I didn't do any shopping last week since I had a busy week with other commitments.
I only did two stores this week (so far, I may do more on Saturday). I think my goal is going to be to try to stay under $10.00 a week at CVS.
CVS:
I took a survey for 10 ECBs and had 5 ECBs left over from my last trip.
Transaction No. 1:
2 packs of Huggies Goodnights: 2/$19 (- 2/$2 MFQ)
Total: $15.00
used 15 ECBs for a total OOP: $.36
received 1 ECB
Transaction No. 2:
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush: $5.99 (- $2 MFQ)
Total: $3.99
used 1 ECB from previous transaction for a total OOP: $3.53
received 2 ECBs
Transaction No. 3:
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush: $5.99 (- $2 MFQ)
Total: $3.99
used 2 ECBs from previous transaction for a total OOP: $2.53
received 2 ECBs
TOTAL OOP: $6.42 and 2 ECBs for next trip
WINN-DIXIE:
I am going to try to budget my weekly trips to Winn-Dixie at $50.00.
I didn't have any really good deals this week, but I did save:
$21.73 in rewards card purchases
$4.10 in manufacturer coupons
Earned $.20 Fuelperks.
Total spent: $46.30
Monday, January 16, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Winn-Dixie Trip - 1/8/12
I did not stay within my $40.00 budget. My total with tax was $97.67.
The "good" bargains I got included Campbell's soups being on sale 10/$10 and I had several coupons totallying $1.00 so I got 11 cans of "cooking" soup for $10.
My mistakes were buying the wrong variety of a product.
I did earn $.65 in fuelperks though, so I did save me money on gas this week.
The "good" bargains I got included Campbell's soups being on sale 10/$10 and I had several coupons totallying $1.00 so I got 11 cans of "cooking" soup for $10.
My mistakes were buying the wrong variety of a product.
I did earn $.65 in fuelperks though, so I did save me money on gas this week.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Walgreens - razor, tomato sauce, Advil & bonus candy bars
My trip to Walgreens was not that eventful, except learning that they now lock up the razors! I didn't realize that they were such a hot comodity that they needed to be under lock and key.
The trip went as planned, mostly. Apparently I miscalculated the cost for my second transaction and had to throw in some fillers.
Transaction No. 1:
Gillette Fuson Razor: $9.99 (- $5.00 MQ) = $4.99 + tax ($.86) and earn 4 RR
TOTAL: $5.86 and earned 4 RR
Transaction No. 2:
3 Hunts Tomato Sauce: in ad sale for $.39 each
Advil (24 ct): $3.00 (- $1.00 printable MQ)
TOTAL: $3.17 + tax (this is where my miscalculation came in, I don't think I took into account the $1 coupon for the Advil)
add:
2 Snickers bars: $.69 each
TOTAL: $4.55 + $.35 tax
Used 4 RR from prior transaction for $.90 OOP
Grand total OOP: $6.76
DAILY TOTAL: $9.23
The only other store I plan on shopping at this weekend is Winn-Dixie. I haven't done my homework for this one yet, but I hope to keep the total under $40.00.
The trip went as planned, mostly. Apparently I miscalculated the cost for my second transaction and had to throw in some fillers.
Transaction No. 1:
Gillette Fuson Razor: $9.99 (- $5.00 MQ) = $4.99 + tax ($.86) and earn 4 RR
TOTAL: $5.86 and earned 4 RR
Transaction No. 2:
3 Hunts Tomato Sauce: in ad sale for $.39 each
Advil (24 ct): $3.00 (- $1.00 printable MQ)
TOTAL: $3.17 + tax (this is where my miscalculation came in, I don't think I took into account the $1 coupon for the Advil)
add:
2 Snickers bars: $.69 each
TOTAL: $4.55 + $.35 tax
Used 4 RR from prior transaction for $.90 OOP
Grand total OOP: $6.76
DAILY TOTAL: $9.23
The only other store I plan on shopping at this weekend is Winn-Dixie. I haven't done my homework for this one yet, but I hope to keep the total under $40.00.
