Did a little grocery shopping... 62% saved!

I have been running a little slim in the fridge and freezer lately since over the last few months, I have been really only cooking what I already had from summer and fall stock ups! So, I planned a little trip to Publix and Kroger tonight.

BTW - take a hint from me....YOU HAVE TO BE SUPER ORGANIZED. Don't say you will plan to do a little shopping on your lunch break or on your way home when you FORGET THE COUPONS TOTE AT HOME!!! I purposefully place the items I need to take to work with in bags and put them in front of the door so I have to see them when I leave for work. However in my cold medicine and oops on the snooze button induced morning fog, I moved the bag, opened the door and went to work. Totally forgetting the bags I laid out to take. Anyway - I hope you are more alert than that so you don't have to drive all the way home JUST TO GET THE COUPONS before you hit the store.

Anyway, first I went to Kroger where I was only really looking for items listed in the Mega Event (which is a big list of items that when purchased in groups of 10 - will earn you an extra $5.00 off your total bill.) Luckily, Jenny @ SouthernSavers and her little band of coupon elves posts all the items in the list, as well as coupon matchups. So all you have to do it find the coupons in your stash of inserts, or print them from links she provides.

My list was pretty simple:
8 Hunts Tomatoes ($.99 each)
2 Mac & Cheese ($1.79 each)
5 Wanchai Ferry frozen dinners ($4.99 each)
2 Armor Meatballs ($2.99 each)
2 Kraft Singles American Cheese ($2.19 each)
1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese ($1.49)
(Also bought 1 bag Kroger rice - 69 cents)
















So - 20 total items, which would earn me $10 off my order.

I had 5 $1.50 coupons for Wanchai Ferry (SS 1/2), 2 $.55 - Meatballs (SS 12/12), 2 $1 off Kraft 2% singles (IP), and $1/3 Hunts (Jan. All You Magazine).

Total: $67.89
Coupons: $11.60
Store Sales/Mega Deal: $26.40
Total Saved $38.00
Total OOP: $29.89
*Savings of 55%


Now on to Publix...

I did a little better at Publix, which typically seems to be the case for most grocery trips.

They had their "Buy Ours, Get Theirs" promotion going on this week where you buy a Name Brand item, and get the Publix brand for that item for free. I was able to score free spaghetti noodles, pasta sauce and parmesan cheese by buying the Muellers, Ragu and Kraft versions of the same. I only had 1 coupon in this deal ($.55 off 1 box of Muellers), but for $5.08, I got 2 boxes noodles, 2 jars pasta sauce and 2 cans of parm. cheese. In essence - I got about 4 meals for $5. You can barely get a "Value Meal" for that price! Kim & I typically buy these any time they offer this special. (*P.S. Baby Spinach was also included in this. But since I forgot to write it down before I went, I asked the only Publix employee who doesn't have a clue and he said no it wasn't included. But looking now, it's on SouthernSavers that it is. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.*

Now on to the rest of my list:
















4 Aunt Jemima Waffles (used a Rain Check from a few weeks ago when they were out. NOTE - Publix rain checks only valid for 30 days.) (BOGO special - $1.20 a box.)
1 Red Baron Pizza ($5.79)
2 cans Emerald Cinnamon Almonds (BOGO - $2.90 each)
1 Thomas Blueberry bagels (BOGO - $2.10)
2 8pk Deer Park Aquapods (2/$3.00)
2 Newman's Own Salsa (2/$4.00)
1 Kraft Parm Cheese (see above)
1 Muellers Pasta (see above)
1 Ragu Sauce (see above)
1 French's Mustard (BOGO - $.88)
2 A-1 sauces (BOGO - $1.96)
2 Uncle Ben's Rice (BOGO - $3.99)
2 Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel ($3.99 each)
2 SB Toilet Wand refills ($4.29 each)
2 bags Tastefully Simple red potatoes (BOGO - $1.99)

Total: $94.42 (+ tax for cleaning products only; Lexington Cty doesn't tax groceries)
Coupons (and coupon doubles/store deals): $57.81
Total OOP: $37.77
*Rebate eligible: $5.79 for Red Baron pizza
Total adjusted OOP once rebate is paid: $31.98

