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I am a follower of Christ, a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a teacher...

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Weekly Shopping List

Walgreens
  • Crackerfuls (today and tomorrow ONLY) - $2, Get $2 (FREE)
  • V8 Fusion 2/$6 (w/ store coupon)
  • Listerine smart rinse $2.99, Get $2 - 99c.
  • Aquafresh kids toothpaste 99c. (w/ store coupon - limit 3)
  • Icy Hot Naturals 99c., Get 99c. (FREE)
  • Right Guard deo./body wash B1G1
RiteAid
  • Renpure Shampoo/conditioner $4.99, Get $4.99 (FREE)
  • Irish Spring/SpeedStick $2.99, Get $2 = 99c.
  • Kimberly & Clark products, Buy $30, Get $10 reward
    • Huggies Swimmers $6.97
    • Huggies Wipes $6.97
    • Huggies Diapers $8.97 (watch ad perk for extra $1 coupon)
    • Pull Ups $8.97
    • BIG box wipes $8.97
CVS
  • Snickers/M&M 2/$1, Get $1 (FREE)
  • Spend $10, Get $3
    • Twizzlers 2/$4
    • Reeses's Minis $2.5
  • Powerade 5/$5, Get $3 = 5/$3
Target
  • Bug Barrier (Buy 1 bug barrier and refill, Get $5)
    • Bug Barrier $8
    • Refill $4.50
  • Buy 2 products, Get $5
    • Charmin $9.99
    • Puffs $8.99

Friday, May 27, 2011

Grocery Tally

Alright, here we go!  My husband and I had a really nice talk last night about our finances.  If you know us, you know Tim's job situation has been really rough.  We talked how finances was affecting our relationship and how draining it is on us.  SSSSOOOO, to hold myself more accountable to my grocery budget, I am going to post my tally each week for grocery expenses.  I'm hoping this will really make me look at what I'm spending even more, and be even a better stewart of the provisions God's given to us.  I really want to bring the total down to $60 a week, but I am noticing I am pretty much staying at $70-80 a week.

To keep it simple, if there is change, I will round the total to the next whole dollar amount (i.e. $24.34 will be rounded to $25)

Food 4 Less - $11 (Bread was on clearance and stocked up!)
Ralphs - $25  (Saved $36.54)
Vons - $29  (Saved 61% - my rule is that I generally have to save AT LEAST 50%, if I am going to Vons)

Total: $65

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Wednesday Weeklies (A DAY EARLY! - AGAIN!)

Trying something a little bit different.  I went ahead and listed everything I thought was a GOOD-GREAT deal, and my coupon match ups.  This took twice as long, however, I have everything set for Saturday.  Tim gets paid on Friday, so most of the shopping will be done Friday-Saturday.  Let me know if you guys like this better.  It takes longer, but everything is set for me - so I think it's a win-win.  Highligthed items are what I "plan" to get.  My estimated total before coupons (and after club card savings) = $113 - $26.99 (in coupons) = $86.01 estimated cost.  This is a little "high" for a weekly trip.  My goal is to spend about $50 a week at the grocery store.  The closest I've really gotten is about $60, which is not bad for a family of 4 (and one on the way).  Of course, I'll be scouring for other coupons.  AND since I am not going out until Saturday, I am hoping to snag some more coupons out of the early paper.  If you are a "couponer,"  I highly recommend buying the early paper edition (for the coupons) and/or buying an extra Sunday paper for the coupons when the inserts are good.

