Feeding our four

I'm just trying to keep up at this point!

2012-08-31T08:10:00.003-07:00

8/15/12- Piggly Wiggly- $80.80

8/20/12- Ingles- $6.45

8/26/12- Big Lots- $28.14

8/26/12- Food Lion- $62.19

8/26/12- Lowes Foods- $78.65

8/30/12- Lowes Foods- $53.04

Total spent: $309.27
Total spent in 2012: $3124.54
Remaining annual balance: $2595.46
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2595.46

Time for another post!

2012-08-13T13:35:00.004-07:00

3/12/12- Food Lion- $50.40
7/5/12- Lowes Foods- $65.69
7/11/12- Food Lion- $54.49
7/17/12- Food Lion- $51.02
7/19/12- Lowes Foods- $42.70
7/19/12- Food Lion- $47.60
8/7/12- Harris Teeter- $50.65
8/7/12- Food Lion- $64.61

Total spent: $427.16
Total spent in 2012: $2815.27
Remaining annual balance: $2904.73
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2904.73

Found more receipts!

2012-07-02T07:17:00.004-07:00

Unsurprisingly, I've located a few more receipts. I KNEW I wasn't doing THAT good this year!

1/22/12- Harris Teeter- $16.86
4/14/12- Food Lion- $109.03
4/24/12- Harris Teeter- $38.26
4/30/12- Family Dollar- $29.96
4/30/12- Food Lion- $37.00
5/18/12- Food Lion- $56.35
5/18/12- Harris Teeter- $51.69
5/23/12- Food Lion- $27.54
5/25/12- Lowes Foods- $89.06
6/26/12- Lowes Foods- $50.04
6/28/12- Lowes Foods- $70.58
6/28/12- Harris Teeter- $14.78

Total spent: $591.15
Total spent in 2012: $2388.11
Remaining annual balance: $3331.89
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $3331.89

And now it's June!

2012-06-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

Actually, it's almost JULY!! Where has the time gone?

To say I haven't done well keeping up this year would be a huge understatement. Here 2012 is almost half over and I am just lost. I'm going to list all the receipts I can find and see where it goes from here!

Food Lion 4/7/12- $70.29
Food Lion 4/18/12- $14.62
Piggly Wiggly 4/27/12- $69.36
CVS 4/27/12- $12.95
Lowes Foods 4/27/12- $69.09
Food Lion 5/4/12- $27.27
Lowes Foods 5/5/12- $40.04
Harris Teeter 5/5/12- $16.65
Food Lion 5/6/12- $9.12
Wal-Mart 5/6/12- $14.02
Lowes Foods 5/11/12- $40.88
Lowes Foods 5/18/12- $43.03
Food Lion 6/2/12- $22.50
Food Lion 6/3/12- $55.08
Harris Teeter 6/3/12- $40.93
Food Lion 6/6/12- $25.05
Harris Teeter 6/8/12- $41.20
Target 6/12/12- $19.31
Harris Teeter 6/15/12- $27.37
Food Lion 6/16/12- $35.67
Harris Teeter 6/16/12- $36.64
Rite Aid 6/18/12- $3.67
Harris Teeter 6/20/12- $63.18
Harris Teeter 6/22/12- $65.23

Total spent: $863.15
Total spent in 2012: $1796.96
Remaining annual balance: $3923.04
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $3923.04

And now...it's April!

2012-04-02T10:16:00.003-07:00

So we moved. We didn't just move, we moved a long, long way. In addition to that? I haven't handled it quite as well as I hoped.

However, I really want to make a new start and really try to account for everything I've spent since I've moved. To that end, here are the receipts I've kept. I'll keep updating if I find more!

2/11/12- Kroger- $50.03
2/11/12- CVS- $11.85
2/11/12- Ingles- $33.18
2/15/12- Kroger- $59.12
3/4/12- Piggly Wiggly- $42.66
3/4/12- Piggly Wiggly- $16.13
3/4/12- Wal-Mart- $14.89
3/11/12- Big Lots- $14.91
3/12/12- Piggly Wiggly- $83.16
3/13/12- Lowes Foods- $75.20
3/18/12- Big Lots- $10.00
3/19/12- Food Lion- $33.95
3/24/12- Piggly Wiggly- $48.73
3/26/12- CVS- $27.02
3/29/12- CVS- $36.62
3/30/12- Food Lion- $84.37

That's all I can find for now. That's enough! If I find more, I will update.

