Tuesday, December 29, 2009

December Shopping Totals

With all the craziness with the holidays, etc... I didn't really shop that much this month it seems. Here's my totals:

Walgreens -$9.57
Jewel - $19.63
Meijer - $12.18
Other - $17.62

Total spent $59.00.

I do have some coupons I want to use up tomorrow before they expire, so I will update this one more time this year!

Rebates...

Last week I received one of the $10 rebates I have been waiting on from Kraft.

I also mailed off $30.97 in rebates today and have another $10 that I just pulled my receipts out for and will mail in tomorrow.

So that's $10 added back to my grocery budget and another $40.97 in rebates I'm waiting for.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Surprise $20 Rebate Check received!

So I've been waiting on this $20 Kraft rebate check for months now... I finally called Kraft last week to find out what the deal was, as my other coupon friends had already received theirs!

Supposedly the rebate center never received my rebate and NO they will not take the photocopy that I made of my submission materials. BUT - the Kraft company decided they would send me a $20 check instead for the trouble!

YAY!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Great freebies by Text!

There are a few great freebies you can sign up for with your cell phone using the ShopText service. Just text the codes below to 467467 for you freebies!

-Text COOKING to get a free Holiday Recipe Booklet from Unilever.

-Text COFFEE for a free sample of Folger’s Gourmet Coffee.

-Text NESTLE for a free sample of Nestle Morsels.

-Text FREE7UP for a free 2-liter bottle of 7-Up or Canada Dry.

Standard text message rates do apply.

Back to shopping...

So I'm back to shopping this week!  There's just a few too many great deals to skip it.  Here's a taste of what I'm getting:

JEWEL
There's a catalina promotion going through 12/16 - Buy $15 of participating General Mills and Pepsi products and get $5 catalina.  I haven't done all the legwork for this yet - but I'm betting there will be great deals here!

Gillette shaving cream $1
$1 off shaving prep item (Proctor & Gamble insert 11/29)
FREE!!  (I'm gonna buy a bunch for my daughter's preschool and the food pantry)


Coffee-Mate creamer $0.99
$0.50 coupons from newspaper
$1/2 coupon from updating my Jewel card a few months ago
FREE!!


MEIJER
Maxwell House coffee $1.79
Catalina deal:
Buy 2-3, get $1
Buy 4 or more, Get $4

Instant deal: Buy 3, get a free 5 lb Pioneer sugar
I also have a $4 off coffee coupon - I'll  buy 6 coffees and use 2 coupons.  So I will pay about $1 for the coffee and will get a $4 catalina back, not to mention the free sugar!

Crystal Light on the go packs $2
$1 Meijer mealbox coupon (www.meijermealbox.com)
$0.50/2 tearpad coupon (will double to $1)
Final cost $0.50 a box

Coke 2 Ltrs $1
$1 winetag coupon


Jello Gelatin $0.55 (regular price - not on sale)
$1.25/3 tearpad coupon
Catalina deal:
Buy 5, get $2 catalina
So I will buy 6 of them ($3.30), use 2 coupons (minus $2.50), and pay $0.80.  Then I will get a $2 catalina back.  The Jello will be donated to the food pantry and I will get to use the "extra" money on other items I need for my family.
 

Target
Buy 5 Glade holiday scented candles, Get $5 gift card.  I have various coupons to match up with this promotion.

Buy 5 participating Keebler snacks, Get $5 gift card.  They are on sale for $2 each

$1 peelie coupons 
Pay $5 for 5 packages and get a $5 Target gift card back. 

Starbucks coffee $7 ea
$4 off coffee coupon
Buy 3, Get $5 Target gift card.
I'll buy 3 packages ($21), use 3 coupons (minus $12).  I'll pay $9 and get a $5 gift card back.  So it will be like $4 for all 3 packages - or $1.33 each

I will most likely do these promotions in separate transactions so I can use the gift card from one promo to pay for the next. 

Walgreens
Now through Saturday - every time you spend $25, you will get a $5 Register Reward (like a catalina).  The $25 is after all Walgreens coupons, but before manufacturer coupons.  This is limit one per transaction - so if you're buying $50 worth of stuff - split it up between 2 transactions so you can earn 2 of the Register rewards.


Nabisco Crackers at $2 ea
Buy $10 worth, Get $3 RR (Register Reward)
$1/2 coupon from Nabisco Holiday booklet
$1/2 Walgreens coupon from Diabetes booklet (found in pharmacy area)
Pay  $6, Get $3 Register Reward  - so final cost of $3 for 5 packages ($0.60 each)
I plan to do this twice and then send in for $10 rebate from Nabisco (Buy 10 items, Get $10 rebate)

Triaminic at $5 ea Thin Strips 14 pk., Liquid, 4oz., Decongestant Spray, .67 oz.

Buy 2, Get $5 RR
$2 coupon from S 12/6 or S 10/8
$2 Walgreens coupon from Healthy Savings booklet
Pay $2, Get $5 RR

Toblerone Chocolate $1.50 ea
$1 coupon from S 11/22
$1/2 Walgreens coupon from December book (in store by sales flyers)
Final price FREE when you buy in multiples of 2 

$4.99 RR wyb Neutrogena Men’s Skin Care at $4.99 free 


Just For Men Touch of Gray Hair Color at $6.99
Earn $6.99 RR
$2 printable coupon & Free after rebate offer 

Conair Brushes or Scunci Hair Accessories at $2
Earn $2 RR
 
Renu Multi-Purpose Solution Twin Pack, at $9.99
Earn $9.99 RR
$2 printable coupon 

Stim-U-Dent, 100 pack at $2
Earn $2 RR



Stayfree Feminine Care Maxi 16-24 pk, or Ultra Thins 16pk, at $1.99
Earn $1.99 RR
$1 printable coupon


Chex Mix $0.99
$1 coupon





 


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

November Totals

I finally tallied up my purchases from November:

Jewel-Osco - $15.58 ($55.58 total; Paid $40 on gift cards)
Schnucks - $18.61
Meijer - $14.96 ($34.96 total; Paid $20 on gift cards)
Walgreens - $14.99 ($44.99 total; Paid $30 on gift cards)
Target - $0.00 ($18.76 total; Paid all using gift cards)
Various stores - $7.29

Total cash out of pocket for November = $71.43

Looks like I am over budget by about $100 - with $23 of rebates still coming. I am doing MUCH better than I thought I would! The one week of no shopping will help with December totals. And I'm debating doing it again!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

More FREE music!!