New Year, New Shopping Habits
I am making a New Year's Resoluation/lifestyle change this year.
I've been couponing for a long time, but never really made it a priority. When I got good deals with very little out of pocket I was excited, but it never had much of an impact on my shopping habits.
I also decided that paying off bills is a priority this year. I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck with little or no left over each week/month. I did manage to pay off my car last year, but there has been a lot of extras that have popped up to keep us from getting ahead. I want to get ahead!
I talked to my husband about it and told him what my plan was for this year. Of course, he is in total agreement with paying off our debt. I even told him that I was not going to be making unexpected/last minute trips to the grocery store to get anything. We were going to have to make due with what we have in the house and what I buy, which means we will have to be creative with our meals.
I will be shopping mostly at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Winn-Dixie and Dollar General. I have found that I can get a lot of grocery items at a really good price at Dollar General AND they take coupons. They also offer a $5 off $25 coupon for shopping on Saturday. I will also look at the Wal-Mart ad to see if they have anything really worth the trip, but I don't have one in close proximity to my house or work so if I don't have to spend the gas to go, I won't.
I'll post when (not if!) we pay off bills and my shopping trips (as you can see from the CVS trip posted already).
Here's to saving money!
I've been couponing for a long time, but never really made it a priority. When I got good deals with very little out of pocket I was excited, but it never had much of an impact on my shopping habits.
I also decided that paying off bills is a priority this year. I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck with little or no left over each week/month. I did manage to pay off my car last year, but there has been a lot of extras that have popped up to keep us from getting ahead. I want to get ahead!
I talked to my husband about it and told him what my plan was for this year. Of course, he is in total agreement with paying off our debt. I even told him that I was not going to be making unexpected/last minute trips to the grocery store to get anything. We were going to have to make due with what we have in the house and what I buy, which means we will have to be creative with our meals.
I will be shopping mostly at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Winn-Dixie and Dollar General. I have found that I can get a lot of grocery items at a really good price at Dollar General AND they take coupons. They also offer a $5 off $25 coupon for shopping on Saturday. I will also look at the Wal-Mart ad to see if they have anything really worth the trip, but I don't have one in close proximity to my house or work so if I don't have to spend the gas to go, I won't.
I'll post when (not if!) we pay off bills and my shopping trips (as you can see from the CVS trip posted already).
Here's to saving money!
CVS Shopping Trip
I have started my new year, new shopping habits. I'm trying to get things we need/use for as little money out of pocket as possible. I know I'm not always going to be able to, but I have decided to dedicate a few hours a week to organizing my coupons (I'm still working on the best strategy for this), looking through the sale ads and researching on the internet to find the best "bang" for my buck.
I'm going to treat my couponing like a part-time job by dedicating time in the evenings a couple days a week to do the work that needs to be done to minimize my spending.
That being said, I did my first trip to CVS this morning...
My plan was as follows:
Transaction 1:
Oral B spinbrush: $5.99 (-$3.00 coupon from P&G) = $2.99 (earn 2 ECB)
2 Dawn dish soap: $.99 each (-$.50 for Hand Renewal & -$.25 for regular) = $.49 & $.74
Eggs: $1.49
TOTAL: $5.71 + tax (approx $.50)*
use 5.99 ECB from previous purchase for approx $.22 OOP + earn 9 ECB for quarterly earnings + 2 ECB for toothbrush
Transaction 2:
Huggies Overnights: $9.49 (earn 1 ECB)
3 Hunt's Snack Pack (10/$10): $3.00 (-$.45/3 manu coupon) = 2.55
TOTAL: $12.04 + tax (approx $1.05)
use 9 ECB + 2 ECB for approx $2.09 OOP + earn 1 ECB
Transaction 3:
CVS Ibuprofen 500 ct: $9.99
TOTAL: $9.99 plus tax (approx $.88)
use 6 ECB from previous purchase + 1 ECB for approx $3.86 OOP
Of course they were totally out of the toothbrushes so I had to regroup my transactions.