Total spent: $641.82
Total spent in 2012: $933.81
Remaining annual balance: $4786.19
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $4796.18

Kroger- 1/31/12

2012-02-05T08:53:00.001-08:00

I think I'm doing okay so far this year. I'm trying very hard to use up what we have before we move at the end of February!

Total spent: $80.82
Total spent in 2012: $291.99
Remaining annual balance: $5428.01
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $5428.01

Kroger- 1/19/12

2012-01-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

I shopped a little early this week for two reasons. Mostly because I was out of bread and also because I wanted to have a weekend during which I didn't have to do ANYTHING.

I spent $55.35/ Saved $42.56

Total spent: $55.35
Total spent in 2012: $211.17
Remaining annual balance: $5508.83
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $5508.83

Kroger 1/14/2012

2012-01-15T06:37:00.001-08:00

Didn't save a ton, but there weren't a lot of good sales this week. I'm hoping for a Mega-sale soon.

Spent $53.97/ Saved $32.75

Total spent: $53.97
Total spent in 2012: $155.82
Remaining annual balance: $5564.18
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $5564.18

Let's get back on track, shall we?

2012-01-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

So I obviously totally blew my 2011 budget out of the water. I don't even know if I still have all my receipts, but in the spirit of being honest (or making my best effort to do so anyway), I'm going to document what I do have.

11/6/11- Food Lion- $59.81
11/14/11- Big Lots- $5.46
11/16/11- Wal-Mart- $68.77
11/20/11- Kroger- $156.49
11/25/11- Big Lots- $27.34
11/28/11- Kroger- $10.99
11/30/11- Food City- $9.99
12/3/11- Ingles- $119.30
12/7/11- Food City- $26.78
12/7/11- Big Lots- $15.38
12/18/11- Ingles- $171.51 (GASP)
12/24/11- Food City- $31.35
12/27/11- Wal-Mart- $45.16
12/31/11- Wal-Mart- $9.92

I really don't know if that is all. I think it is. But 2011 is done and gone and I can't fret over it anymore. Onward and upward!

Total spent: $758.25
Total spent in 2011: $5981.40
Remaining annual balance: -$781.40
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: -$781.40

So my weekly average was about $115.03. Even though I didn't meet my goal, I did pretty good for a family of four and one hungry dog.

I am setting my goal for 2012 at $110/week.

My other goals are: eating less junk food (and hopefully losing weight), keeping up with this blog, trying to cut back on my soda consumption, and eating what I have in the house before buying more. I'm hardly an extreme couponer, but I do need to be better about using up what I have.

To that end, here is my first shopping trip of 2012!

I shopped at Ingles and Kroger.

1/7/12- Ingles- $39.08 (savings:$16.02)
1/7/12- Kroger- $62.77 (savings:$40.64)

Total: $101.85

Total spent: $101.85
Total spent in 2012: $101.85
Remaining annual balance: $5618.15
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $5618.15

I have no idea where I am right now.

2011-10-28T06:45:00.001-07:00

Life has been CRAZY lately. I think it's been about a month since I've updated.

10/4/2011- Kroger- $112.59
10/9/2011- Kroger- $15.90
10/10/2011- Kroger- $97.37
10/17/2011- Kroger- $111.65
10/22/2011- Kroger- $90.86
10/26/2011- Food City- $3.58
10/27/2011- Food City- $85.76

I think this is all. Lord have mercy!

Total spent: $517.71
Total spent in 2011: $5223.15
Remaining annual balance: -$23.15
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: -$23.15

As you can see, I have already blown my annual budget. And I still have Thanksgiving and Christmas to get through! *sigh*

I will still continue to track through the end of the year. I'll use those numbers to make my budget for next year. Maybe next year's budget will be a little more realistic, especially as my children get older (and eat more).

I don't consider this a failed experiment, just an opportunity to do better.

Updated receipts!

2011-09-28T12:27:00.001-07:00

9/16/11- Food Lion- $35.20
9/16/11- Kroger- $99.67
9/21/11- Food City-$2.68
9/22/11- Kroger- $120.09
9/26/11- Food City- $7.20
9/28/11- Kroger- $85.36

I really don't think I'm going to make my goal this year. I'm already very close and it's only September. Sigh. I'm pretty disappointed.

Total spent: $350.20
Total spent in 2011: $4705.44
Remaining annual balance: $494.56
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $494.56

I guess it's time for another update!

2011-09-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Since my receipt pile is getting enormous again. Sigh.