Saturday, December 5, 2009

Like free music?

More free mp3 downloads!

25 free downloads from Amazon - one per day until Christmas:
Amazon 25 Free holiday downloads

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Just a little bit of shopping...

So I've been doing pretty good with this no shopping thing...

But I had to go to the store since we were out of milk.  That's all I was gonna buy - but I noticed the bread was marked down to $0.25 a loaf - so I picked up 4 loaves to stick in the freezer.

Still not bad - 2 gal of milk and 4 loaves of bread for $5!

Monday, November 30, 2009

No shopping this week...

SO I have challenged myself to NOT go shopping this week (besides milk - which we shop for a couple times a week).

It seems like a slow week at most stores.  There are a few deals I'd like to hit at Walgreens - but I'm gonna fight the urge!

I've been saying I'm gonna go without shopping for one week for a while now - but I'm gonna finally do it!

Wish me luck!

$3 worth of free mp3 downloads on Amazon...

Amazon has a great freebie available all week.  Click here and use code MP34FREE to get $3 in MP3’s absolutely free!!

Amazon also has a list of free mp3 downloads here.

Enjoy your free music!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Rebates!! In and Out

I received $80 in rebates in the mail this past week!!!  YAY!!   A couple of these I had all but given up on - they were from a mix of places, including Kraft & Kelloggs. 

*ALREADY POSTED* About 2 weeks ago I also received $100 worth of Kellogg's checks to be used for toys, electronics, books, movies, and something else I can't remember.  I had to buy specially marked packages of cereal for these.  For every 3 boxes I bought - I received $10 worth of certificates!  I've used a couple of these at Target already for toys for Christmas!

I will also be sending out some more rebates in the mail tomorrow.  I have $10 from Nabisco (buy 10 boxes of crackers), $10 from Coinstar (cash in $40 of coins, get $10 bonus), and $3 from Estancia wine ($3 rebate for turkey).  So another $23 coming soon (hopefully)!

A lot of times I forget to send in my forms or miss the deadline or lose the receipts, etc.  But this is a great way to get some return on your money!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

October Totals - half way thru November

OK - so I know it's about half way through November...  I've had all of my October receipts piled up for 2 weeks now - and I have FINALLY added them all up! 

Thanks to the gift cards I received last month, I was able to keep my out of pocket expenses this month!

Schnucks - $39.59 OOP ($64.59 total minus $25 paid with gift cards)
Kroger - $18.70 OOP
Walgreens - $28.99 OOP ($78.99 total minus $50 paid with gift cards)
Meijer - $15.48 OOP ($40.48 total minus $25 paid with gift cards)
Jewel - $20.77 OOP ($120.77 total minus $100 paid with gift cards)

Total spent on gift cards $200
Total spent OOP $123.53

On a side note - These totals include 64 cartons of ice cream purchased for the food pantry.  There was an awesome deal on these on Halloween and spent a lot of time at Jewel (all 3 of them in town).  I purchased other things as well on the same receipts so I didn't separate them out of my totals.

I am out of gift cards now, but am expecting another $75 in rebates still.  I also have some new rebates to send in when I get the chance (hopefully before the postmark deadline LOL).

YAY - Rebates received!

On Saturday I received $100 worth of rebates in the mail!

My husband called while I was out about and told me - I wanted to rush home to get it!

That brings me back into the black for my budget!  YAY!!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

My Little Pony Deal - less than $15 for FOUR!

This week:: Toy’s R Us has Hasbro My Little Ponies Buy 2 Get 1 Free, starting at $6.49.
use:
-$5 off $20 My Little Pony purchase printable
Buy:
(4) My Little Ponies at $6.49
-$5 off
printable
-$6.49 for free Pony
Total Due: $14.47 for 4!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Scream!

I wasn't able to get to my computer to blog about this deal over the weekend, but I wanted to share it with you guys anyway!

Jewel had Breyer ice cream on sale Buy One, Get TWO free.  The first one cost $6.69.  So 3 Breyers ice cream for $6.69 is a pretty good deal if you ask me!  There were also $0.75 coupons from a recent newspaper insert.  I only had 2 of those - but made sure to use them!

I had read online that if you bought 6 ice cream you'd get $15 back in catalinas!  So I started doing the math:

$40.14 = 6 ice cream at $6.69
-26.75 = instant savings of $13.38 X two
$13.90 = out of pocket cost (before tax)

Earn $15 in catalinas!  (To use on just about anything in the store!)

That meant FREE ice cream!  So my mom and went to Jewel in the morning and each did a transaction of 6 ice cream.  That would take care of us for quite a while! 

Later I read online that if you bough 9 ice cream, you'd get $30 in catalinas!!  So I did the math again and found that it would cost $20.07 (before tax) and I'd earn $30 back!  So I called the director at the food pantry to see if they could use any - she said YES - how about 36 of them!  Back to Jewel we went!  Once we delivered those - the pantry realized they could fit 27 more in the freezer!  So once again - back to Jewel!

When all was said and done:

93 ice cream
$100 in catalinas leftover (I had started the day with $24 and had bought some other things too)

This was done at 3 different Jewel stores, so we didn't wipe out any store of stock - but it was FUN!  Now I just have to find a way to resist eating it all so I still fit in my clothes for the holidays!  Unfortunately I didn't think to take a picture of the pantry's freezer!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

$2 costumes at Old Navy!!