***Coupons used:
2 $1/2 Waffles (IP)
1 $1 Red Baron (IP; which means $1 profit after full rebate!)
2 $1 Emerald Nuts (RP 1/2)
2 $1 Deer Park (Facebook Like: IP)
2 $1 Newman's Own product (IP)
1 $.50 Mustard (IP - MADE IT FREE!)
2 Buy 1 Gel, Get Wand or Refill Free coupons (SS 1/9)
1 $2/2 Scrubbing Bubbles (Publix Right at Home Booklet)
2 $1 Tastefully simple potatoes (IP)
1 $1/2 Uncle Ben's product (RP 1/9)
1 $.55 Muellers pasta (IP)
2 $.50 off A-1

All in all, not a bad shopping evening... I even cooked up some Wanchai Ferry Orange Chicken for dinner (and have leftovers for lunch tomorrow). It is SOOO GOOD. Totally not a carb-diet friendly choice if you happen to be following on of those, but if not, and you love Chinese take out - it tastes as good or better than some I have overpaid for at $10. Try it! (There are also inter printable links on SS to save $1.50 in case you missed that paper.)









So until next time - happy saving!

Shannon

More savings today! CVS & Publix 84.5% saved!

I decided to try my luck at CVS today and see if the location downtown had any of the Finish detergents since Lexington (on 3 sep. trips), Cayce, West Columbia and even one store in Hendersonville, NC were all been out. And again, no luck. However, the manager there told me he would substitute Cascade and accept my Finish coupons for the transaction. They also had Pepsi deal again this week (spend $20, get $10 ECB), so I took advantage of that again. Transactions are below.















Transaction #1 -
5 bags of 20 ct. Cascade - $3.00 each
2 bottles of Cascade - $3.00 each
Total: $21.00 + tax
Coupons used:
2 $2.25 off Finish from 1/2 insert (however they actually rang up $2.50!)
3 $1.00 off Finish (1 IP, 2 from 1/2 insert)
1 50 cents off IP
ECB Used: $4 from Monday's shopping trip (Nature Valley bars)
Gift cards redeemed: $1.26 & $7.58
Paid out of pocket: $1.13
EB Back: $10
(Deal actually a "profit" of $8.87

Transaction #2 -
6 Pepsi Max 12 pks. (on sale for 3 for $10)
Total $20 + tax
ECB Used: $10 from Transaction #1
Paid OOP: $10.10
ECB Back: $10
(Deal actually FREE!)

Transaction #3 -
6 Secret Deodorants (on sale for $3.99 each)
Total: $23.94 + tax
Coupons used:
2 B2G1 Free Coupons from 1/9 RP
1 50 cents off Secret P&G 12/26
ECB Used: $10 from Transaction #2
Cash: $2 (from 2 $1/2 off Lysol coupons SS 1/2 - adjusted receipt from 10/13)
Total OOP: $5.14

Total spent OOP: $16.37
Total saved: $84.95
85% savings!
**I am out of ECB which I am not a fan of, but hopefully I can find a deal I like and get a few with paying little OOP this week or next.**

I also made a quick trip to Publix tonight, and spent just $5.79 and saved $27.32!
I used a few Publix coupons and paired them with manufacturer coupons and was able to get a few things for free and "made" money on a few!









4 boxes Jolly Time Pop Corn (on sale for $1.00 each)
2 pks. Stayfree liners ($3.21 each)
2 boxes Betty Crocker instant Potatoes (on sale for $1.00 each)
3 packages Martha White Blueberry Muffin mix (99 cents each)
2 First Aid Travel kits ($1.47 each)
2 boxes Band Aids ($2.39 each)
1 bag Texas Toast croutons (on sale 99 cents)
Total: $24.09 + tax
Coupons Used:
55 cents off Texas Toast croutons (SS 11/14)
2 50 cents off Band Aid (DOUBLED to $1 each; SS 1/9)
2 $1 off Johnson Johnson product IP (When coupled with the Publix coupon below - I made $1.06)
2 $2 off/2 J&J products/band aids (Publix coupon)
2 50 cents off Jolly Time pop corn (DOUBLED - made it FREE! SS 1/9)
$1 off/2 Jolly Time IP (made it 25 cents each box; submitting 3 UPCs for free shopping bag)
55 cents off/2 Martha hite Baking Mix (RP 11/7)
B2G1 free Martha White (Publix coupon)
2 $1 off Stayfree (Publix Coupon)
B1G1 Stayfree (SS 1/9 - when used both, they were both free, and I made 79 cents).
Total OOP: $5.79
Savings: $27.32
82.5% savings!!


I am excited about a few deals coming out this week at Publix and can't wait to see what else I can find!!

Until then.. happy saving!