8/21/11- Dollar Tree- $5.44
8/27/11- Wal-Mart- $59.58
8/31/11- Big Lots- $3.28
9/3/11- Food City- $14.05
9/3/11- Kroger- $63.70
9/10/11- Big Lots- $5.46
9/10/11- Kroger- $64.75

I've been really, really trying to keep it under $100 a week. I really need to be about $70 a week now, since I've overspent earlier this year. We'll see how I do.

Total spent: $216.26
Total spent in 2011: $4355.24
Remaining annual balance: $844.76
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $844.76

Receipts!

2011-08-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

8/14/11- Food City- $21.53
8/17/11- Angel Food Ministries- $63.38
8/18/11- Food City- $27.97
8/19/11- CVS- $9.70
8/21/11- Big Lots- $21.06
8/21/11- Wal-Mart- $25.34
8/21/11- Kroger- $64.00

Total: $232.98

Total spent: $232.98
Total spent in 2011: $4138.98
Remaining annual balance: $1061.02
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $1061.02

I really don't know if I'm going to make it the rest of the year and the remaining budget. The good news is that I have a ton of stuff stockpiled. The bad news is, I'm still shopping.

Tomorrow I have to pick up my AngelFood. I will also need to get some things for lunches for next week (lunch meat only lasts so long). I'm trying to stock up on things while they are inexpensive, but I just feel like I keep finding more and more good deals. I'm frustrated with myself. I really need to try to do better.

Let's try to get caught up again.

2011-08-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Sigh.

I do keep my receipts...I just don't understand why keeping things updated is so terribly hard for me. I think it's because I'm a huge slacker, but I'm not sure.

Anyway!

Kroger- 7/26/11- $53.08
Food City- 7/26/11- $21.74
Kroger- 7/29/11- $12.65
Food City- 7/30/11- $25.09
CVS- 8/1/11- $13.49
Kroger- 8/1/11- $79.61
Food City- 8/5/11- $48.58
Kroger- 8/8/11- $52.78
Food City- 8/8/11- $40.86
Kroger- 8/14/11- $80.23

Total spent: $428.11
Total spent in 2011: $3906.00
Remaining annual balance: $1294.00
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $1294.00

Forgot a receipt

2011-07-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

Ugh, I HATE when I do that. I thought I was doing pretty well and I found a receipt for Food City from 7/6/11 in my purse. I'm further upset that the frozen fruit I bought on that trip was significantly more expensive than I thought. GRRRR.

Anyway.

7/6/11- Food City- $76.62

I did a HUGE trip on 7/20/11. My cart was literally overflowing. I didn't take pictures of everything, but here's an idea of how it was when I came home:

At Kroger I spent $101.46 and saved $139.46. I got Wisk detergent, Classico Pasta sauce, 4 packs of bacon, 8 Lean Cuisine meals, four boxes of cereal, six bottles of Johnson and Johnson Baby powder and...well, tons more stuff. I'm really not kidding when I say my cart was full.

I also went to Food City on the 20th and bought what seemed like very little for $42.96. In reality I got 6.85lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast, 4.72lbs boneless chuck roast, and a few other things. Not much. My receipt says I saved $34.75.

My husband went to Food City on 7/21/11 and bought water for $6.44.

That's all. I THINK.

Total spent: $227.48
Total spent in 2011: $3477.89
Remaining annual balance: $1722.11
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $1722.11

It's been forever since I've updated!

2011-07-11T16:48:00.001-07:00

My goodness!

I did keep all of my receipts though. I'm proud of myself for that at least!

Here's what I've spent:

Walgreens- 6/19/11- $2.19
Kroger- 6/19/11- $22.28
CVS- 6/20/11- $1.42
Food City- 6/20/11- $51.00
Dollar Tree- 6/26/11- $6.54
Kroger- 6/26/11- $52.99
Food City- 6/29/11- $12.55
Kroger- 7/1/11- $64.66
Big Lots- 7/5/11- $8.08
CVS- 7/5/11- $2.86
Kroger- 7/5/11- $5.75
Walgreens- 7/5/11- $3.39
Food City- 7/7/11- $3.97
Kroger- 7/10/11- $90.51

I barely have any pictures, but here are a few I do have:

I won't list out all my purchases because that would take forever, but among the deals I got:

-8 Lean Cuisines entrees
-2 cans of Barbasol shave cream
-16 cans of Chef-boyardee
-6 jars of Classico Pasta sauce
-6 boxes of cereal
-14 boxes of pizza rolls
-5 frozen pizzas
-33 gallons of water
-2 boxes of Tampax Pearl tampons

I'm pretty pleased with my shopping lately!

