Coupon and money saving secrets

2/25/12 Commissary coupon matchups!

2012-02-27T08:18:00.001-08:00

I saved $30.68 using coupons, which was a 30% savings. Paid: $75.64 (2 weeks worth of groceries)

Here's what I bought:

Sriracha hot sauce: $2.69
-Used .65 peelie
Paid: $2.04

Bear Naked Cookies: $2.39
-Used $2.00 printable coupons
Paid: .39! (I bought 2 boxes)

Kraft light Mayonaise: $2.99 (I bought 2 bottles)
-Used B1G1 commissary coupon
Paid: $2.99 for both or $1.50 each

Muir Glen 28oz organic diced tomatoes: $1.39 (I bought 4 cans)
-Used $1.10/2 printable
Paid: $1.68

Emeralds breakfast on the go: $2.00
-Used $1.00/1 coupon
Paid: $1.00

Filipio Barillo Olive Oil: $2. 63
-Used $1.00/1 printable
Paid $1.63

Marcel paper towels: On sale for $3.99
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $2.99 for 8 rolls

Comet bathroom cleaner: .84 (I bought 2)
-Used $0.50/2 commissary coupon
Paid: .59 each

Copper Cheese (blocks): $1.79 each, I bought 2
-Used $1.00/1lb of any cheese
Paid: $1.29 each

Country Crock sticks: $1.29
-Used $1.00/1 printable
Paid: .29 each!

Horizon Organic Milk: $3.49 each (I bought 2)
-Used Free Milk wyb 3 breakfast items printable coupon
Paid: $3.49 for 1 gallon of organic milk!

Polly O Kraft String Cheese: $2.69
-Used .50/1 commissary coupon
Paid: $2.19

Perdue Chicken breasts: $2.88
-Used $1.25/1 commissary coupon
Paid: $1.63

Perdue Chicken Breast: $2.44
-Used $1.25/1 commissary coupon
paid: $1.19

Perdue Chicken breast: $2.52
-Used $1.25/1
Paid: $1.27

Johnsonville Italian Sausage: $2.09
Johnsonville Jalapeno Cheddar Brats: $2.22
-Used $1.00/2
Paid: $1.59 and $1.72

Right Guard Deodorant: $1.99 (I bought 2)
-Used $3.00/2 printable
Paid: .50 each!

Naked Juice: $1.85 (I bought 2 bottles)
-Used $1.00/1 printable
Paid: .85

Hinode Rice: $1.19
-Used .55/1
Paid: .64

Without coupons I also bought:

Act popcorn: .95
Tuna: .65 each (I got 2)
Kettle chips: $1.99
Chocolate pudding 4 cups: .58
Martha White whole wheat blueberry muffin mix: .69
Simply Orange with Mango: $2.99 (it was supposed to be $2.29?)
1 dozen jumbo eggs: $1.09
Heavy whipping cream: .79
Frozen corn: .69
Hilshire Farm Lunch meat: $1.79
Low Sodium Bacon: $1.75
Tyson Chicken wings (Large pack): $3.51
Perdue Chicken leg quarters: $3.25
Lime (2): .39 each
Jalapeno pepper: .18
Cilantro: .79
1 lb carrots: .69
Yellow Onion: .18
Popsicles: $2.99
Hot Dogs: $1.00
2 packages of pork chops (about 6 thin chops per pack): $2.24 each

12/7 commissary coupon matchup and shopping trip!

2011-12-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

Total before coupons: $83.74
Coupon savings: $29.00
Total after coupons: $54.74

Here's what I bought:

Quaker Oatmeal express: .99 each
-Used $1.00/2 tearpad at commissary
Paid: .50 each

Kraft light Mayo: $2.69
-Used .50/1 tearpad at commissary
Paid: $2.19

Dole Fruit cups: On sale for $1.00
-Used .75/1 tearpad at commissary
Paid: .25 each (I bought 5, peach and apple cinnamon flavors)

Newman's own Organic Marinara sauce: $1.50
-Used .75/1 tearpad at commissary
Paid: .75 each (I bought 2 bottles)

Muir Glen Organic tomatoes (Large 28 oz can): $1.49 each can
-Used .75/1 printable coupon
Paid: .74 each (I bought 2)

Saltine crackers with sea salt: $1.59
-Used .75/1 tearpad at commissary
Paid: .84

Martha White cornbread mix: .39
-Used $1.00/2 commissary coupon
Paid: FREE + .22 OVERAGE!

Kikoman Panko seasoning: 1.10
-Used $3.00/1 printable
Paid: FREE + $1.90 OVERAGE!