Shannon

I got all this for 29 cents! 99.3% savings!

I had a pretty good day today with 2 small trips to Rite Aid and CVS.

Rite Aid:
I got a gallon of PET Milk for 29 cents. It was $3.29 (no tax on grocery foods in Lexington), and I used $3 in Up Rewards from last week's purchases.

CVS:
3 Transations -

Transaction #1:
3 boxes Special K Vanilla Almond (they were on sale for 3 boxes for $10, and get $4 in ECB).
2 bottles of Dawn dish detergent (on sale for 97 cents each).
Total: $11.94
Coupons: $1.00 off Dawn hand renewal, $.50 off Dawn hand renewal
ECB used: $10 from last week's TP/Paper Towels
Total: 46 cents
Paid using pharmacy gift card from summer Rx transfer.
ECB back: $4

Transaction #2:
3 boxes Nature Valley granola fruit bars (they were on sale for 3 boxes for $10, and get $4 in ECB).
1 bottle Cascade dish detergent (on sale for $2.99)
Total: $12.99 + tax
Coupons: 25 cents off Cascade from P&G newspaper insert
ECB used: $4 from Transaction #1
Total $8.95
Paid using pharmacy gift card from summer Rx transfer.
ECB back: $4

*After this transaction, I found a coupon in the car that I forgot to use. So I went back in the store to get my ECB for 75 cents off 2 of the 3 Nature Valley bar (from a newspaper insert), however, the store issued me a $1 ECB instead. So I will then use it on Transaction #3.

Transaction #3:
1 bottle Cascade ($2.99 sale)
Total: $2.99 + tax
Coupons: 25 cents off Cascade from P&G insert
EB Used: $1 from note above.
Total: $1.88
Paid using pharmacy gift card from summer Rx transfer.

My total cash out of pocket today was 29 cents.
My total savings: $28.18
ECB left: $4
99.3% Savings!!!!

Wow - I also just realized I forgot to use a Special K coupon $1 off 2 boxes on Transaction #1. I will run back by there to get my $1 ECB credit for that coupon. (This will edit my savings to a PROFIT of 71 cents for the day!) This coupon policy is my new favorite realization. CVS will adjust your receipt with coupons you "forgot to use" by scanning your receipt and issuing you ECB for the coupon amount. I have used it a few times over the last week for about $9 in savings after the fact. THANK YOU CVS for being customer friendly!

So until next time... happy saving!

Shannon

Saved 72% at CVS ... and I might not have to buy toilet paper until 2013!

Ok, I got all of this today in 5 transactions in 3 trips to 2 CVS stores (and a partridge in a pear tree. HAHA) and I spent $61.75 in cash, saved $121.18 and still have $10 ECB to use next trip and this is a savings of 72%!

1st transaction:
1. Hydro Schick Razor - on sale for $5, had CVS mailed coupon for FREE (but the coupon rang up $9.99, so I MADE $4.99 on this purchase!)
2. Twin pack of Clear Care contact solution - on sale for $14.99 and get $5 ECB. I used a $3 coupon from the newspaper (not sure of the date because I got it from the coupon swap box at work) and a $3 coupon from the CVS "scan your card" machine at the store.
My total was: $5.40
Savings: $27.18
(*Note - $5.40 is FSA eligble so I will get reimbursed for this purchase!)

2nd Transaction:
1. 2 packages of 48 big rolls of Scott toilet paper. (on sale for $10 each).
2. 1 package of 15 big rolls of Scott paper towels. (on sale for $10).
Total: $30.00
Used: $5 ECB from Transaction #1.
Grand total: $27.10
Savings: $21.17
ECB: $10 back

3rd Transaction:
1. 6 containers of Lysol Wipes (on sale of $3 each)
2. 1 bottle of Lysol Spray (on sale for $4)
Total: $22.00
Used: $10 ECB from Transaction #2.
Grand total: $13.54
Savings: $20.73
ECB: $10 back

***I forgot to print out a few coupons to use on the above transactions, so I printed them and took them back to the store and they adjusted the receipts by issuing me ECB for the coupons, I had a total of $5 worth. ***

4th Transaction (2nd store):
1. 6 Pepsi product 12-packs (on sale for 6 for $20)
Total: $20.00
Used: $10 ECB from Transaction #3 & $5 ECB from the coupon adjustments.
Grand total: $5.01
Savings: $26.13
ECB: $10 back

5th Transaction:
1. 1 pack of 5 big rolls Scott paper towels (on sale for $10)
2. 2 packs of 24 rolls Scott toilet paper (the VERY NICE cashier substituted these for the 48 pack since they were out). (both for $10)
Total $20.00
Used: $10 ECB from Transaction #4
Grand total: $10.70
ECB: $10 back

If I can get more Scott coupons, I will take receipt back for additional adjustments. But I printed all I could on my computer. (PS - if you have any, I will take them!)

