Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Regrets

So I jumped into this couponing thing full force and now I am seeing that I got in a little over my head. Between finding deals, cutting/printing coupons, checking blogs religiously, blogging myself, and then actually shopping for the deals I was consuming more than half the week. Meaning lots of time not focusing on my family. So I have decided to chill with it for now. I am still finding great deals, but probably won't be blogging about them. 

On a side note...always check the clearance shelves!! This week I got three Febreeze air fresheners free. They were only $3.49 after being marked down 50%. I had 3 $4 off coupons. So I actually made some money on this one. They also had Peter Pan peanut butter marked down to $1 and a 20lb bag of dog food for $10 as well as tylenol for $2. I was excited. Nathan, who was in the car (with the kids) waiting for me wasn't so excited when I came out with more than just milk!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Target and Meijer Coupons

This is the website to access Meijer coupons that you can stack with manufacturer's coupons.
http://meijermealbox.publishpath.com/?recipe=mb_b80

Once you are here you click on the 'specials' tab in the box on the right on the page.

This is the site for Target coupons.


I have used them before, but according to the website you can only use them at SuperTargets. So you possibly could run into difficulty using them.

Sunday's Adventures

Walgreens

Didn't get much... just windex that I have a mail in rebate for (making it free) and a BIC candle lighter for .99 after $1 coupon (from 5/17 insert) and $1 rebate

Kroger

Rubbermaid Easy View containers $1.50 on clearance 
$1/1 coupon 5/3 newspaper insert
Final  Cost .50

$20.56 of produce (2lb bananas, 2 packs of blueberries, 2 packs strawberries, 2lb grapes, 2lb cherries)
$3/$15 coupon from last trip to Kroger
Final Cost $17.56

Weber Grill Seasoning on sale 10/$10
.50/1 coupon from 5/17 doubled to $1
FREE

Kool Aid 8 qt mix on sale 4/$5
2-$1/2 coupons from kraft.com
Final Cost .75 each

Purdue Individually Wrapped Chicken on sale for $6.99
.75/1 coupon
Final Cost $6.49

Lean Pockets on sale for $2.50
.50/1 coupon from 5/17 insert doubled to $1
Final cost $1.50

Carefree Pantiliners on sale for $2.50
$1.50/1 coupon from carefree.com
Final Cost $1

Digiorno Pizzas 2@5.49
$1/1 coupon from coupons.com and $1.25/1 coupon
Final Cost $8.24/2

California Pizza Kitchen Pizzas 2@5.49
2-$1/1 coupons
Final Cost $4.49/1

Because I purchased 4 pizzas, I got $5 off my next checkout.

3- 12 pack Tennessee Pride Sausage Biscuits on sale $5.39
$2.50/3 from previous Kroger checkout
Final Cost $13.67


That is only 23% savings, but that translates into $21.63. Not to shabby. If you include Kroger Plus savings that is 35% savings! Plus now I can get .10/gallon off gas.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

5/13 Meijer

3- Tampax Tampons 40 ct. $2.89 clearance (the box was damaged so they were 50% off)
$1/1 coupon
Final Cost $1.89/box

Kraft Dressing 160z. $1.58
$1/1 manf. coupon
$1/1 Meijer coupon
FREE

2- Kraft Dressing 16oz. $1.58
2-$1.50/1 coupons from 5/3 paper
$1/2 Meijer coupon

Hot Pockets on sale $2.50/box
Buy 5 get the 6th one free
$1/5 coupon
$1.67/box

Aunt Millie's Bread $1.19
.35/coupon doubled
Final Cost .49

Aunt Millie's Hot Dog Buns $1.19
.35/coupon doubled
Final Cost .49

4- Kraft Chuck Cheese $1.99
2-$1/2 coupons
$1.49 each

Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip 2/$4
2-$1/1 coupons
2-$1/1 Meijer coupons
FREE!!

Ritz Crackers $5/2
2-$1/1 coupons
2-$1/1 Meijer coupons
Final Cost .50/ box

16- Kellogg's Cereal $1.80/box
16-$1/1 coupons
Final Cost- .80/box

Sure Deodarant on clearance .99
.75/ coupon
$2.99 mail in rebate
FREE!