Kikoman ponzu sauce: $1.38
-Used $3.00/1 printable
Paid: FREE + $1.62 OVERAGE!

Reynold's wrap wax paper: .79
-Used $1.00/1 printable
Paid: FREE + .21 OVERAGE!

Marcel toilet paper (12 rolls): On sale for $3.99!
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $2.99

Marcel paper towel (8 rolls): On sale for $3.99!
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $2.99

Yoplait greek yogurt: .30 each cup
-Used .30/1 printable
Paid: FREE! (I bought 2 cups)

Steamfresh mixed veggies: .79
-Used .50/1 printable
Paid: .29!

Butterball low sodium turkey bacon: $2.09
-Used .50/1 commissary coupon
Paid: $1.59

Theraflu daytime warming medication: $3.42
-Used $3.00/1
Paid: .42

Visine: $3.19
-Used $3.00/1 printable
Paid: .19

Hormel Always tender pork tenderloin: $4.25
-Used $2.00/1 commissary coupon
Paid $2.25

Crisco cooking spray: $1.50
-Used .50/1 commissary coupon
Paid: $1.00

Corn dogs: $2.49
-Used .35/1 commissary coupon
Paid: $2.14

Without coupons I also bought:

Cocoa pebbles family size cereal: On sale for $2.00
Whole Wheat Angel Hair Pasta: On sale for .91
Black Pepper: $2.09 (I was out)
2 packages of Ramen noodle soup: .16 and .20
Veggie Kraft Mac and Cheese: .99
Simply Orange and Mango juice: On sale for $2.29
1 gallon of 2% milk: $2.48
1 dozen jumbo eggs: $1.24
Chicken thighs (about 8): Paid $2.88
Chicken breast (about 3 large ones): Paid $3.86
Whole wheat Pita pockets: Paid $2.59
Beef Stew meat: Paid: $3.62
Ground beef (1 lb): Paid: $2.36
5 lb bag of potatoes: Paid: $1.79
1 lemon: Paid .50
3 onions: Paid .71
Parsley: They charged me for cilantro, I hate when they do that...I paid: .79 instead of .39
1 lb bag of carrots: Paid .69

CVS 12/5 shopping trip!

2011-12-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

Here's what I got:

All laundry detergent (32 loads): On sale for $3.99
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $2.99

(I bought 2 bottles)

American Greeting Cards: .99 each, get $3.00 ECB's wyb 3
-Used $2.00/3
-Used $1.00/1 from CVS coupon machine

Paid: FREE + earned $3.00 ECB's!

Revlon nail clippers: $2.87, buy 2 get $6.00 ECB's
-Used $1.00/1
-Used $1.00/1

Paid: 1.87 each, earned $6.87 ECB's

For the total order I paid: $9.72, BUT I earned $9.00 ECB's!

**I used $3.00 ECB's towards 2 gallons of milk that I bought the next day--they were on sale for $2.79 each, and I still have $6.00 ECB's to buy something else.**

Last week's not so great couponing trip to the commissary...(10/18/2011)

2011-10-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Total before coupons: $84.48

Coupon savings: $14.25

Total after coupons: $74.23

16% savings

This week we spent way more than normal, and got items that we typically don't get....that combined with only a few coupons, it wasn't a very good trip...

Here's what I bought:

Honey Nut Cheerios:

-Used $1.00/1 from the pampers package

Paid: $1.00

Planters energy peanut bars:

-Used .50/1

Paid: .75

Nestle Tollhouse peanutbutter/chocolate chip cookie dough:

-Used $1.00/1

Paid: $1.00

Kraft American Cheese (2%)

-Used FREE coupon that was mailed to me from the commissary

Paid: FREE

Smuckers Snack N Waffles:

-Used $1.00/1

Paid: $1.00

(I bought 2, cinnamon and blueberry)

Rudy's bread (this bread is sooo good!):

-Used $2.00/1 printable

Paid: .99

Nivea Lip care:

-Used $3.00/2

Paid: .15 each

Hormel ground pork:

-Used $1.00/1 printable

Paid: $1.61

Here's what I bought without coupons:

10lb bag of rice (we were completely out, which is not good in my house--but added more to my grocery bill than normal)

Corn bread mix

Dales steak marinade

4 steaks (hence the larger grocery bill)

Halloween cup cake mix

Halloween frosting (I let the girls decorate)

Dozen large eggs

Sour Cream

1 gallon milk

Butter

Simply Orange/Mango juice

Feta cheese

Yoplait Gogurt

Boneless chicken thighs

2 packages of pork chops

Skirt Steak

Frozen Brocoli florets

Frozen corn

Mixed vegetables

Popsicles

Low sodium bacon

Cucumber

Garlic

Organic bananas (reduced--.84 for about 6!)