A just read online that Old Navy will have all Halloween costumes and apparel on sale in-store only for just $2 on Friday & Saturday (10/30 & 31).

Great for the last minute costume or time to stock up for next year!

I've bought Old Navy costumes in the past and they are very well made!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Free Grilled Chicken Today at KFC!

 If you are headed out anytime today (10/26) stop into any KFC and get a free peice of grilled chicken.

 No coupon or purchase necessary.

$10 off $10 purchase for online shopping = FREE items!

If you are a fan of online shopping there are two great coupons codes out right now.

JC Penney

At JC Penney.com Use code SWEETS4U and get $10 off any purchase of $10.  Choose ship to store to save a little on shipping.

Lands End

At LandsEnd.com use code LandsEnd and pin # 1124 to save $10 off a $10 purchase.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Chicago Tribune delivery deal!

A lot of people ask me where I get my coupons - they come from the Chicago Tribune! Much better coupons in there than the local paper.  And it's easy to get it for the same price as the local Pantagraph!

While reading my Chicago Tribune on Sunday there was an sticky note on the front that advertised a gift card giveaway!  They are giving away:

Grand Prize $1500.00 in Jewel-Osco gift cards
Runner-up prizes $500 in Jewel-Osco gift cards(4)


More details at: http://extras.chicagotribune.com/grocerygiveaway/

Thought I'd sign up for the drawing - it would be awesome to get those gift cards!  Here's how the conversation went this morning on the phone:

Me: I'd like to be entered in the Jewel gift card drawing.
Rep: Sure, I can help you with that.  What's your name, phone, address?
Rep: Are you a current subscriber?
Me:  Yes, but my subscription runs out in 2 weeks.
Rep: Would you like to sign up for 3 day delivery for $xx.xx a week?  And if you sign up for easy pay I can send you a Target gift card.
Me:  No thank you - I only read the Sunday paper.
Rep: I can get you the Sunday only for $1.75 a week and if you sign up for easy pay I can get you the same gift card deal.
Me: No thank you - I can buy the paper locally for $1 on Sunday.
Rep: How about $0.99 a week for the Sunday only?  With the same gift card offer for easy pay?
Me: SOLD!

So I will not be getting the Sunday paper delivered to my doorstep for $0.99 a week AND be getting a $10 Target gift card!!  It's a 13 week offer on the price.  But I know from experience that they will extend it for another 3 months since I'm on easy pay.  So that's 6 months at $0.99 a week (about the same price as I can buy it for here) AND a $10 Target gift card!  That's awesome in my opinion!!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Great deal at Jewel starting 10/8

Jewel has a BIG promo starting tomorrow.  You buy $10 and get $3 off instantly!  In the past these types of deals are mix and match (can have things from more than one price category) and they stack (you can buy $20 worth and get $6 off instantly).

Here's some coupon matchups for the items included in the ad.


Buy $10 get $3 off instantly 10/8-10/14


$1.00 items ($.70 each after savings)
Daisy sour cream, 8 oz.
Sparkle Paper Towels, 1 ct Big Roll.
$0.50/2 9/13 RP.
Scotties facial tissue
$0.50/3 8/9, 9/13 RP
Nursery water, 1 gallon
Softsoap liquid hand soap
Ultrabrite toothpaste, 6oz
Playtex disposable gloves, selected
$1.00 www.coupons.com (Use ZIP 30133)
$1.00/1 5/3 SS
Blistex lip balm or ointment
Duncan Hines brownie or cake mix
McCormick Grill Mates Marinade, Gravy, or Seasoning Mix
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest or Smart Taste Pasta
$1.00/2 c/o Healthy Harvest at www.Coupons.com
$1.00/2 8/2 RP
Zatarain’s New Orleans Style Rice
$0.75/2 9/13 RP
Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn
Bush’s Beans
Wet Ones Moist wipes 15 ct.
$1.00/1 here (not sure if valid on these packs). http://wetones.com/
7up, Dr Pepper, A&W, Squirt, 2 liters.

$2.00 items ($1.40 each after savings)
Sargento shredded cheese.
Glad Cling Wrap.
Hartz Crunch n Clean Cat Treats
$2.00/1 8/30
Irish Spring Bar Soap
$.50/2 9/27 SS
Colgate Wisp
$.50/1 Sept. AY
Select Blistex lip care
Hersheys Baking chips
Mott’s applesauce
Hormel Compleats.
BOGO Aug. AY.
$2.00/1 Oct. AY.
$.75/2 8/16 SS.
Sunsweet Pitted Prunes
Emerald Dry Roasted Peanuts


