pocket. Sometimes I plan my trip(s) out the night before. I then paperclip my list to my coupons and insert it into this pockets, so all I have to do is grab this pocket from my binder to take into the store instead of my entire binder.

My binder is working well for me. The only complaints I have when it comes to my coupon organization is my lack of ambition to keep my coupons organized. I have the tools in place, but sometimes I fail to take the time to get everything orderly. My advice (based on the examples set by friends) is to clip your coupons on Sunday and get them filed away into your binder immediately. Once you have this task done, your coupons are organized in a fashion you can quickly flip to, rather than stuffed into your binder in a manner that causes you to have search for a particular coupon. In the long run, it saves you time. I am working on this because I know once I can get in the habit of keeping everything organized, I will be able to plan and execute my trips much more successfully, saving me not only time but money.

Please share your coupon organization system with us by leaving a comment below. We could all use other ideas!

Coupons 101 - What You Need to Know

2010-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday Newspaper

You can find coupon inserts in most Sunday papers. Coupon inserts will vary from region to region, as well as the coupons inside the inserts. The two most popular inserts are the Smart Source (SS) and the Red Plum (RP). Occassionally General Mills and Proctor and Gamble will put inserts in the Sunday paper too.

Some areas offer a subscription package that will deliver multiple Sunday papers. I personally only have one Sunday paper delivered, but I will purchase additional papers, depending on the quality, number, and value of the coupons for that week.

Internet Printable Coupons (IP Coupons)

The internet is becoming one of the best sources by far to find coupons. These are my two favorite sites to print from:

:: coupons.com

:: smartsource.com

The general rule is that you can print most coupons twice per computer, however, some coupons can only be printed, but occassionally you will find a coupon that will allow several prints! The print limits are per computer, so if your home has more than one computer, you can print the coupon up to its limit from each computer!

Please do NOT photocopy the coupons. This is against the rules! IP coupons are very convenient and abuse of the systems in place will decrease the number of coupons manufacturers make available to us via the internet.

If there are specific items on your grocery list that you don't have coupons for, try checking the manufacturer's websites to see if they have any coupons available.

You can also get buy coupons from ebay! Its against the law to sell coupons, but many people will advertise coupons on ebay and charge you a fee for their time to find, clip, advertise, and mail the coupons. There have been a few instances in which I have done this for coupons on items we use regularly.

Inside Stores

Believe it or not, you can find a lot of coupons while you are shopping! Sometimes you can find coupons right on the product (peelies). You can peel these coupons from the product and use on that trip, or if you have a better coupon in your binder, you can wait until you get home, peel the coupon and save for a future purchase.

Another place to find coupons in the store are in coupon boxes attached to the grocery shelves. These coupon boxes are commonly referred to as blinkies because they usually have a blinking light on them.

Coupons can also be found in the form of a tear pad, which are either located on the shelves or on a display.

Catalinas are coupons that print at checkout. Many stores have a machine from the Catalina Marketing company next to their registers which spit out coupons while the cashier is processing your transaction. The coupons that print are triggered by the products your purchase.

Family, Friends and Co-Workers

Don't be afraid to ask the people you know if they use their coupons, and if not, if you could have them.