Organic Avacados (reduced--$1.52 for about 7--made some guacamole!)

Cilantro (for guacamole)

Tomato

Mushrooms

October 12, 2011 Commissary coupon matchup--I'm back!

2011-10-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

Before coupons: $79.29
Coupon savings: $36.15
Total after coupons: $43.14

Here's what I bought with coupons:

Honey Nut Cheerios:
-Used $1.00/1 (from pampers package)
*Paid: $1.00

Great Grains cranberry almond crunch cereal:
-Used $1.00/1 printable
*Paid: $1.00

Better Oats oatmeal (I bought 2 apple cinnamon and 1 cinnamon roll):
-Used $1.00/3 printable
*Paid: .75 each box

Grands tortilla chips:
-Used $1.00/1
*Paid: $1.18

Hanover Kidney beans and Garbonzo beans:
-Used .50/2 tear pad
*Paid: .40 each can

Hunts Canned tomatoes (I bought the big can of crushed tomatoes--on sale for $1.00 and 2 smaller cans of diced tomatoes--.79 each).
-Used .45/3

Rotel (the mexican style with cilantro and lime was on sale for .59):
-Used .20/1 printable
*Paid: .39

Knors chicken broth:
-Used $2.00/1
*Paid: .29

Knors beef broth:
-Used $2.00/1
*Paid: .29

Lipton chicken noodle soup:
-Used .75/2
Paid: .61 each box

Emerald Breakfast on the go (breakfast blend):
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $1.19

Filipo Barillo Olive Oil:
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $1.63

Taco Bell Spicy Ranchero sauce:
-Used .50/1 tearpad
Paid: .79 (I just really wanted to try this)

Coffee Filters:
-Used $1.00/1
*Paid: FREE + .25 OVERAGE = .75 OVERAGE total!!!
(I bought 3 packs = 300 coffee filters)

Yobaby Organic yogurt (4 Pack)
-Used $1.00/1 printable
*Paid $1.00

Organic Valley whole Milk:
-Used $1.00/1 (it was mailed to me)
*Paid: $2.49

Activia Yogurt (4 pack):
-Used $1.00/1
*Paid: .97

Sara Lee Lunch meat:
-Used .75/1
*Paid: $1.54

Butterball Lower sodium turkey bacon:
-Used .50/1 sticker
*Paid: .87

Rudy's bread:
-Used $2.00/1 printable
*Paid: .99

Ground Turkey:
-Used .50/1 peelie
*Paid: $2.08

Pillsbury breakfast sandwiches (comes with 2 sausage/egg biscuits):
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $1.14

Nivea Lipcare:
-Used $3.00/2
*Paid: .15 each

Schick Quattro Razors for men (4 pk)
-Used $5.00/1 printable
Paid: FREE + $2.00 OVERAGE!!!

Schick Quattro Razors for men (4 pk)

-Used $5.00/1 printable

Paid: FREE + $2.00 OVERAGE!!!

Here's what I bought without coupons:

Doritos (I was fighting with my toddler about these--she won!)

Large can of tuna

2% American cheese (16 slices)

Popsicles

Chicken wings

Fresh Green Beans

Frozen Peas

Parsley

1 Ramen noodle soup (I love these-- even though they can't be good for you!)

8/15 Commissary coupon matchup

2011-09-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

Total Before coupons: $63.51
Coupon savings: $31.80

Total spent AFTER coupons: $31.61
52% savings!

This was kind of a rushed trip to the commissary so I didn't really get to prepare like I normally do...

Here's what I bought with coupons:

Pillsbury Brownie Mix:
-Used $1.00/2
Paid: .50 each box

Kraft Mac N Cheese:
-Used .50/2 coupon at commissary
Paid: .63 each box

Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees:
-Used $1.00/1 printable
Paid: .75

Trident Gum:
-Used $2.00/3
Paid: .05 each!

Bounce Dryer Bar:
-Used $2.50/1 coupon from vocal point
Paid: .49!

Simply Lemonade (single serving):
-Used $1.00/1 printable
Paid: FREE + .01 Overage

Kraft Big Slice Cheese:
-Used .55/1 printable
Paid: $1.34

Popsicle (airhead chewy flavor--it's a favorite in the house):
-Used .30/1 tear pad at commissary
Paid: $2.19

Green Giant Steam-able Vegetables (I bought Corn and Mixed Veggies):
-Used $1.00/2
Paid: .50 each bag

Perdue Chicken Legs:
-Used $1.00/1 peelie
Paid: .31!!