$2.50 items ($1.75 each after savings)
Nivea Kiss or Essential Lip Balm
$1.00/1 8/30 RP
Wet Ones Canister or Singles
International Delight Creamer.
Kozy Shack Pudding.
$.55/1 June, Aug AY.
$.35/1 10/4 SS
Nestle Cookie Dough.
$1.00/1 9/13 RP
Birdseye Steamfresh Vegetable Blends.
Eggo Bake Shop Twists, Pancakes, muffins, blueberry muffin tops, Toaster Sticks.
$.55/1 10/4 RP
Pepperidge Farms Toast or Cheese Bread.
$.50/1 10/4 SS.
Super Pretzel.
$.50/1 8/16 and 9/27 RP
Angel Soft Bath Tissue, 4 double roll pack.
Smart Balance spread.
$1.00/2 9/13 RP.
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.
$.50/1 10/4 RP.
Formula 409.
$1.00/1 8/30 RP.
Formula 409.
Glad Freezer Bags.
Glad Press and Seal.
Hartz Crunch and Clean Dog Biscuits.
Palmolive Dish Detergent.
$.25/1 9/27 SS.
$.75/1 Pure & Clear 9/27 SS
Softsoap Premium Liquid Hand Soap
Colgate Toothpaste selected (pictures Total).
$1.00/1 9/27 SS.
Ball Park Meat Franks
Hormel sliced pepperoni 5-8 oz.
Dinty Moore Stew.
Hormel Spam.
KC Masterpiece Barbeque Sauce.
Log Cabin Maple Syrup.
Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce.
$.50/1 8/23 RP.
Smart Balance Peanut Butter.
Sue Bee Honey.
Valley Fresh Chunk White Chicken.
Welch’s strawberry spread.
Mott’s 100% Apple Juice or Mott’s for Tots
Ocean Spray 100% Juice.
Snyders Pounder Pretzels.
IBC Soda 6 Packs.
7up or A&W 6 packs,
Oean Spray Cranenergy 64 oz bottles.
Clorox anywhere spray.
Sargento Finishers.
$.75/1 8/16 and 9/27 SS.
Smart Balance Oil Blend.
Breyers Disney yogurt.
$.75/1 9/13 SS.
Yo Crunch 100 cal packs.
$.75/1 8/2, 9/13 SS. $.50/1 July AY.


$5.00 items ($3.50 each after savings)

Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals.
$1.50/1 at Coupons.com.
$1.50/1 9/13 SS.
Snapple tea 12 pack bottles.
Woolite rug cleaner.
$1.00/1 9/20 SS.
CLR
Colgate Battery Powered Toothbrush.
Infusium Shampoo or Conditioner.
$2.00/1 9/20 SS, Oct AY.
Splenda granulated Sweetener 9.7 oz.
$.55/1 Oct. AY.
$1.50/2 8/30 SS.
Nivea for Women Body Wash.
$1.00/1 8/30 RP.
Schick selected disposable razors.
$1.00/1 9/13, 9/27 SS.
Gortons Fish Sticks, Portions, or Popcorn Shrimp.
$.40/1 9/13 SS.
$1.00/1 shrimp March AY.
Barber Chicken 10 oz.
Print $1.00/1 SmartSource.com.

This week's deals

So - wanna know what this week's deals are? I realize the week is half over, but I've finally gotten the chance to check out a few deals. Here's what I'm shopping for this week:

Meijer 10/4-10/10
It's Meijer brand sale week. There are some good deals on items, but I am skipping Meijer this week.

Walgreens 10/4-10/10

  • WEDNESDAY ONLY Walgreens Photo My Personal Movie Photo DVD 1 ct., $1 (Regular $19.99)

  • Crest Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening 6.4 oz 2/$4 - $2 RR wyb 2
    $1 c/o (PG 9/27)

  • Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion 6.8 oz $6.99 sale price get $6.99 RR

  • Oral-B Advantage 1-2-3 Toothbrush $3, Receive $3 RR wyb one
    Use $0.75/1 coupon from 9/27 P&G insert

  • Chapstick Fresh Effects ($2.99), Receive $2.99 RR

  • Robitussin DM To Go (2pk; $2.49), Receive $2.49

$2 c/o https://robitussin.wyethcoupons.com/pages/16

  • Dentek Roll Floss ($2.79), Receive $2 RR

-$1 Dentek Floss Picks c/o

  • Halls Refresh Sugar Free (20ct; $1), Receive $1 RR

BOGO c/o

-.75/1 Halls Refresh, SS 9/27
-.35/1 Halls 20 ct+, SS 9/27

  • Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System at $8.99; $6 RR
    -$4 Gillette Fusion PG 9/27 (makes it
    FREE plus overage)

  • $2 RR wyb Purell Hand Sanitizer 8 oz, at $2.99
    -$0.50 off Purell Product, any except 1 oz, SS 8/02

  • Playtex Gloves HandSaver or 10 pk All Purpose 99¢ w/ in-ad coupon
    -$1 off Playtex Disposable Gloves, any, SS 5/03, 6/28
    -$1 off Playtex HandSaver or Living Gloves, SS 5/03, 6/28

  • Color or Black Printer Cartridge Refill $9.99 w/in-ad coupon

  • Visine Eye Drops PSA $3.99
    Use $2/1 manufacturer coupon from 9/27 SS insert or $2/1 printable coupon (
    IE Link) (FF Link)
    Use $2/1 in-ad coupon
    As low as FREE after coupon

  • Trident Xtra Care Cum 14 ct., $1
    $1/3 Trident, Trident White, Trident Xtra Care Or Trident Splash Gum, Any Single Packs – 08-30-09 SS
    Earn $1 Register Rewards when you buy 2
    Final Price after Register Rewards: $0.34/each

  • Campbell’s Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup, $0.50
    $1/4 Campbell’s Condensed Tomato or Chicken Noodle soups, 10-04-09 SS
    Final Price: $0.25/each

  • Unilever Register Reward promotion
    • $17.92 when you buy 8 Dove Deodorant that are regularly priced $2.99, but on sale for $2.24
    • -$8 when you use eight $1/1 from 10/4 Red Plum insert and $1/1 printable coupons (can print two per computer)
    • Spend $9.92 plus tax, get $10 Register Reward. Get eight free deodorants after coupons and register rewards!

Schnucks 10/5-10/11

  • Barilla Pasta $1

$0.50 c/o doubled (S 8/23)

$0.75 c/o doubled (S 8/23)

  • Fruit2O $1

$0.50 c/o (S 8/23)

  • Green Giant Steamers $1

$0.40 c/o doubled (GM 10/4 or S 10/4)

$0.50 c/o doubled (GM 9/13 or S 9/13)

$0.50 c/o doubled (www.coupons.com)

  • Kleenex $1

$0.50/3 c/o doubled (S 10/4)

  • Freshlike Veggies $1

$0.35 c/o doubled (S 9/13)



Sunday, October 4, 2009

Over Budget!