Vons 5/25 - 5/31
  • 5/27 - 5/30 ONLY
    • Coke products Buy 2, Get 3 FREE ($2 coupon in Maxi Foods ad)
    • Blueberries $1
    • Popsicle varieties $1.99
    • Chunk Cheese $6.99 (coupon in 5/22 SS)
    • Ritz/nabisco crackers $1.99 (coupon in 5/15 SS)
  • Stop in after 2 PM between 5/27 - 5/30 and get any GRANDE frappacino for $2!
  • Tyson Breadded chicken varieties Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Food 4 Less
  • Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce 78c. ($1/3 coupon 5/22 SS)
  • FJ Hotdogs 78c.  (5/8 SS) = FREE!
  • Kraft singles $1.78
  • Minute Maid $1
  • Limes 2 lb/98c.
  • Tapatio Sauce 88c.
  • Bar S. Bologna 98c. ($1/2 5/22 RP)
  • Hot Pockets 3/$5
Albertsons
  • Blueberries 99c (6oz)
  • Buy 10, Save $5
    • Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ 79c ($1/3 5/22 SS)
    • Pillsbury brownies 49c.
    • Best Food Mayo $2.49 (5/22 RP)
    • Skippy $1.49
    • French's mustard 99c. (5/19 SS)
    • Twizzler's $1.39 ($1/2 5/22 SS - says for CVS, but Albertson's takes competitor coupons)
    • Hidden Valley Ranch $1.99 (5/15 SS)
    • Kraft Cheese $2.49
    • Crystal light $1.99 (there is a B2G1 coupon I had clipped, but am not sure which insert - sorry!)
    • Oscar Myer Bologna $1.49
    • Ocean Spray $1.99 (5/15 RP)
    • Wisk $3.99
    • Oscar Myer Bacon $4.49
Maxi Foods
  • Roma Tomatoes 3lb/99c.
  • Jennie O Franks 2/$1
  • Franceso Rinaldi Pasta sauce 99c.
  • Brown Onions 17c./lb
  • Green Onions 4/$1
  • Sat-Sun ONLY
    • Bananas 37c./lb
  • 5/26 - 5/27 ONLY
    • Potatoes $1.99 (10 lb bag)
    • Oranges 6b/99c.
Staters
  • Foster Farm Whole Chicken 75c/lb
  • Farmer John Wieners 99c. (5/8 SS) = FREE
  • Kraft/Velveeta slices 2/$4
  • Minute Maid 99c.
  • Popsicle/Fudgsicle 99c.
  • Stater Brand bagged frozen chicken $4.77
  • Stater Block Cheese 2/$5
  • Buy 6, Save $3
    • Triscuits/Wheat Thins $1.49
    • CapriSun/Kool Aid $1.49
    • BullsEye BBQ Sauce 99c.
    • Oscar Myer Bologna/Salami 99c.
    • Knudsen Sour Cream $1.49 (40c. off coupon in Maxi Food Ad)
    • Kraft Dressing $1.49 ($1/2 5/15 RP)
    • Kraft Cream Cheese 99c.
    • Crystal light $1.99
    • Oscar Myer lunch meat $2.99 ($1/2 5/15 SS)
Ralphs
  • Thursday from 1-9 PM:  Minute Maid 79c.
  • Frozen Food Sale (Buy 10, get $5 off)
    • Dove/Magnum/M&M/Ben & Jerry/Popsicle variety $2.49  (check 5/1 RP and 5/22 RP)
    • Lean Cuisine/Stouffers $1.99 (Check 5/1 SS)
    • El Monterey/Tyson/Fridays frozen variety $4.99 (Check 3/6 RP or 5/1 SS)
    • Digiorno/CPK Frozen Pizza $4.99 (Check 4/17 RP, 5/1 SS)
    • Mamma Bella Garlic Bread/Hot Pocket Smackers $2.49
  • Buy 5 items for $5
    • Colgate Total
    • Palmolive
    • Softsoap
    • Speedstick
  • Tyson Grilled/read variety 2/$5 (5/8 SS)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Monday List

There isn't anything TOO spectacular this week, but here you are!

  • Ralphs
    • Santa Cruz lemonade (organic) $1.25 use 75c. coupon (from santa cruz site) = 25c.
  • Walgreens
    • Huggie Swimmers $6.99
      • Use $2 off coupon from booklet (in store under the store ads)
      • Use $2 off from 5/7 insert
    • Carefree 99c. w/ store coupon
      • Stack w/ $1 coupon in 5/8 SS (smart source insert)
  • CVS
    • Axe Buy 3/$13
      • Use 2 B1G1 coupons from 5/22 RP (redplum insert)
    • Biore cleanser or strips $7.89, Get $5 when you buy 2.
      • Use B1G1 coupon from 3/6 SS (smart source insert)
    • Revlon Nail $4.99 Get $4
      • Use $2 coupon from 5/8 SS or
      • Use $1 coupon from 4/10 SS
    • Stride Gum 99c., Get 99c.
      • Use $1/2 from 4/3 SS
    • Arm & Hammer detergent, B1G1 Sale
      • Use $3/2 from 4/10 SS
I, for one, am excited about the swimmers (have $2 Wags bucks to use), the lemonade at Ralphs, and detergent at CVS.  Let me know if you spot any other deals!!!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

El Tapatio & Cardenas

El Tapatio
  • Brown onions 5lb/99c.
  • Red Delicious 3lb/99c.
  • Tomatoes 69c./lb
  • Eggs (20 ct.) $1.99
  • Watermelon 10c./lb
  • 5/22 or 5/25 ONLY
    • Eggs (20 ct.) 3/$5
    • Tomatoes 2lb/99c.
    • Bananas 2lb/99c.
    • Potatoes (10lb) 2/$4
    • Cherries 99c./lb
Cardenas
  • 5/18 - 5/19
    • Oranges 8lb/99c.
    • Cherries 99c./lb
  • Watermelon 6;b/99c.
  • Sunny D 89c.
  • Cilantro 5/99c.
  • Pineapple 2lb/99c.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Wednesday Weeklies (A DAY EARLY!)