Perdue Chicken Legs:
-Used $1.00/1 peelie
Paid: .34!!

Bengay Ultra Strength:
-Used $5.00/1
Paid: FREE + .82 OVERAGE!

Bengay Ultra Strength:

-Used $5.00/1

Paid: FREE + .82 OVERAGE!

KY Jelly (Please someone tell me other uses for this b/c I keep getting these b/c of the overage and no idea what to do with them!!):

-Used $3.00/1 printable

Paid: FREE + $1.13 OVERAGE

KY Jelly:

-Used $3.00/1 printable

Paid: FREE + $1.13 OVERAGE

Kandoo Flushable wipes:

-Used $1.00/1 coupon that was mailed to me

Paid: .49

Fresh Express Salad kit: (I got the light caesar salad bag)

-Used $1.00/1 coupon from vocal point

Paid: $1.22

Skittles (14 oz bag):

-Used $1.00/1 printable

Paid .99

Here's what I bought without coupons:

Spanish Rice

2 cans of stewed tomatoes

2 ramen noodles

Nutter butter cookies (On sale for $1.00)

Potato chips

Cranberry sierra mist (we were curious)

Simply Orange with Mango

2 Yoplait yogurts

1 gallon of milk

Parsley

Cilantro (although I just noticed I got charged for 2 cilantros instead of the parsley--which is about .50 more expensive--oh well...)

Bananas (On clearance for .29/lb...paid .90!)

Walmart, CVS, Walgreens 8/13/2011 shopping trip

2011-09-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Walmart:

4 Cascade (trial size):
-Used $1.00/1 from 8/28 P&G
FREE after coupons!!

1 lb organic carrots (I bought 2 bags):
-Used $1.00/1 printable (I took a quiz and was able to print off these coupons)
FREE after coupons!!

I LOVE when there are organic coupons and I love when there are produce coupons!!

CVS:
Dial dish washing soap with Olay (On sale for .99 at CVS and Walgreens this week):
-Used .75/1 from 8/28 P&G
Paid: .24 each (I bought 4 bottles)

Basically I paid about $1.50 (after taxes) for 2 lbs of organic carrots, 4 cascade packs (12 tablets total), and 4 bottles of Dawn dish washing soap. I like that I got a good deal on items that I can use regularly.

I also went to Walgreens yesterday to pick up a pack of diapers because I am pretty much out (no more stock pile).

I bought:

Huggies slip on diapers
-Used $3.00/1 from 9/11 SS
-Used $3.00 RR
(I bought a bag of coconut M&M's as a filler--they were on sale for .50)
Paid: $4.00, got back $2.00 RR.

I would have bought another pack but they only had one size 4 left.

On that note, however, I did redeem mine and my husband's swagbucks (a total of $20!). I got amazon gift cards and used them to buy diapers. I ordered 204 luvs diapers and paid $6.59 out of pocket--regular price was $37.99! I love swagbucks!

9/7 Target and Walmart shopping trip

2011-09-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

Walmart:

Spic n Span all purpose cleaner
-Used $1.00/2 printable
Paid: .47 each bottle (I bought 2)

Target:
26 oz. pasta sauce (target brand)
Whole wheat spaghetti noodles
-Used $1.00/wyb both the sauce and the noodles
Paid: .50 each

I also bought an additional pasta sauce--they are on sale for $1.00 right now. I'm making spaghetti for dinner, which means that this meal costs a total of $2.00 total because I got the ground beef for free a while back using overage from another coupon. Not bad for a complete dinner for 4 people!

Once upon a child and 9/6 Target shopping trip

2011-09-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

So, I dropped off a small basket of old clothes to sell at once upon a child and they accepted about half the stuff (It was mostly stuff the baby has outgrown...I kept a lot of Leila's smaller clothes so Lilliana can wear it next year). Anyways, they offered $39.00 store credit or $32.00 cash. I took the cash since I saw nothing in there that I was interested in, and I was really in need for some new school (dress) shoes for Leila. But, I was happy that I got to get rid of some old clothes and I made some cash for some new shoes!

After once upon a child I went to Target, and here's what I bought today:

Girls circo dress shoes:
I bought 2 pair (black and pink)
They were marked at $9.99, but rung up only $8.00!!

Simply juice (single serve):
I bought 2 orange and 1 lemonade
-Used $1.00/1 printables

They rung up .74, so they ended up being free!

Overall, a good shopping day since I got what I needed and spent no money!

8/30 commissary coupon match up/shopping trip! (40% savings)

2011-09-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Total before coupons: $64.12
Coupon savings: $25.02

Total spent after coupons: $39.10
40% savings!