Well - I am officially "over budget" for the year. I've gone over my $2000 budget by about $80 as of September. I am still waiting on roughly $150 in rebates to come back to me.

I've also been helping out some friends over the last couple months because they were going through rough times. They are back on their feet and are asking to pay me for my help! I said NO - I wasn't expecting anything in return for my help. They showed up earlier today with gift cards to my favorite stores and homemade baked goods!! It was a wonderful surprise!

My goal for October is to purchase everything using the gift cards - NO MONEY OUT OF POCKET! We will see how that works! I'm also hoping to get my totals up weekly again. Now that the beginning of the school year has calmed down - I'm hoping I can get this done more consistently now.

September Totals

Wow... lots of shopping at Walgreens this month! Here are my monthly totals:

Walgreens $66.60
Jewel $12.28
Meijer $37.93

Total spending for September = $116.81.

I am still waiting on my rebates. I should have sent them in before the last day! I think a lot of people wait until the very end - and then it takes longer to get the rebate.

I also shopped at Target & Kmart - but it was almost all for shopping ahead on Christmas gifts - not for day to day household needs.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Great Deals at Schnucks thru 9/4

Schnucks has a couple catalina deals going this week. Here are some coupon matchups and some great deals I've found:


Pringles – part of P&G promo – Buy $25, Get $5 catalina

Buy 20 cans

use 10 c/o $0.50/2 doubled (PG 9/27)

Earn $5 catalina

Net cost $10 for 20 cans or $0.50 ea


General Mills catalina – Buy 5 items – Get $3 catalina (like getting $0.60 off each item)

  • General Mills cereal $2.50

$1/2 c/o S 9/27

Final price $1.40 ea

  • Betty Crocker Muffin Mix $2

$0.50 doubled c/o GM 8/9

Final price $0.40 each

  • Betty Crocker Brownie Mix $2

$0.75/2 c/o doubled to $1 (S 8/23)

Final price $0.90 ea

  • Cascadian Farms granola bars $3

  • Nature Valley granola bars $2.50

$1/2 c/o (S 9/13; GM 8/9)

$0.40 c/o doubled (GM 9/13)

$0.50 c/o doubled (GM 8/9)

$0.70/2 c/o doubled to $1 (GM 8/9)

Final price ala $0.90 ea

  • Fiber One granola bars $2.50

$0.40 c/o doubled (GM 9/13)

$1/2 c/o (S 9/13)

Final price ala $1.10 ea

  • Betty Crocker Warm Delights 3/$5 ($1.67 ea)

$1/2 c/o (S 9/13; GM 8/9)

$0.50 c/o doubled (GM 9/13; 8/9)

Final price ala $0.07 ea

  • Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Crescent Rolls 3/$5 ($1.67 ea)

$0.50/2 c/o doubled (GM 9/13)

Final price $0.57 ea

  • Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 4/$5 ($1.25 ea)

$0.35 c/o doubled (S 7/12)

Final price FREE

  • Pillsbury RTB Refrigerated cookies $2.50

$0.55 c/o doubled to $1 (S 7/12)

Final price $0.90

  • Progresso Soup 6/$8 ($1.33 ea)

$0.50/2 c/o doubled (GM 9/13)

Final price $0.23 ea

  • Chex Mix $1.50

$0.50/2 c/o doubled (GM 9/13; 8/9)

Final price $0.40

  • Cheerios Snack Mix $1.50

$0.50 c/o doubled (GM 8/9)

Final price FREE

  • Yoplait Yogurt 8 ct $3.99

  • Cascadian Farms cereals $3

  • Pillsbury Grands Sweet Rolls $2.79

$0.50/2 c/o doubled (GM 9/13)

$0.40/2 c/o doubled (GM 8/9)

Final price ala $1.69 ea




Sunday, September 27, 2009

Great Walgreens Deals this week!!

Walgreens 9/27-10/3

  • Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion 6.8 oz $6.99 sale price get $6.99 RR

-$1.50 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion, printable
-$1.50 off Vaseline 6.8-13.5oz
printable (IE) or printable
-$1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion, Oct CVS Reinventing Beauty
-$1.25 Vaseline Lotion, any 200 mL. + RP 8/02 (exp 9/27)
-$1.50 Vaseline Lotion, any 200 mL. + RP 8/02 (exp 9/27)

  • Purchase two (2) Theraflu Nighttime (6ct; 2/$8), Receive $4 RR
    $2 Walgreen’s Coupon in the Healthy Savings Booklet
    -
    (2) $2 Printables = FREE! + Receive $4 RR!

  • Purchase one (1) Emergency-C Immune System ($3.49), Receive $3.49 RR

  • Purchase one (1) Oral-B Advantage 1-2-3 Toothbrush ($3), Receive $3 RR

  • Purchase one (1) Herbal Essence Hair Care ($2.99), Receive $2 RR

-$1 Herbal Essence Hair Care, RP 8/23 (exp 9/30), RP 9/13

  • Purchase one (1) Chapstick Fresh Effects ($2.99), Receive $2.99 RR

  • Purchase one (1) Robitussin DM To Go (2pk; $2.49), Receive $2.49

Robitussin site has $2 off q for any Robitussin. $2 MM all month!
https://robitussin.wyethcoupons.com/pages/16

  • Purchase one (1) Dentek Roll Floss ($2), Receive $2 RR

-$1 Dentek Floss Picks, April or May All You Mag. or printable

  • Purchase one (1) Halls Refresh Sugar Free (20ct; $1), Receive $1 RR

Use the BOGO on the Halls from Kmart which expires 4/31/10 and get two Hall's.

Peelies @ Meijer - New Hall's Refresh B1G1F Q's.