Here's what I actually did:
Transaction 1:
Huggies Overnights: $9.49 (earn 1 ECB)
3 Hunt's Snack Pack (10/$10): $3.00 (-$.45/3 manu coupon) = 2.55
TOTAL: $12.04 + tax ($.94)
used 5.99 ECB + 6 ECB for $.99 OOP + earn 1 ECB and quarterly ECBs (9 ECB) + bonus 5 ECB for Beauty Club Rewards which I was not expecting.
Transaction 2:
2 Dawn dish soap: $.99 each (-$.50 for Hand Renewal & -$.25 for regular) = $.49 & $.74
CVS Ibuprofen 500 ct: $9.99
TOTAL: $11.22 + tax ($.26)
used 9 ECB + 1 ECB for $1.48 OOP
and I still have 5 ECBs for next week.
TRIP TOTAL: $2.47
Not bad in my opinion. It's all stuff we use and/or need. I plan on a trip to Walgreens later today and will post after I finish to see how I did.
*We have a weird sales tax system that taxes food items at a different rate from everything else so I'll estimate the taxes for the transactions.
I'm going to treat my couponing like a part-time job by dedicating time in the evenings a couple days a week to do the work that needs to be done to minimize my spending.
That being said, I did my first trip to CVS this morning...
My plan was as follows:
Transaction 1:
Oral B spinbrush: $5.99 (-$3.00 coupon from P&G) = $2.99 (earn 2 ECB)
2 Dawn dish soap: $.99 each (-$.50 for Hand Renewal & -$.25 for regular) = $.49 & $.74
Eggs: $1.49
TOTAL: $5.71 + tax (approx $.50)*
use 5.99 ECB from previous purchase for approx $.22 OOP + earn 9 ECB for quarterly earnings + 2 ECB for toothbrush
Transaction 2:
Huggies Overnights: $9.49 (earn 1 ECB)
3 Hunt's Snack Pack (10/$10): $3.00 (-$.45/3 manu coupon) = 2.55
TOTAL: $12.04 + tax (approx $1.05)
use 9 ECB + 2 ECB for approx $2.09 OOP + earn 1 ECB
Transaction 3:
CVS Ibuprofen 500 ct: $9.99
TOTAL: $9.99 plus tax (approx $.88)
use 6 ECB from previous purchase + 1 ECB for approx $3.86 OOP
Of course they were totally out of the toothbrushes so I had to regroup my transactions.
Here's what I actually did:
Transaction 1:
Huggies Overnights: $9.49 (earn 1 ECB)
3 Hunt's Snack Pack (10/$10): $3.00 (-$.45/3 manu coupon) = 2.55
TOTAL: $12.04 + tax ($.94)
used 5.99 ECB + 6 ECB for $.99 OOP + earn 1 ECB and quarterly ECBs (9 ECB) + bonus 5 ECB for Beauty Club Rewards which I was not expecting.
Transaction 2:
2 Dawn dish soap: $.99 each (-$.50 for Hand Renewal & -$.25 for regular) = $.49 & $.74
CVS Ibuprofen 500 ct: $9.99
TOTAL: $11.22 + tax ($.26)
used 9 ECB + 1 ECB for $1.48 OOP
and I still have 5 ECBs for next week.
TRIP TOTAL: $2.47
Not bad in my opinion. It's all stuff we use and/or need. I plan on a trip to Walgreens later today and will post after I finish to see how I did.
*We have a weird sales tax system that taxes food items at a different rate from everything else so I'll estimate the taxes for the transactions.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale
It's that time again. Bath and Body Works has pretty good discounts on their body wash, lotion, wall flowers, candles, hand sanitizer and hand soap.