Here's what I bought with coupons:

Strawberry cream cheese (4 pack singles)

-Used .50/1 coupong

Paid: .33!

Skinny Cow 6 pack snack box:
-Used $1.00/1 (lady at commissary was handing them out)
Paid: .99

Dole fruit bites (I got the mango/yogurt flavor):
-Used $1.00/1
Paid: $1.00

Dole 100% fruit cups:
-Used .50/2
Paid: $1.44 each

Chips ahoy cookies:
-Used $1.00/1 (coupon found at the commissary)
Paid $1.00 (they were the summer edition chocolate chip cookies, so they were on sale)

Ortega whole grain shells:

-Used $1.00/1

Paid: .19 each (I bought 2 boxes)

Zip lock sandwich and freezer bags:
-Used $2.00/2
Paid: .29 each

Scrubbing sponges:
-Used .75/2
Paid .39 each

Tropicana pure premium orange juice:
-Used $1.00/1
Paid $1.99

Hot pocket snackers:
-Used $1.00/1
Paid .99

Oscar Meyer lunch meat:
-Used $1.00/1
Paid $1.00

Perdue chicken legs:

-Used $1.00/1 (peelie on chicken)

Paid .18!!!

Perdue chicken legs:

-Used $1.00/1

Paid .22!!!!

Perdue chicken legs:

-Used $1.00/1

Paid .16!!!

Pantene shampoo

-Used FREE coupon that was mailed to me

Paid: FREE!!

Oral B battery toothbrushes

-Used $3.00/1 from August P&G

Paid: FREE!! (I bought 2)

Fresh express salad kit (light Caesar):
-Used $1.00/1 (vocal point mailed the coupons)
Paid: $1.22

Without coupons I also bought:

Heavy whipping cream (2 cartons)
1/2 gallon of 2% milk
Dozen eggs
Low sodium bacon
Loaf of bread
Kale
Bananas
Onions
Zucchini
1 lb carrots
Roma tomatoes
5 lb potatoes

8/25 Walmart shopping trip

2011-08-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

4 Tide (travel size detergents) (.97)
-Used $1.00/1 (from August P&G)
FREE!!!

4 Cascade dishwashing detergent (3 pk) (.97)
-Used $1.00/1 (from August P&G)
FREE!!

Aquafresh Extreme clean toothpaste (travel size) (.97)
-Used $1.00/1 printable
FREE!!

FREEBIES in my mailbox the last few weeks!!

2011-08-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

So, when we got home from our vacation (Florida and Cuba!!), we had a big box of mail that came to our house the next day. There were so many freebies, it was like Christmas!! (A few of these we got sprinkled through our mailbox this week also).

Here's what we got:

4 Huggies diapers
2 Costco diapers
Box of Oatmeal Squares cereal
Box of Tampons (5 ct)
Coupon for a free fresh express salad (plus more coupons)
Kashi granola bar
Coupon for (another) free bottle of Pantene shampoo or conditioner
Mots for Tots apple juice (one juice box)
Glass cleaner with towels
Sample of Dove shampoo and conditioner
Sample of Arm and hammer toothpaste

I used the Fresh express salad coupon, I bought the bag that had spinach, dried strawberries, almonds, and a strawberry vinaigrette...I figured we should try something new since it was free anyways! Last night we grilled steaks, had baked potatoes, and this salad...and it was delicious!!

8/23 Commissary coupon matchup!

2011-08-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

I've been out of town for the last couple weeks, so I've been all out of the coupon world!!

Here's how I did when I got home (not that great):

Before coupons: $58.55
Total number of coupons: $14.15
Total price after coupons: $34.40

30% savings

Here's what I bought:

Skippy natural peanut butter:
Cost: $1.69
-Used .75/1 coupon
Paid: .94!

Chicken thighs:
Cost: 1.48/per pack...(I bought 5 packs)
-Used $1.00/1 peelie
Paid: .48/per pack of perdue chicken thighs!!

Perdue leg quarters:
Cost: $3.73
-Used $1.00/1 peelie
Paid $2.73

Sara Lee Lunch meat
Cost: $2.59
-Used .75/1
Paid: $1.84

Fresh Express Salad Kit:
Cost: $2.65
-Used: FREE coupon that was mailed
Paid: $0!

Aussie Shampoo:
Cost: $2.50
-Used: FREE coupon that was mailed
Paid: $0!