Total spent: $328.19
Total spent in 2011: $3250.41
Remaining annual balance: $1949.59
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $1949.59

Updates

2011-06-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

CVS- 6/14/11- $2.02

I used my $3 ECB, two $5/1 John Freida, and $1/1 Pert Plus. I got a $3 ECB back.

CVS- 6/15/11- $1.07

I didn't use or earn any ECB's, but I did get a coupon for $0.99 12-pk of Pepsi or Diet Pepsi. I couldn't pass that up!

Walgreens- 6/15/11- $12.94

This was a little more than I wanted to spend out-of-pocket, but I got 6 jars of pasta sauce, two jars of Skippy and 4 butterfinger bars for less than $13 AND I got a $5 RR back. That's really not bad.

Food-Lion- 6/16/11- $58.05

Food Lion is having their BIG DEAL promotion, which is similar to a Kroger Mega sale. They didn't have a huge amount of stuff that really appealed to me, but the Pepsi 2-liters made it worthwhile. They ended up being $0.75 each, so I got 14!

Wal-Mart- 6/16/11- $34.07

Not a big trip to Wal-Mart, but I did get chicken breast for $1.32/lb, which is awesome and the buns for my husbands lunch sandwiches ended up being $1.61. I also found ONE copy of AllYou magazine and it had a bunch of coupons in it, so I was pretty happy overall.

Total spent: $108.15
Total spent in 2011: $2922.22
Remaining annual balance: $2277.78
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2277.78

Staying out of stores

2011-06-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

This morning I sat down to write a grocery list for this week and...seriously I'm having a really hard time. I guess I've crossed some imaginary line in my head. I've seriously said to myself, "I can't see paying $2 a box for Fiber One Bars". I LOVE Fiber One bars, but I just can't do it.

I shopped a little a few days ago, but nothing in the stores is thrilling my soul. I'll probably have to pick up some meat and soda soon, but not much else. I guess it's good that I'm saving money, right?

Walgreens- $3.65

Not usually a Walgreens shopper, but I couldn't pass that up. I got back a $2 RR too!

CVS- $3.93

Another mistake...I meant to get two conditioners and I got one conditioner and one shampoo. Ugh. Anyway, I'm sure it will be used. I got a $3 ECB for buying these, so basically all I paid is tax. I'm sure this ECB will be used.

Kroger- $71.53

I saved $66.46. Not great, but 51% is not bad.

Total spent: $79.11
Total spent in 2011: $2814.07
Remaining annual balance: $2385.93
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2385.93

June spending...so far

2011-06-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

Man, June just started and I've already spent money. I was thinking the other day I was doing better, but I don't know that I am yet.

June 1st-CVS:

My out-of-pocket was $1.77 and I got $3 back in ECB's. According to my receipt I saved $16.91.

June 1st-Food City:

It is sad when I consider bananas a splurge, but lately they have been. Silly.

I spent $50.31 and saved $24.02. I mainly went for those packs of Idahoan potatoes and the Bottom round roast. $2.49/lb isn't terrible for that.

This was my most disappointing purchase:

June 4th- Wal-Mart: $52.46

Doesn't that seem like almost nothing for $52.46? I got:
-100oz. Tide
-2 Lays Stax
-80ct. Bounce sheets
-3 Hormel lunch meats
-1 pack provolone cheese
-6 ct. sub rolls
-2.46lbs Bananas
-2lbs 93/7 ground beef
-5.23lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast

That's it. I only used 4 coupons and of course they don't double. But still. Man.

Total spent: $104.54
Total spent in 2011: $2734.96
Remaining annual balance: $2465.04
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2465.04

Food is expensive

2011-06-04T08:43:00.001-07:00

Man, it really seems like food prices have gone up so much in 2011. It's crazy.

5/27/11- Kroger

I paid $55.58 and saved $55.37. Not a great trip, but not horrible either I guess.

I also went to Food City on 5/27/11:

I paid $25.49 and saved $22.10. Food City seems to have better deals on their own private brand, which of course has no coupons. They also don't double.

No picture from Kroger 5/26/11. My husband bought gallons of water and spent $20.14 (21 gallons of water...we try to stay stocked up).

That's all from May. So far I'm averaging around $125 per week so far, so obviously I need to cut down a bit. I'll do another post to update for June so far.

Total spent: $101.21
Total spent in 2011: $2630.42
Remaining annual balance: $2569.58
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2569.58

I need to update before I shop again!

2011-05-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

I have a few receipts and I just need so much to get organized!