2 Triscuit Crackers $5/2 + 3 Kraft chunk cheeses $3/3
with this you will get a print out for a free Crystal Light. Use this with the coupon at coupons.com for a free crystal light with purchase of another= 2 free crystal lights!!


Bananas are on sale .33/lb I think, but I forgot to pick them up!!!

5/13 Target

Here are a few deals I found...

Nabisco 100 calorie packs $2.04
$1/1 manufacturer's coupon
$1/1 Target coupon  
Final Cost .04!!!

Oscar  Mayer Deli Fresh Meat $3.04
$1/2 manf. coupon
$1/2 Target coupon
Final $2.08/1

Dannon Danactive $2
$1/1 manf. coupon
Final Cost $1

Activia $2
$1/1 manf. coupon
Final Cost $1

Kraft Sliced Cheese $2.39
$1/1 manf. coupon
Final Cost $1.39

Banana Boat Sunscreen (travel size) .99
$1/1 coupon 
FREE

St. Ives Lotion (travel size) .97
$1/1 coupon
FREE

Aquafresh Toothpaste (travel size) .97
Free sample coupon
FREE

Yay! I love Target!

Monday, May 11, 2009

5/11 Shopping Trip

Wal-mart

Ritz Snack Crackers $2
$1/1 coupon 
Final Cost- $1

No Yolk Noodles $1.68
.75/1 coupon
Final Cost- .93

3 Velveeta Shells and Cheese $1.50
$1/1 coupon
Final Cost- .50/ box
This is another donation item for us. I got so much at Target last week, but I couldn't pass up this deal!

3 Kraft BBQ sauce .98
$1/1 coupon
FREE- another donation item

3 Jello Mixes .50
$1/3 coupon
2 FREE, 1 for .50

Maxwell House Coffee $6
$1/2 coupon
Final Cost- $5.50 per canister (Not a great deal, but this was a need item!)


Walgreens

I picked up my free 8x10 from last week. I also had a $5 off Glucerna cereal which made this a freebie. We will be donating this as well. We don't have diabetes which is who the cereal is for. The cashier tried to tell me I couldn't use the coupon because I didn't spend $5. (The cereal was $4.99) 

Rite Aid

Olay 2-pack Bar Soap $2
$1/1 coupon
Final Cost- $1


Stay tuned for Meijer and Target deals!!! I want to note that I am not trying to toot my own horn by talking about donating things, but I want everyone to see what couponing could do for those less fortunate.


Saturday, May 9, 2009

5/9 Trip to Kroger

All of the Kellogg's cereal coupons were reset and I was able to print out a bunch more!!

Kroger had a special on Mini-Wheats, Frosted Flakes, and Raisin Bran $4.00/2.

This made each box $2. I used $1/1 coupons making each box $1.00.

3 boxes of Mini-Wheats + 3 boxes of Raisin Bran + 4 boxes of Frosted Flakes= 10 boxes of cereal for $10

If you have read all my posts this week you are probably thinking, "Man, that's a lot of cereal!" This is where couponing is awesome! We will be able to bless others through donating these great deals!

5/9 Trip to Kmart

47% Saving!!!!!! Today was the last day of double coupons at Kmart so I had to hit it up one last time! Here's the run down:

Luvs Diapers- 2 boxes at $19.99 each
$10 Kmart gift card
We are set on diapers for a while!

Dry Idea Roll-on Deodorant $3.79
$2/1 coupon doubled to $4
FREE- donating this freebie!

Neutrogena Bar Soap $2.39
$1/1 coupon doubled to $2
.39
I use this stuff and it is so expensive so this was awesome!!

Kraft BBQ sauce $1
.75/1 doubled to $1.50
FREE

Post Trail Mix Cereal $2.79
$2/1 coupon doubled to $4 (I didn't get the overage, see below)
3 boxes for FREE (yay! more donations for the food pantry)

Dove Deodorant $3.99
$2/1 coupon doubled to $4
FREE (my favorite deodorant, too)

Johnson and Johnson Gift Pack $3.79
$1/1 coupon doubled to $2
Final Cost- $1.79 (Thank you to whoever left their extra coupons on the shelves!)

Welch's Aqua Juice $3.79
BOGO

V8 Fusion Juice $3.99
$2/1 coupon doubled to $4
FREE

I had a $5/$50 coupon from one of the blogs I follow also and a .75 coupon from my last trip to Kmart.