Tropicana OJ:
Cost: $2.99
-Used: $1.00/1 coupon
Paid: $1.99

Without coupons I bought:

Salt
Diced tomatoes
Stewed tomatoes
Frozen peas
Frozen brocoli
Frozen corn
popsicles
frozen shrimp
turkey bacon
hamburger buns
3 green bell peppers
1lb carrots
1 lemon
garlic
5 lb potatoes
Ramen Noodle soup

I bought most of my fruits at Aldi the day before:

Mango: .49/each
Grapes: $1.58/lb
Plums: .39 each ( I think)
Bananas: .44/lb
Blueberries: $2.50

I bought my milk from CVS:

2 gallons:
Cost: $3.19/each
Got back $2.00 ECB's for both gallons!!

More FREEBIES!

2011-08-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

This has been a good week for freebies in my mailbox. In addition to what I posted the other day, I also got: a box of honey nut cheerios, a coupon for a free nestle drumstick ice cream, and another sample of the downy un-stopables (in wash, scent booster)...I love that stuff!!

FREEBIES this week!

2011-08-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

This week there was a couple of cool things in my mailbox: Free coffee samples and a coupon for a free Aussie product! Last week I got that free Pantene coupon, so I got some conditioner...maybe this week I'll pick up some shampoo. =)

Walgreens and CVS 7/31 coupon matchup!

2011-08-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

Walgreens:

Transaction 1:

Kellogs cereal on sale 4/$10, buy 4 get a $5.00 RR!!
-Used $2.25/3
-Used $.70/1 peelie
-Used $2.49 had on a Walgreens gift card

Paid: $4.56, got back $5 Register Rewards!!!

Transaction 2:

Crayola Washable Markers: on sale $2.00, get back $2.00 RR

Cottonelle Toilet Paper (Bought 2, 12 Packs) $5.00 each, get back $3.50 wyb 2!
-Used .75 from 7/17 SS
-Used .75/1 from 7/17 SS
-Used $1.00/1 from August coupon book (takes off $2.00)
-Used $5.00 RR from previous transaction

Paid: $3.50, got back $5.50 in RR's!

Transaction 3:

Pampers (On sale 2/$20, buy 2 get $3.00 RR)
-Used $2.00 from P&G
-Used $2.00 from P&G
-Used $2.00 from walgreens infant care book (takes off $4.00!!)
-Used $5.50 RR from previous transaction
(had to buy a few fillers b/c of all the coupons, got some highlighters and erasers)

*did this deal twice!*

Paid: $6.50, got back $3.00RR's

Transaction 4:

Kellogs cereal on sale 4/$10, buy 4 get a $5.00 RR!!

-Used $2.25/3

-Used $.70/1 peelie

-Used $3.00 RR from previous transaction

*So, we spent a little more out of pocket than normal (about $35.00 after tax), but I got 4 packs of pampers, 8 boxes of cereal, markers, 2 packs of toilet paper (12 rolls each), and a few other random school supplies and candy.

CVS:

Revlon lip stick/gloss on sale $5.79 each, get $3.00 RR (I bought 2)

-Used $1.00/1

-Used $3.00/$10.00 purchase from CVS coupon machine

Milk, $3.19, get $1.00 ECB back. (I bought 2 gallons)

-Used .75/1 printable

Paid $12.00, got back $8.00 ECB's

eBay!!

2011-07-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my sister, I started to eBay again!! I pulled out a few of my daughter's outfits that are HOT sellers this fall and put them up for auction. I also pulled out both of our old/broken iPhones and put them up for auction. One has already sold, as well as a few of the outfits!! YAY!! Who knew we had a couple hundred dollars just sitting in our closets!? Anyways, I definitely have the eBay bug and I have been putting up a few items everyday. I have also started putting together a pile of the kids old clothes to drop off to once upon a child (stuff I know won't sell on ebay). So, hopefully we can make a few dollars while also cleaning out our closets!!

M&M's at Walgreens and coupons in the base paper!!

2011-07-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

M&M's are on sale at Walgreens for .49/bag. I used .75/2 coupon from 7/17 SS and I was able to pick up 8 bags for .10/each. I LOVE M&M's...but, I am also thinking about starting to potty train my baby and may pull these out in desperate times! =)

*So, I'm not sure if this is everywhere...but our base paper comes out every Thursday and they usually have red plums in them...but this week, there were 2 red plums and 1 P&G!!! I was excited about this because the paper is free, so it's a great way to score a couple of FREE inserts with lots of coupons!!! *

Target and Pier One!

2011-07-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

Target had chips ahoy cookies on mark down for $1.99
-Used $1.00/2 target printable
-Used $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon

Paid .99 each! (I'm trying to stock up on snacks for our upcoming vacation/road trip!)

Pier One had a coupon $10 off any $10 purchase...good deal right??!!
I printed it out and bought a candle that normally costs $15, was price cut to $11, and only paid $1!