-.50/1 Halls Refresh, October All You
-.75/1 Halls Refresh, SS 9/27
-.35/1 Halls 20 ct+, SS 9/27

  • $3 RR WYB any (1) John Frieda Root Awakening Product
    $3 RR WYB any (1)
    John Frieda Luxurious Volume item
    There are John Frieda coupons for $3/2 on the RR display

  • $3 RR WYB (1) Zicam $10.99
    Valid 9/27 – 10/31

  • $2 RR WYB (2) Degree Body Mist/Deodorant 2/$8
    The Degree Women website has $1/2 Degree Fine Fragrance Collection Mist & Stick Products here...
    Degree® Fine Fragrance Collection

  • Reeses Candy 0.49 each after in-ad coupon
    Use $0.55/1 coupon from 8/23 SS insert
    FREE after coupons

  • $6 RR wyb Gillette Fusion MVP Manual or Power Razor System at $8.99
    -$2 Gillette Fusion Razor, any, RP 8/16 (exp 9/30), PG $120 Savings Rebate Booklet
    -$4 Gillette Fusion PG 9/27 (makes it
    FREE plus overage)

  • Wet Ones Wipes Canister $1.99 after in-ad coupon
    Use $1/1 printable coupon
    here (IE) or here (FF)
    Pay $0.99 each after coupons

  • Pond’s Skincare products on sale BOGO (PSA $4.59)
    Use two $1.50/1 printable coupons (
    IE link) (FF Link) or $1.50/1 printable on Red Plum
    Pay as little as $1.59 for two after coupons

  • Oral-B Advantage 1-2-3 Toothbrush $3, Receive $3 RR wyb one
    Use $0.75/1 coupon from 9/27 P&G insert
    FREE plus $0.75 in overage after coupon

  • Venus Embrace or Breeze $7.99, Earn a $4 RR wyb one
    Use $2/1 coupon from 9/27 P&G insert

Pay $1.99 for one after coupon and register reward

  • Hershey’s Harvest Kisses 2/$5, Earn a $1 RR wyb two
    Use $1/1 coupon from 9/13 SS insert
    Pay $1 per bag after coupons and register rewards

  • Trop 50 Orange Juice 2/$6, Earn a a $1 RR wyb two
    Use $1/1 printable coupon (
    IE Link or FF Link)
    Pay $3 for two after coupons and register reward

Thursday, September 24, 2009

McDonald's Halloween Coupon Books

Hopefully the local McDonald's will be participating in the promo!

The Halloween coupon booklets are now available at McDonald’s. For just $1 you’ll get 12 free product coupons, including 4 coupons for a free small ice cream cone, 4 coupons for free apple dippers and 4 coupons for a free apple juice or milk jug.

Posting Current Deals

I've decided to step it up with my blog and try to add some deals that are currently available.


  • Want a free Redbox movie? Shop at Meijer? Now through 9/24 (at midnight) you can get a free movie rental code from Redbox, when you use the code 9MEJR24 at checkout. To use the code you will need to visit your local Redbox location, select “Rent... with Promo Code,” enter code, select movie and continue to check out.

  • Join Sara Lee on Facebook and get a $3 off one Sara Lee sliced meat coupon! Once you're a fan... Click on "coupon" at the top of the page. The link to the coupon will be emailed to you.

  • If you have never used CVS before for online photo printing then go here and sign up and you will get a credit for 50 FREE 4×6 prints.Then once you are signed in go to “My Account” and enter your CVS card number and you get a credit for another 30 FREE 4×6 prints! If you select in store pickup then all 80 prints will cost nothing.

Monday, August 31, 2009

100 item pantry donation match with Retire With Coupons

Retire with Coupons has joined Facebook!!

In order of this event Kimberly, the owner of Retire With Coupons, has made a personal pledge to donate 100 items to the Clare House food pantry when Retire With Coupons gets 100 fans!

I have also matched that pledge - I am going to donate 100 items to the Center for Hope food pantry once Retire With Coupons has 100 fans.

That's 200 items to local families in need - just by people becoming fans of Retire With Coupons!

If you're on Facebook - please search for the Retire With Coupons group and become a fan!

Help us help others in need!

August Spending

I went over budget once again this month. My husband spent 2 weeks out of town for work though, so we went on a few big shopping trips to stock him up on heat and eat microwavable meals so he could save money on food while he was in the hotel room.

Here's my spending:
Schnucks: $0.42
Target: $3.68
Meijer: $140.92
Jewel: 88.63
Walgreens: $94.09
Cub: $1.41
Kmart: $4.40

Total spending: $333.55

July Spending

I know I have been MIA WAY too much lately. Life has been crazy!

I spent a lot more in July than usual but I also purchased a lot for the food pantry and ended the month with over $180 in catalinas to use at Jewel.

Here are my July totals by store:

Kmart: $26.87
Kroger: $71.45 (have a $10 gift card leftover)
Schnucks: $15.40
Meijer: $80.47
Jewel: 270.86 (have $180+ in catalinas leftover)
Walgreens: $61.61 (have leftover Register Rewards - not sure how much)

Total spending: $526.66
$200 reamaining in gift cards & catalinas
Will receive $150 in rebates
Like spending $176.66 ($86 was for the food pantry)

That's a LOT of spending - especially for me! Can't wait to get my rebates back!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Jewel - BIG promotion is over :-(

The big Unilever promotion is over at Jewel! I was still shopping at 10 pm last night though!

This is what I have left in catalinas to spend like cash at the store:

8 - 50 Bonus Bonus Box Tops (total of 400 Box Tops! Which is like $40 for Oakdale)
1 = FREE Sobe Lifewater
5 - FREE multipacks of water (from General Mills granola bars & snacks)
4 - FREE gallons of milk (from General Mills cereal)
3 - $1 catalina (from Skippy promo)
3 - $3.50 catalina (from General Mills fruit snacks)
8 - $5 catalinas (from General Mills promo)
1 - $10 catalina (from Unilever)
26 - $5 catalinas (from Unilever promo)

That's a total of $193.50 in "cash" to use - plus the free items!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Jewel shopping - Unilever promotion

I have been spending a LOT of time at Jewel these past couple weeks! The promotion runs through this week -so I may not be done yet!