Basically my final total was less than the 2 boxes of Luvs I bought today!

Also, I got a some of the same things that I got on my first trip. This is because I printed out as many coupons that a site would allow for the first trip and then during the week the coupons were reset so I could print out that many more. They were also out of some of the things I went for on Monday and today they were restocked.

FYI-don't let a manager check you out!! She made sure I didn't get any overage. The regular cashiers don't adjust the amounts. I could have made a little more profit had I had a different cashier!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

K-mart

Again, I had to mail in my receipt for a rebate so I will try to remember prices the best I can! Kmart was doubling coupons up to $2 this week!

2 boxes Huggies 88 count Diapers $19.99
$1.50/1 coupon doubled to $3
$16.99 final cost which for good diapers is amazing!

2- Aveeno baby lotion $5.49
$2/1 coupon doubled to $4
$2.98 final cost for 2

Clean & Clear Face Wash $3.09 (on clearance)
$2/1 doubled to $4
Money maker!!!

Pert Plus for Men $3.49
$1.50/1 doubled to $3
$3.99 mail in rebate
$3 money maker

Post Trail Mix Cereal $3.99
$2/1 coupon doubled to $4
FREE!!!

Kellogg's Cereal $3.99
$1/1 doubled to $2
$1.99 (Kroger had a better deal on some of these, but not all were included in their sale)

Kraft BBQ sauce $1
.75/1 coupon doubled to $1.50

Softsoap Spa Radiant Body Wash $3.99
$1.50/1 doubled to $3

Lysol Neutra Air $3.29
$1.50/1 doubled to $3

Hershey's 100 calorie Snack Bars $2.09
.75/1 doubled to $1.50

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $2.49
.75/2 doubled to $1.50

Scope mouthwash $3.49
$1/1 coupon doubled to $2

Colgate Toothpaste $2.49
$1/1 doubled to $2

That's it I think!! I had so much fun and my kids behaved for the hour we were in the store!

Kroger

I had to pick up some things we needed on this trip as well such as meat, but still managed to save 40%. 

Suave for Men $1.99 (on sale)
$1/1 coupon 
$2.99 mail in rebate
$2 profit!

Bounty Basic (I think that's what it's called) $1.15/roll
.50/1 (Kroger doubles coupons up to .50)
.15 a roll

California Pizza Kitchen Rising Crust Pizza $7.99
$2/1

Select Kellogg's Cereal $4/2
Use 4 $1/1 coupons
4 boxes for $4!!!

I think that was all of my deals. I had to mail in my receipt for the rebate so I can't look at it!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

My Favorite Blogs

Here are the blogs I like to frequent. They often list freebies (like free KFC this week).


http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ (Thanks,  Jennifer)

Target Savings

Last night I went to Target to see if there were any deals. Here is what I walked away with.

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese on sale for $3/2 (three dollars for 2 boxes)
This give you $1.50 off 2 boxes making each box only .75.

Easy Mac .77
Used buy one get one free coupon that I can't seem to find the link for now!
The coupon actually rang up $1.50 off so I made money on this one!

Target baby wash $1.15

2 Fragrance Collection Candles and get a FREE $5 Target gift card!
Buy 2 candles at $5.79 each=$11.58
I used 2 $4.00 off coupons from this past Sunday's (5/3) paper
and got back a $5 Target gift card

Purina Cat Food $5.99 (approx.)
Used $3.50 off coupon from here http://www.giveabowl.com/home.aspx?LI=1

I think that sums it up for Target. I tried Wal-Mart with my coupons this morning, no luck!!

Couponing- Mariah version

I have learned that couponing takes a great deal of time! To sort through the coupons online and in the paper, to read all the blogs, to find the sales, to go to various stores. It is a lot. If I didn't stay at home I think it would be too much. 
A lot of the blogs I follow are not around here so their deals don't always work for me. I also think a lot of them buy whatever they have a coupon for instead of what their family uses. Because of this they say they are saving 95% on their grocery bills, but if it isn't what you need I am not sure how that helps. I like to coupon to get the things I need. If that means I can only save 50% on a bill, that works for me! 
So I decided to start my own blog to share my deals and hopefully make it easier for moms in this area to find the deals and only limit them to the things we really use, not all the junk!
Follow me as I try to save us all a little money!