Spending as of 7/25...

2011-07-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

So, the last time I posted, my spending had actually been in the negatives (-4.51), BUT the weekend came...and we didn't do so great...=P

Friday: Spent about $9 at McDonalds (we had to drive out to the apple store b/c my iPhone face got cracked, so we just grabbed dinner--got the bogo big macs and the bogo mango/pineapple smoothies (YUM) and the kids shared a chicken nugget meal that they DIDN't even eat!...good news is they replaced my iPhone for FREE!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!

Saturday: My husband had some express "cash" he wanted to use, so he got both of us a pair of jeans and he got a few shirts...spent about $130 after the "cash"...which is actually good for that store b/c there jeans are normally around $80 each...but, I LOVE their jeans, so I think it's worth it.

Sunday: We had to go back to the mall b/c my gymbucks were expiring (anyone that knows me, knows I am a huge gymboree fan!!!!)...so, with school starting soon I bought Leila 2 outfits, a pair of jeans, hair bows, tights, and I got Lilliana a pair of jeans too (but I think I may have to return them...the 18-24 months were wayyy too big and long)...so, we spent about $100.00 in there...yikes, I know!!!

-We also went back into express b/c the jeans I got the day before were too long, which is weird b/c all of my other jeans are 2R...so, I had to buy 2Short!!...short??? I always thought of myself as average height/tall (I'm about 5'6")...anyways, I guess I'm a short now??? lol oh well....but, while we were there I picked up a long sleeve shirt and my husband picked up a sweater (that normally costs $70!) and we spent $10 for both.

-We picked up Leila a pair of crocks that she will wear for school and that we got b/c she was jealous of her sister's "changing color crocks" --$40

-THEN, we also went to Borders b/c they're closing and we wanted to see what types of deals they had....most stuff is only 10%, some magazines and a few other stuff are 40%...but, still we bought $47 worth of stuff...I picked up 2 volumes of the bob books b/c they only had 1 left and she's knows most of the ones she has...plus they were 10%--which is not a lot off, but I didn't think they were going to last once the BIGGER sale comes....we also grabbed some other phonics books, magazines and other random things, I love that store!

Oh, and we also got some starbucks...I know, I know...too much spending....$8.00 there...

Monday: So, Babies R Us have diapers on sale for $5.00, the huggies pure and natural, seventh generation, huggies jeans...a few others....and combining that with coupons, it comes out to be $3.50 a pack!! BUT...of course they only had newborn sizes left today...so, I went to Walmart and price matched one package of the huggies jeans diapers, used my huggies coupon and paid $3.50 for a pack of huggies!! WOOHOO!

So, including the money I spent at CVS and Walgreens, the commissary, and Wal-mart my spending total (for everything!) for the month is already up to:

$352.99!!! We definitely over spent this weekend, but it really has been so long since any of us have gone shopping, I think we were just needing to get that out!! =)

7/24 CVS and Walgreens coupon matchup/shopping trip!

2011-07-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

Walgreens:

Transaction 1:

Crest pro health toothpaste: 2/$4.98, get back $3.00 RR
-Used .75/1 from 6/5 P&G
-Used .75/1 from 6/5 P&G

Paid $3.48 out of pocket, got back $3.00 RR
.24 each after coupons and RR!!

Transaction 2:

Wisk Laundry detergent (48 Load) (On sale: $6.99, and FREE snuggle wyb any wisk!)
Snuggle fabric softener sheets (80 ct)
-Used $2.00/1
-Used $3.00 RR from previous transaction

Paid $1.99 Out of pocket!

CVS:

Transaction 1:

Soft Soap (foaming hand soap--for washing hands) --I got 2 bottles
Soft soap body wash
-Used .35/1 from 7/24 SS
-Used .35/1 from 7/24 SS
-Used .75/1 from 7/24 SS
-Used $5 ECB (from last week!)

Paid $0 out of pocket, got back $3.00 ECBS!

Transaction 2:

Crest Pro Health toothpaste ($2.99, get back $2.00 ECB's)
-Used .75/1 from 6/5 P&G
-Used .75/1 from 6/5 P&G
-Used ECB's from last transaction and from last week

Paid $0 out of pocket (actually was about .13 or something after tax), got back $4.00 ECBS!

Transaction 3:

Papermate grip pens, 8 pack. ($1.99, get $1.99 ECB back)
-Used $2.00 of the ECB's from last transaction

Then I ended up doing a 4th transaction because I forgot to pick up milk!

Transaction 4:

2 gallons of milk ($3.19 each)
-Used $4.00 ECB's from previous transactions and from last week

Paid $2.38!