I'm starting my New Year's Resolution early! I'm going to TRY to focus on getting the most for my money (meaning spending less) in 2012. With that in mind, I did order some body wash and lotion in matching sets to give as gifts. The next Semi Annual sale will be in July so I will get some more stuff then for friends, teachers, etc.
If you order the Ebates.com you can also get 3.0% cash back from your purchase.
If you don't already shop through Ebates.com it's a good way to get cash back on your purchases. They have a lot of merchants and the cash back for each merchant varies.
They have a referral program. You get $5.00 for each friend you refer. Here is the link for me.
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=i%2FYPnC15PNVZYl0803Zkmw%3D%3D
I'm starting my New Year's Resolution early! I'm going to TRY to focus on getting the most for my money (meaning spending less) in 2012. With that in mind, I did order some body wash and lotion in matching sets to give as gifts. The next Semi Annual sale will be in July so I will get some more stuff then for friends, teachers, etc.
If you order the Ebates.com you can also get 3.0% cash back from your purchase.
If you don't already shop through Ebates.com it's a good way to get cash back on your purchases. They have a lot of merchants and the cash back for each merchant varies.
They have a referral program. You get $5.00 for each friend you refer. Here is the link for me.
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=i%2FYPnC15PNVZYl0803Zkmw%3D%3D
Monday, November 7, 2011
Juggling
I have been doing a LOT of juggling over the last few months. Since school is back in session, I have been trying to fit in all of the things I need to do and failing miserably!
Between working a full-time job and doing homework with my kids at night, it feels like anything and everything else is not getting done. I haven't been diligently couponing because I don't have the time to dedicate to searching for all the coupons I need, and have been unsuccessful in finding a lot of the ones posted on blogs because my weekly paper just simply does not have them which is depressing!
I'm keeping my chin up, but only barely.
I have been trying to stretch my grocery budget as far as possible so I have been doing a couple of things to get multiple uses out of my grocery items. Some of these things I have read about on other blogs, but here are a few things that I do to save a SMALL amount of money:
1. When I buy a bunch of bananas and we don't eat them all, I stick the over ripe ones in the freezer to use for baking.
2. I have been buying a roasted chicken to make chicken salad for lunches. After I pick the chicken and cut up all of the vegetables, I throw the bones and skin from the chicken along with all of the discards from the veggies and make chicken stock.
3. When we finish a loaf of bread, I stick the ends in the freezer until I have several, then I put then in the oven to dry them out and put then in the food processor for bread crumbs.
4. This weekend I took the pumpkins from Halloween and roasted the pumpkin and the seeds. I use the pumpkin to make pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving (and other baking) and the seeds make a delicious snack.
Between working a full-time job and doing homework with my kids at night, it feels like anything and everything else is not getting done. I haven't been diligently couponing because I don't have the time to dedicate to searching for all the coupons I need, and have been unsuccessful in finding a lot of the ones posted on blogs because my weekly paper just simply does not have them which is depressing!
I'm keeping my chin up, but only barely.
I have been trying to stretch my grocery budget as far as possible so I have been doing a couple of things to get multiple uses out of my grocery items. Some of these things I have read about on other blogs, but here are a few things that I do to save a SMALL amount of money:
1. When I buy a bunch of bananas and we don't eat them all, I stick the over ripe ones in the freezer to use for baking.
2. I have been buying a roasted chicken to make chicken salad for lunches. After I pick the chicken and cut up all of the vegetables, I throw the bones and skin from the chicken along with all of the discards from the veggies and make chicken stock.
3. When we finish a loaf of bread, I stick the ends in the freezer until I have several, then I put then in the oven to dry them out and put then in the food processor for bread crumbs.
4. This weekend I took the pumpkins from Halloween and roasted the pumpkin and the seeds. I use the pumpkin to make pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving (and other baking) and the seeds make a delicious snack.
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