What can I say?  I'm on a roll this week!  Here's what's on my shopping list to try to find coupons to match up with.

Vons 5/18 - 5/24
  • Remember the deal I posted on the Pepsi products that I said wasn't that hot?  Well, HERE'S Why!  Coke products are Buy 2 Get 2 FREE, PLUS 2 FREE boxes of Nabisco (i.e. Triscuits or Wheat Thins).
  • Strawberries 99c./lb
Food 4 Less 5/18 - 5/24
  • Chicken Drumsticks 99c./lb
  • Kroger salads $1
  • BAR S Franks 98c.
  • Edge/Skintimate $1
Albertsons 5/18 - 5/24
  • Buy 10, Save $5
    • Stouffer Entrees $1.77
    • Hot Pockets $1.49
    • Juicy Juice $1.99
Fresh n Easy 5/18 - 5/24
  • Strawberries 98c./lb (Sold in 4 lb pk)
  • 98c. Product packs
    • 2 ct. bell peppers
    • 2 lb. yellow onions
    • 1 ct. Iceberg Lettuce
Ralphs 5/18 - 5/24
  • Frozen Food Sale, Buy 10 Save $5
    • Stouffer/Lean Cuisine Entrees $1.99
    • Ore Ida (19 oz - 32 oz) $2.49
    • M&M, Dove, or Weight Watchers Frozen Treats $2.49
    • Ben & Jerry's, Magnum, or Popsicle Treats $1.99
    • Aunt Jemima Entree or waffles 99c.
    • El Monterey or Tyson chicken $4.49
  • Hamburger Helper $1
  • Kraft Cheese Slices $1.79
Staters  5/18 - 5/24
  • 75c. each when you buy 10 items
    • Lunchables
    • Mini Oreos/Ritz Bits bag
    • Kool Aid Bursts
    • Kraft Mac n Cheese box
    • Kraft Dressing/BBQ Sauce
    • Taco Bell seasoning packet
    • Corn nuts
    • Stride gum
  • Hunts Pasta Sauce 99c.
  • Ground beef $1.89 (sold in 3 lb)
  • Farmer John links 99c.
Maxi Foods
  • 5 lb Potatoes 99c. (today and Wednesday ONLY)
  • Limes 20/99c. (Sat. and Sun ONLY) (Can't wait for my lime tree to produce!)
  • Seedless watermelon 15c./lb
  • Pineapple 99c./each (WHOO HOO!)
  • BAR S Franks 69c.
  • Kraft Mac n Cheese 79c.
  • White/Red Onions 4lb/99c.
  • Friday and Saturday ONLY
    • Brown onions 6lb/99c.
    • Fuji apples 3lb/99c.
    • Chiles 2lb/99c.
    • Alta Dena sour cream 99c.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Monday List!

Nothing TOO spectacular this week.  I think the majority of shopping will be at Walgreens and Staters.

Staters
  • Buy 10, Save $5
    • Oscar Myer Wieners 99c. (There's a $1/2 coupon in the coupon insert) - looks like i"ll be stocking up!
    • Hillshire lunchmeat $2.49
    • Guerrero Tortillas 99c.
Walgreens
  • Softsoap 2/$6, Get $4 = 2/$2
  • Electrasol 20pk (Jet dry also included) $3.49, Get $1.50 = $1.99 (75c. coupon in coupon insert)
  • Dove Men Deo. $3.99, Get $3 = 99c.
  • Colgate Pro Clinical 2/$6, Get $4 = 2/$2 (75c. coupon in coupon insert)
CVS
  • Speedstick (Lady's or Men's) $2.99, Get $2 = 99c. (50c. off from last week's coupon insert)

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Wednesday Weeklies (on Thursday)

Just can't catch a break.  I am still running a day behind, as you can see.  I think I have a sinus infection, but I am hoping it's just a bad cold.  13 work days left!!!  I'm trying to hold on.  Despite feeling crummy, I couldn't help but relax on the couch (with plenty of tissue), and make out the Wednesday List.  So HERE IT IS!