**Basically at CVS I got everything I just listed for a total of $2.50! **

I spent about $8.00 before tax on 4 tubes of crest pro health toothpaste, 2 bottles of hand soap, 1 bottle of body wash, 1 48 load of wisk laundry detergent, 80 ct of snuggle fabric softener, 8 pack of pens, and 2 gallons of milk! Really the Milk would have cost me almost that much alone, so I think we got a lot of good stuff for a little bit of money...but I think we're good on toothpaste for a while now!! =)

7/23 commissary coupon matchups and shopping trip!

2011-07-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Total before coupons: $53.34
Coupon savings: $47.00

Total out of pocket after coupons: $6.34!!!
92% savings!

Here's what we got:

40 packets of webber seasoning packets/marinade mix:

-Used $1.00/1

Paid: FREE + .51 OVERAGE per package ($20.40 total OVERAGE)!!!

Schick razor (travel size-2 pack):

-Used $1.00/1 from 7/17 SS

Paid: FREE + .35 OVERAGE!!!

Scotch Tape:

-Used $1.00/1 printable

Paid: FREE + .22 OVERAGE (bought 2 = .44 overage)!!!

Coleslaw Mix:
-Used .75/1 coupon

Paid: .75 from 6/26 SS

Fruit Snacks (Betty Crocker):
-Used $4.00/4 tearpad military coupon at the commissary

Paid $1.00 each box

Bunny Wheat Bread:
-Used .25/1 from 6/26 SS

Paid: $1.54

Without coupons we bought:

2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans tomato sauce
Gold fish whole grain crackers
Sour Cream
Popsicles
Hot dog buns
2 lunchables
Jalapeno Johnsonville sausages
Hot dogs
Bananas
Fresh green beans
Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls

I sent my husband on this shopping trip, I thought he did good and got a lot of food for $6.34!!

Aldi, Walmart, and CVS 7/21 shopping trip and spending!

2011-07-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Aldi:

1 lb of cherry's (on sale $1.66 lb!)
2 plums (.35 each)
3 nectarines (.35 each)
3 peaches (.35 each)
2 apples (.45 each)
blueberries (2.50)
$1.00 worth of bananas (at .44/lb)

Spent about $8.00

Walmart:
Spent about $30.00 (I have a playgroup at the house tomorrow, so I needed snacks and juice)

With coupons I did buy:

Who nu cookies: 2 packages
-Used BOGO coupon making them $1.39 each

Franks hot sauce:
-Used .50 printable coupon making it .49

I also had to buy some little smokies, crescents, muffins, juice boxes, grapes, coffee, etc....

CVS:
I bought 2 gallons of milk (good deal right now!)

$3.19 each gallon, then get back $1.00 ECB making them $2.19 each gallon

Used $4.00 ECB's that I had from this past week, paid $2.49 out of pocket, and got back $2.00 ECB's!!
Now, that's a good deal on milk! Plus, if you buy 5 gallons before August 6, you will get one gallon of milk for FREE...I already bought 3, just 2 more to go...

So, today I spent about $44.50 including using my ECB's, but then got back 2.00 ECB's, making my total spending $42.50 for the day. I spent a lot today, but it's expensive entertaining!

July 19 spending totals:

2011-07-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

I went to two different stores and both stores paid me to take merchandise out of the store--that definitely qualifies as a good coupon day!!

As I mentioned yesterday, I got $5ECB's back after buying the zyrtec and I got paid .38 after my commissary trip. I did tip the bagger $2.00.

So...after what I made and ECB's, I have MADE $4.51 since I started keeping track of my spending!!

I am counting my ECB's because I have rolled these same ECB's over and over to where I have got a lot of merchandise off rolling ECB's and then received more ECB's on top of it or I just out right made money on them...plus, it really is the same thing as money...I can use these to buy things my family needs...laundry detergent, milk, diapers, wipes, etc...

106% savings at the commissary--got .38 back!!! 7/19 shopping trip!

2011-07-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

106% savings, actually got .38 back after all of this!

Here's what I bought:

20 scotch magic tapes:
-Used $1.00/1 printable coupon

FREE + .22 OVERAGE PER TAPE ($4.40 OVERAGE TOTAL)

2 Bengay:
-Used $5.00/1 printable coupon

FREE + .82 OVERAGE EACH ($1.64 OVERAGE TOTAL)

5 boxes ortega whole grain taco shells:
-Used $1.00/1 from 6/26 SS

.19 each after coupons!!!

Without coupons I bought:

1 can of rotel
8 pack of juicy juice (juice boxes)
2 boxes jiffy blueberry muffin mix