I've bought CASES (literally - Jewel special orders for me) of items for the Center for Hope food pantry during this promotion. I always like to total up my receipts for them so they can see the amazing cost of these items! Some of the items included below are for my family - but most are for the pantry. They were all on the same receipts - so they are all on this list.

So here we go:

Items I bought:

Skippy naturals peanut butter - 60 jars
Pillsbury Ready to Bake cookies - 12 packages
Macaroni Grill meals - 58 boxes (similar to Hamburger Helper - but more YUMMY)
Knorr pasta side dishes - 99 pouches
Lipton soup mixes - 64 boxes (2 pouches per box)
Lipton tea bags - 8 boxes
Breyers ice cream 1/2 gal - 6 cartons
Klondike bars - 4 packages
Betty Crocker boxes brownies - 93 boxes
Cascadian Farms granola cereal - 15 boxes
Honey Nut Cheerios - 46 boxes
Cookie Crisp cereal - 31 boxes
Kix cereal - 7 boxes
Reeses Puffs cereal - 4 boxes
Hellman's real mayo - 65 bottles
Chex Mix bars - 19 boxes
Bertolli spaghetti sauce - 63 jars
Muffin mix - 1 box
cake mix - 3 boxes
Frosting - 8 tubs
Chex Mix - 12 bags
All detergent - 45 bottles
Dove shampoo/conditioner - 14 bottles
Qtips - 10 packages
Vaseline lotion - 16 bottles
Snapple bottles 12 pk - 1 pkg


Bottom line money Budget Wise:

Cash spent: $86.14
Catalinas earned: $1482.00
Catalinas spent: $1255.00
Manufacturer Coupons used: $410.75

This may not make much sense to you - but if you take the catalinas earned minus the cash I spent minus the catalinas spent you will see the total of catalinas I have leftover. That total is $140.86!! So even though I spend $86 out of my pocket - I now I have $140 in catalinas to spend at Jewel! Which means I can now purchase MORE items for the pantry!!

Some of you may have some questions regarding shopping at Jewel and catalina deals. My friend Kim with Retire With Coupons (www.retirewithcoupons.com) summed it up nicely - so I've borrowed her verbiage:

* Yes, Jewel is normally considered to be an extremely expensive store. But, by combining store sales, Catalina deals, and coupons, you will pay less than you would at other stores that are considered the least expensive! And, yes, we're buying all name brands!

* What's a Catalina? A Catalina is a coupon you receive when you check out. It normally prints after you've paid, and these particular coupons (for these deals) are used like cash on your next order.

A couple more questions that come up often:

* WHERE do I get all my coupons? I have multiple copies of the Chicago Tribune delivered. I also have many friends and neighbors that save their coupons for me. The food pantry has coupon donors as well. If it weren't for these sources - I wouldn't be able to shop for the pantry the way I do! So THANKS to everyone who saves papers for me!

*How do I find out about deals? Most time I just read the sales flyers! I also know some people from different areas of the country who are "ahead" of us with their sales cycle. Their stores have the sales a week ahead of our store. Their stores are owned by the same people as ours.

* How do I learn to shop like this? I know of someone who runs an AWESOME business who teaches others how to "coupon". I encourage everyone to check out her website and sign up for a class or a shopping crew subscription! www.retirewithcoupons.com


More questions? Comments? Please leave comments and I will do my best to answer as soon as I can!

Happy Shopping!

I'm a slacker!

OK - I admit it... I am a SLACKER! :-)

It takes a LOT of time to keep up the blog with receipts (especially when you shop like I do!) - and with the kids home for the summer - it's just time I haven't been able to carve out of my schedule!

I am working on going through my July receipts - just for the totals. I will post those as soon as I can (think early next week maybe?).

I have done some totals for the AWESOME Jewel deals I've been getting lately however! I've been buying in order to donate to the food pantry - and I love to run totals for them!

Check out the post regarding this - coming up next!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

June - part 4 (and final)

Schnucks

10 relish
8 Smuckers toppings
12 limes

Total spent $7.22 (Some of the toppings rang up a higher price than expected and I didn't catch it until after I was home).

Meijer
10 Kraft mac & cheese
6 Old El Paso taco shells
40 Kool-aid
4 - 4 lb bags sugar
2 lb bananas
2 Sara Lee pound cakes
2 Sara Lee coffee cakes
4 Sara Lee cheesecake
8 Starbucks ice cream
1 Lasagna
18 Kraft dressing
4 Quilted Northern toilet paper
4 Pillsbury brownies

Total spent $5.37

Jewel-Osco

1 Hunt's pudding pack
2 Dannon 32 oz yogurt
4 Alexia natural snacks
1 Reddi Whip
4 Drumstick ice cream cones 4 pk
11 Hunts ketchup
1 gal milk
1 pepper steak
10 Coke/Sunkist 12 pks
2 Hillshire Farm sausages/bratwursts
9 "salt" seasonings (seasoning salt, hamurger salt, salt/pepper)
2 McCormick seasoning pouches
1 pasta
4 A.1. steak seasonings
4 Morton salt
2 Grande tortilla chips
1 Krunchers potato chips
1 Doritos
4 pop 2 Ltr
1 pkg mushrooms
4 Kellogg's cereal
2 pineapples
1 watermelon
14 limes
1 Sara Lee buns

Total spent $16.19

Walgreens
1 Jane eye shadow
12 Aquafresh toothpaste
2 kids plastic character cups
1 rash cream
1 Dawn dish soap
6 cans olives
2 Right Guard deoderant
1 caramel