Fresh N Easy
  • 98c. Produce Packs
    • Salad 12 oz.
    • Tomatoes 1 lb.
    • Cucumbers 3 count.
  • Nectarines/Peaches 98.c/lb
  • Canned Veggies 75c.
Ralphs
  • Buy 10 items to get the sale prices
    • Minute Maid OJ $1.99
    • Activia/Dannon Light n Fluffy $1.99 (4 pk)
    • CapriSun $1.49
    • Quaker Rick Snacks 99c.
    • Simply Lemonade $1.99 (LOVE THIS STUFF!!!)
    • Motts Apple Juice $1.99
    • Campbell's Condense Soups 99c.
Vons
  • Buy 2 Classico Sauces (2/$4), get free Safeway Pasta
  • Pepsi Products Buy 2, Get 2 Free (approx. $12 for 4 12-pks, NOT the greatest deal, but if you have a party coming up...)
  • Sweet Corn 8/$12 (Friday through Monday only)
  • Frozen Veggies 12-16 oz. 99c. (w/ store coupon from circular)
Albertsons
  • 88c. Items
    • Chef Boyardee Microwave Bowls/Cans
    • Hunts Canned tomatoes or Tomato Sauce (cheapest I've seen for pasta sauce!)
    • Manwich
    • Hunts Ketchup or Hunts BBQ Sauce
    • Gulden Spicy Mustard
  • Buy 10, Save $5
    • Propel/Powerade 50c.
    • Krafts Mac n. Cheese 79c.
    • Peperidge Farm Goldfish $1
Food 4 Less
  • Sweet Corn 4/$1
  • Tomatoes (On the Vine) 98c./lb
  • Foster Farm Drumsticks/Thighs 99c./lb
  • Buy 10, Save $5
    • KoolAid/CapriSun $1.48
    • Kraft BBQ Sauces 48c.
    • Powerade 48c.
    • Creamette Pasta 48c.
    • Downey $1.98
    • Knudsen Sour Cream $1.48
    • Kraft Shredded Cheese $1.48
    • Deli Fresh Lunch Meat $2.78
    • Eggo $1.48
  • Watermelon 3lb/99c.
  • Kroger Salads Varieties (16 oz.) $1
  • Bologna (BAR-S) 98c.
  • Calidad Tostadas $1
Maxi Foods
  • Sweet Oranges 6lb/99c.
  • Tropicana 99c.
  • White Corn 4/99c.
  • Brown Onions 4lb/99c.
  • Green Onions 4/$1
Staters
  • Romero Tortillas 99c.
  • Buy 10, Save $5 (Not that great of a deal unless you can stack w/ coupons)
    • Oscar Myer Wieners 99c.
    • Hillshire Lunchmeat $2.49
    • Gurrero Tortillas 99c.
El Tapatio
  • Tomatoes 2lb/99c.
  • Frozen Veggies 99c.
  • Fuji Apples 2lb/99c.
  • Corn 4/99c.
  • Bananas 2lb/99c. (Sun only)
  • Strawberries 99c./lb (Sun only)
  • Persian Limes 20/$1 (Sun only)
  • Pineapple 2/$4 (Sun only)
  • Minute Maid $1
  • 20 ct. Eggs $1.99 (Sun only)
Cardenas
  • Can Corn (15.25 oz) 3/$1
  • BAR-S Franks 99c.
  • Barilla Pasta 99c.
  • Green Bell Peppers 2/99c.
  • Limes 3lb/99c (5/11 and 5/12 only)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Monday List!!! (A Day Late)

It has been such a busy week!!!!  Our family went over to my parents' yesterday evening to celebrate my brother's 23rd birthday.  My!  How time flies!  So...I am running a day behind!  Here's my weekly "Monday" list on Tuesday. :)

RiteAid
  • Tylenol Precise Patch/Cream - $5, Get $5 UP Reward back (I have the cream and love it!)
  • Gatorade 4 pk. or Lipton Tea (1 Gal.) - 2/$6, Get $2 UP Reward = 2/$4
Walgreens
  • Colgate Total Toothpaste or Toothbrush 2/$6, Get $4 Reward = 2/$2 (I can typically get these for free, but if you're in need, it isn't a bad deal!)
  • Nexcare bandaids - $2.99, Get $2.99 Reward = FREE
CVS
  • Carefree Pantiliners - 99c. (use 99c. off in coupon insert) = FREE  (Also at Walgreens)

Friday, May 6, 2011

Friday Freebies!