Here's CVS from 5/2/11:

I spent $9.91 and I got back $5 in ECB's.

I shopped at Kroger on 5/21/11 and spent $56.30. I saved $68.83. I won't type it all out, but a lot of it was frozen foods, since they were having a frozen foods sale.

Here is CVS from yesterday:

I was so hoping the Classico pasta sauce would be on sale, but of course it wasn't. I like the Ragu just fine, but I have coupons for the Classico.

I spent $11.24 and got back $7 in ECB's. I also got really cute blue nail polish!

I also shopped Wal-Mart and Ingles on the 21st. I spent $48.23 at Wal-Mart (which included 2 twenty-four packs of Diet Pepsi and 10.05lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cheese, frozen fruit, and pork ribs). I spent $48.73 at Ingles and saved $35.91.

I'm all caught now, hurray!

Total spent: $174.41
Total spent in 2011: $2529.21
Remaining annual balance: $2670.79
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2670.79

Krogering

2011-05-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

I have two Kroger receipts and one CVS receipt. I need to get all of these entered, but I think the CVS will have to wait since I actually took a picture of my swag from there and it's on my computer. I can never be good about remembering everything at once!

5/17/11:
2- Kroger Popcorn (6pks)
3- Grands Biscuits
2- Kroger Tortilla chips
1- Angel soft bath tissue
1- Lean Pockets
1- Nature Valley granola bar (free coupon)
2- Ban deodorant ($0.64 each after coupons. Not great, but not bad either)
1- Kandoo baby wipes (free)
1- Gallon Kroger Skim milk

Total: $19.72 (saved $14.33)

5/14/11:
This was a mega-sale trip. I mostly stocked up on Freschetta pizza, Johnson's and Johnson's baby powder, Nestle cookie dough, and Ronzoni Quick cook pasta. I have not the energy or desire to type out the whole list right now. Ha!

I spent: $42.30 (saved $51.40)

Not my best mega-sale trip, but not my worst either.

Total spent: $62.02
Total spent in 2011: $2354.80
Remaining annual balance: $2845.20
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2845.20

Some with pictures, some without.

2011-05-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

I really would like to get caught up eventually. My goodness.

Here is a small trip at Wal-Mart from 5/2/11:

Guess what we've been eating lately?

Spent: $12.37 (saved $5.25)

This is from Big Lots on 5/12/11:

I really like Big Lots, even though it's sometimes hard to tell how much you've saved there.

Spent: $19.12

This is from Kroger on 5/4/11:

The mega sale wasn't fabulous, but it wasn't bad either. I saved 69% on this particular trip.

Spent: $17.16 (saved $33.85)

I made another mega-sale trip at Kroger on 5/6/11. I spent $62.46 and saved $68.22.

I also have a receipt from Wal-Mart from 5/14. I spent $24.68 (includes 5.8lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast and a 28pk of water for my husband).

I have one other receipt from CVS and one from Kroger from 5/14, which I need to locate to be totally caught up.

Total spent: $135.79
Total spent in 2011: $2292.78
Remaining annual balance: $2907.22
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $2907.22

Update 'em if you got 'em!

2011-05-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday because my sweet, adorable, wonderful son forgot he had a major art project due and needed clay. Sigh.

Purchased-
6 Boxes Hamburger Helper (well, it was Whole Grain Chicken helper, but whateves)
Lays Stax
4lbs frozen fruit
Provolone cheese
Conditioner
Bakery buns
24pk Diet Pepsi

Total: $28.39

I have some other receipts (and pictures!) from last week...I hit up the Kroger Mega sale and did some other shopping too. Hopefully I can get it together enough to post the rest of my trips soon.

Total spent: $28.39
Total spent in 2011: $2156.99
Remaining annual balance: $3043.01
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $3043.01

No pictures again!

2011-05-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

My husband went and bought water on Wednesday. I seriously hate when he has days off.

Kroger- 4/27/11-$17.81

Here is the rest of the shopping I did this week. Kroger is having a Mega-Sale, which isn't fabulous, but it's something. I've got some coupons on order which means I'll be doing more shopping this week and I hope to get to CVS at some point to get some body wash:

4/30/11- Dollar Tree- $6.43
4/30/11- Wal-Mart- $53.53
5/1/11- Food City-$15.40
5/1/11- Kroger- $38.69

Total spent: $131.86
Total spent in 2011: $2128.60
Remaining annual balance: $3071.40
Rebate Money Received: $0
Remaining annual balance with rebates received: $3071.40