So broken out totals:
Total Spent: $61.75
Total Saved: $121.18
Coupons used: $20.99
ECB received: $45.00
ECB still left to spend: $10.00

They were still out of the Finish dish washing detergent so I am going to check one more CVS tomorrow, if they have them then I will be done for the week at CVS. Hopefully I will spend just another $11, and get back another $10 in ECB and have 7 packages of DW soap!

I hope this helps some of you run out to CVS. Remember, they give rainchecks and they will include your ECB on them!! So even if they dont have the finish tomorrow, I can get them when they are back in stock with my Raincheck!!

Until next time, happy saving!

Shannon

I MADE $2.72 at Rite Aid tonight

Seriously.

I got 4 boxes of Special K and 2 boxes of Ziploc bags and I paid $1.28 at Rite Aid, but I received $4 in UP Rewards after my purchase and therefore I cleared a profit of $2.72.
















The cereal is on sale for Buy-one-Get-one Free sale (BOGO), with one box being $4.79. I signed up for a Special K challenge that I read about on Southern Savers and printed 2 coupons for BOGO Special K. And for those who are new to couponing, many stores will allow you to use a BOGO coupon on a BOGO item and you get BOTH for FREE! Essentially, the store is giving you one for free, and the coupon is giving you one for free, so that's how that works!

The Ziploc bags were on sale for 2/$4 and I had a coupon for $1 off 2 boxes. That made it $3 I had a $2 UP Rewards from my purchase Sunday night, so now I only owed $1 cash plus tax.

In all, I saved $24.14 or 95%!


And while this is an AWESOME little shop, not every trip to a store is successful. I also went to CVS and everything I was looking for, was OUT OF STOCK. Grrrr.... that usually is a problem at CVS in Lexington on 378. I am gonna try the Cayce location on the way to work tomorrow and hope my luck is better there.

Until next time... happy saving!

Shannon

A few more weekend deals

I made a few more small trips Saturday and Sunday and spent just $6.75 total and saved a WHOPPING $39.47... AND I got $4 Up Rewards to spend at Rite Aid for a grand total of $2.75 for more than $45 worth of items!

At Publix I got:






The NyQuil & DayQuil single packs were $1.29 each. I used a coupon for $3.00 off purchase of both. I "made" $0.42 on this. The Airborne single pack was $1.69 and I used an IP coupon for $1.50 and the bananas were just to add an item so I didn't have the whole "you owe me money" scenario at the store.



Then I went to Bi-Lo today and got 8 free boxes of Mueller's pasta, 16 oz. bottle of EVOO for $2.52 and a bag of trail mix for $.66 and a box of chicken bake for $.02. The pasta was free because it was on sale for $1.00 and I used 8 IP coupons for $.55 that doubled and maxed at $1. The EVOO and the bake each had a $1 IP, and the trail mix had a $.50 IP that doubled to $1. My total was $3.20 and my savings was $21.01.




















Lastly, I went to Rite Aid for free Special K, cheap Ziploc containers and a money maker on feminine products. Sadly, they were out of cereal and containers, so all I got were the feminine products, but I did make $1.30 in the end. I used B1G1F coupons and 2 $1 IP. I paid $2.70 for more than $16 worth of goods. I got rainchecks for the Special K and the Ziploc containers and am hoping they will get more later this week.

I am revived and excited to continue to find more deals this week!!

Until next time, happy saving!

Shannon

Quick Trip to Publix, 1-7-11

I haven't been going to the grocery store because of all the holiday dinners and parties and because of my nicely stocked pantry! So, now that I am cooking at home again and my pantry is starting to empty out a bit, I am beginning to get back into the groove of my couponing. And thanks to the Facebook post of my friend Lisa, I was inspired to make a quick list for Publix. So tonight after work armed with a small list and a few internet printed coupons, I picked up 2 bottles of red wine vinegar, 2 packages of Green Giant frozen corn and 1 bottle of salad dressing and my total was a "whopping" $1.55.

It might have been a small load, but it was big on savings... about 90%! That's exactly how I like to roll... ladies and gentlemen, I am back!