Check out this blog from My Frugal Adventures for some freebies or cheap stuff you can get at Target and Walmart.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wednesday Weeklies

Sorry I am a day behind, BUT today (THRUSDAY) is a great day to head over to Ralph's!!!!

Ralphs
  • Strawberries 77c./lb (limit 4)
  • Kraft Singles 99c. (limit 2)
  • Buy 10, Save $5
    • Ronzoni Pasta 49c.
Food 4 Less
  • Buy 10 items and get these sale prices
    • Deli Fresh Lunchmeat $2.78
    • Cream Cheese 98c.
    • Powerade 48c.
    • CapriSun/KoolAid packs $1.48
    • Knudsen Sourcream (16 oz) $1.48
    • Ritz crackers/Chips Ahoy $1.98
  • Guerrero Tortillas $1
Vons
  • Buy 4, save $4
    • CapriSun $1.49
    • Motts Applejuice/Ocean Spray Cranberry $1.99
Maxi Foods
  • Foster Farm Whole Chicen 79c./lb
  • Watermelon 17c./lb
  • Tomatoes 2lb/99c.
  • Brown Onions 17c./lb
  • Straberries (Th/F only) 99c.
  • Fuji Applies 2lb/99c.
  • Navel Oranges 5lb/99c.
Stater's
  • Buy 6 items, and get them for 75c. each.
    • Hunt's Ketchup or BBQ Sauce
    • Hunt's Canned Tomatoes
    • Guilden's Spicy Brown Mustard

Monday, May 2, 2011

Manic Monday

Sundays are our day of rest.  We go to church, worship our Lord, and spend time with the family.  It's a relaxing day typically.  I also usually spend the afternoon going through the coupon inserts and Sunday ads.  I hope you were as excited as I was that the monthly PG insert came out!  (Proctor and Gamble). 

On Sundays, I start making my list of what's on sale where and what I need.  Unless I can get it for free, or at a very little OOP (out of pocket) expense, I strictly stick to what we NEED.  My rule has really become that to get it it must be on sale AND I must have a coupon for it.  Unless, of course, we ABSOLUTELY need the item, ie. diapers, and such.

Here is my list of what I plan on picking up this week.  I may not get EVERYTHING on the list.  It gives me a goal to set for our weekly budget.  Sundays are typically Non-Food lists, while Tues./Wed. are food grocery list days. 

Monday starts my "manic" shopping rounds.  I always go to stores I pass on the way to save gas, rarely venturing out too much out of my regular route unless I absolutely NEED to.  Today was Albertsons and CVS. 

Albertsons
  • Took advantage of their Buy 5 General Mills products and get a free gallon of milk (up to $4) - this is good up until tomorrow. I stacked this deal with printed coupons from coupons.com.  I used 2 75c. off multigrain cheerios, 1 $1 off 2 lucky charms, and 1 55c. off honey-nut cheerios.  I spent approx. $9.
Vons
  • I may or may not hit up Vons for this deal.  It's not a necessity, but it is a GOOD deal.  Buy 2 Pepsi products, get 2 FREE, and 1 FREE bag of Tostitos.  It'll turn out to approx. $11.98 + CRV, which isn't BAD AT ALL for 4 12-packs and a bag of chips.  However, they also have Buy 2 Get 3 FREE, so I try to wait for those deals.
CVS
  • Colgate Max Clean $2.77 Get $2.77 back = FREE (There's a cojpon for 75c. off in the smartsource coupon inserts this week)
  • Charmin $4.99 Get $1 = $3.74
  • Cascade products - Buy $10 Get $3 Back (I got these today because I had $7 ECB's to use.), I ended up spending $1.01.
    • Cascase dish detergent - $4  (Used $1 from PG booklet mailer I sent off for)
    • Magic Eraser - $3 (I got 2) (Used $1.50 off 2 Mr. Clean products from this week's coupon insert)
  • Bic Soliel Shimmer $6.99 Get $3 = $3.99 (There is also a $3 off coupon in the PG insert)
Walgreens
  • Noxema Razors (4 pk) $3.99 Get $3 = 99c (There's a $2 coupon for this in the redplum coupon insert)
  • Bic Soleil (4 pk - disposables) $5.99 Get $2 (There's a $3 off coupon in the smartsource coupon insert)
  • ProGlide Gillette Razor $9.99 Get $5 = $4.99 (Use the $4 off in the PG coupon insert and it's 99c!)
  • Arizone Tea 2/$1 w/ store coupon (I really like these, they are SO refreshing!)
Let me know if you guys find any SUPER UBER deals this week!