Total spent out of pocket $17.59 & using gift cards $10.00

June - part 3

Walgreens

10 Oreo Cakesters
12 John Frieda shampoo/conditioner
2 J&J baby powder
2 St Ives body wash
1 Right Guard deoderant
1 A&D ointnment

Total spent $21.61

Schnucks
4 Easy Mac
1 8 oz mushrooms
4 Mt Olive relish

Total spent $1.34

Meijer
14 Kraft Dressing
4 Sweet Baby Ray's marinade
6 pasta
1.3 lb nectarines
4 Brownberry bread
6 Old Orchard juice
4 Kellogg's cereal
5 pkg Cottonelle toilet paper
4 Pillsbury brownies
1 lb ham
2 Starbucks ice cream
4.2 lb bananas
8 lb sugar
20 kool-aid packets
1 Jolly Rancher candy
5 pk Kraft mac & cheese

Total spent $7.98

Jewel-Osco
2 Doritos
3 Cheetos
1 Fritos
3 lb nectarines
2 Frito Lay dip
3 pk Romaine lettuce
2 pop
11 Hunts ketchup
2 Culinary Circle dips
2 2 Ltr Coke
2 Lunchables
1 Coffee-Mate creamer 32 oz
2 tortilla chips
2 Limes
5 lb red potatoes
4 ice cream bars (Drumstick & Eskimo Pie bars)
12 Wesson oil
2 Crunch N Munch
1 David sunflower seeds
2 Danimals
10 Gulden's mustard
6 Hunts pasta sauce
1 Wanchai Ferry boxed meal
5 Coke 12 pks
2 Hillshire Farm sausage
15 Pepsi 12 pks
2 sobe drinks
2 Lipton bottles
4 sweet corn
1.11 lb asparagus
3 Culinary Circle crumbled feta & blue cheese
4 Activ Water
5 Propel
18 2 Ltrs pop
6 Kraft mac & cheese
7 Kellogg's cereal
3 Sara Lee Buns
1 Cheetos
1 Pepperidge Farm mini hamburger buns
5 Marie Callender meals
4 MaxFactor mascara
6 Dannon 32 oz yogurt
2.45 lb nectarines

Total spent $35.69

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

June - part 2

Walgreens

4 J&J baby powder
3 John Freida color shampoo
2 Huggies diapers
1 travel toothbrush/paste
1 Starburst
3 Hallmark cards
2 St Ives body wash
1 box envelopes
2 Dry Idea deoderant
2 Right Guard deoderant
2 Schick Quattro razors
1 caramel
8 Bayer glucose meter
1 Bayer aspririn
1 pkg Scott tissue
6 Ecotrin aspirin
4 Walgreens brand Tylenol PM
1 20 oz pop
2 candy bars
2 cans olives
3 Ramen noodles

Spent $12.07 Cash & $31.24 using gift cards

Jewel
4 lb strawberries
4 lb bananas
6 lb grapes
1 canteloupe
4 grapefruit
3 pk Romaine lettuce
1 bag salad
1 pkg mushrooms
1 pt blueberries
1 pineapple
1 cherry tomatoes
1 3 lb onions
10 limes
4 bags broccoli/cauliflower
12 pkg chicken breasts
1 bag Beneful dog food
mini corn dogs
dino chicken nuggets
2 Reggio pizzas
13 Haagen Daas ice cream cups
14 Fisher trail mix
2 Planter cashews
3 sunflower seeds
2 Lipton tea
8 Sunny D
2 bottled water
8 Gold Peak ice tea
1 can beets
1 can green beans
17 - 2 Ltr soda
2 Lunchables
7 garlic salt
2 hamburger salt
2 chips
2 gal milk
2 - 5 lb potatoes
1 pint tomatoes
42 Weber grill seasoning packets
6 Kraft mac & cheese
2 Jewel applesauce
6 Jewel salt
4 Minute Maid Limeade
4 BC suddenly salad
10 Bertolli sauce
1 cotton swabs
6 Snapple
9 Breyers ice cream
1 Cheetos 100 cal packs
1 Culinary Circle apple blossoms
6 Skippy peanut butter
3 Cheerios
2 BC brownie mix
2 Wish-bone dressing
2 Ragu

Spent $35.25 OOP

Friday, June 19, 2009

June - Part 1

Schnucks
19 Crystal Light On the Go packs
6 Mt Olive pickle relish
48 Weber seasonings
10 Taster's Choice instant coffee
1 Long grain rice

Paid $0.74 cash
and $6.10 using a gift card.

Target

3 Crystal Light
2 cans olives
2 Ziploc plastic containers
8 Ziploc Evolve bags

Spent $4.46 using a gift card. $0.00 cash

Kroger
2 boxes popsicles
2 gal milk
2 pkgs diapers
8 1/2 gal milk
2 lbs cherries
1/2 gal buttermilk
cottage cheese
sour cream
2 Country Time lemonade

Total spent $19.80 cash.

Meijer
4 Cutter bug repellant
4 Refried Beans
6 taco shells
2 Mexican rice mix
14 taco seasoning mix
2 tubs margarine
2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaner
6 Lysol kitchen cleaner
3 Chex Mix
4 Mrs Dash
1 lb hamburger
2 pepperoni
1 bottle pop
2 flavored wine vinegar
6 Splenda
4 kiwis
1 cucumber
12 Sweet Baby Ray's dipping sauce
1 Romaine lettuce
4 plums
1.62 lb nectarines
0.77 lb apricots

Spent $13.03 Cash OOP

KMart (more double coupons up to $2!)
6 Purina Healthful Life cat food
3 Snapple
2 Vaseline lotion
3 Bayer aspirin
2 Ziploc bags
5 Ziploc vacuum bag
1 Glade Lasting Impressions
7 BBQ sauce
2 Kelloggs choco-nilla Rice Krispies
3 Lipton Cold Brew Tea

Spent $5.09 using a gift card. No cash OOP.