Savings Update for Month of September

My goal in savings is to average a 50% savings on all of the household purchases for our family.  This takes some diligent effort but when you think about it who wouldn't pass up a chance to get all of their groceries half off?  Follow me on this journey and see how you can save big one coupon at a time!

Total Savings since 9/1/11

Total before discounts and coupons $1465.21

Total after discounts and coupons $697.71

Total Savings = $767.50 or 52%

I tracked every purchase that was a household expense- clothing, food, toiletries, gifts and anything that was for household use.  And I will say that our pantry is fuller than it has been in months and we only ate out a few times in the month rather than a few times each week that we were doing before.  Our habits are certainly improving!

September = GOAL MET!!!!

Randall's - 9/30/11

BEWARE- the mix and match $.50 off each item is you buy 8 or more is not coming off automatically this week.  I had to go to customer service and get it taken off because they had overcharged me by $16.00!!!

Pepsi Max $.99 - used free with purchase of 2 cheetos coupon = FREE
2 Sierra Mist 2 L $.99 - used $1 off 2 printable  = $.49 each
2 Trix Cereal - used 2 $1 off printable coupons = $.89 each
Safeway Ice Cream Cones = $1.29
Safeway Cranberry Juice = $2.00
Safeway Mandarin Oranges = $.79
2 Cheetos $1.99 each - used $1 off 2 printable = $1.49 each
Idahoan Scalloped Potatoes $1.09 - used free coupon All You Oct Issue = FREE
Hormel Compleats Kids $1.49 each - used 3 $1 off coupons from coupons.com = $.49 each
2 Knorr Homestyle Stock $2.99 each - used 2 $2 off coupons from 9/11 RP = $.99 each
Mission Tortilla Chips = $1.49
5 SoBe Lifewater $.79 each - used $1 off 5 printable = $.59 each
2 Hefty One Zip Bags $1.49 each - used $1 off 2 coupon from 8/14 RP = $.99 each
5 Minute Rice Steamers $1.49 - used 5 $.50 off coupons from 9/11 SS = $.99 each
4 Pillbury Cheesecake Squares $2.49 - used 4 $1 off coupons from 9/11 GM = $1.49 each
3 Lucerne Shredded Cheese = $1.79 each
Safeway Whipped Topping = $.99
Safeway Sweet Potatoe Fries = $1.79
Pantry Essentials Milk = $3.19
Country Crock Spread = $1.79
Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice $2.99 - used $1 off printable = $1.99
Coffemate Peppermint Mocha $1.49 - used $1 off from handout = $..49 each
Dole Smoothie Shakers $2.50 on sale B1G1 - used $.75 off coupon from All You Oct Issue = $.88 each
Open Nature Ice Cream $4.99 - used 1 $4.99 coupon from Facebook = FREE
Organic Lettuce Mix = $2.49
2 Pom Lite $2.00 each - less $1 printable = $1.00 each

Total Out of Pocket $50.98 for $127.58 worth of products for a savings of 60%

Walmart Purchases - 9/30/11

Ocean Spray Cranberry Pomegranate Juice $3.28
4 Riceland x-long grain rice $.74 each - used 4 $.50 off coupons from 9/11 RP
Crave Cate Treats $1.47 each - used 3 FREE coupons from 9/18 RP
6 Perrier Mineral Water $1.28 each - used 2 $1 off 3 coupons from coupons.com
K-Y $2.84 - used $2 off coupons from All You Oct issue
2 NYC Nail Polish $1.72 each - used B1G1 coupon from All You Oct issue

Total Out of Pocket $12.93 for $26.64 worth of products for a savings of 51%

Rolls $1.74 on clearance from $2.68
Donuts $1.15 on clearance from $1.92
2 lbs 96% lean hamburger meat $3.14 each on clearance from $4.48 each
Zantac 24 count (plus 8 count free) $7.57 - used $5 printable
Brita Slim Pitcher $8.97 - used $4 coupon from All You Oct Issue
2 Morton's Season All $.96 each - used 2 $.55 coupons from 9/25 SS
4 Schick Disposable Razors 12 pack - used $6 off 2 coupons from coupons.com

Total Out of Pocket $13.41 - plus Brita Mail in Rebate of $10 = $3.41 for $43.19 worth of products for a savings of 92%

Sprouts - 9/30/11

I was able to get a few good deals on produce and some pork chops at sprouts.  The highlights of these items were some things they had on a 72 hour sale

5 lbs potatoes $1 each
Pineapple $1 each
Pepper Jack Cheese $2.99/lb

This sale is on until Sunday so you may want to swing by and get in on some of the deals!

Walgreen's Purchases - 9/30/11

Began with $5 in RRs

Carmex Lotion (monthly deal with a $4 RR with purchase) $7.99 - used $1.50 coupon from facebook
3 Wii Candy dispensers on clearance for $.50 each

Total Out of Pocket $3.11 - Received $4 RR for next visit

Began with $4 in RRs

Schick Quattro Refills $8.99 - Used $4 coupon from 9/25 SS
2 Arizona Tea $.50 each with in ad coupon

Total Out of Pocket $2.07 - Received a $5 RR for future use

Total for the day $5.18 for around $28 worth of products for a savings of 81%

Drug Store Shopping - 9/25/11

I had a little extra time Sunday afternoon so I stopped by a few drugstores to grab some of this week's deals.

CVS
I had a $10 ECB to start with so that made for a pretty inexpensive trip this week

Soft Soap Coconut Body Wash $3.00 - used $1 off coupon from today's paper
Soft Soap Coconut Body Wash $3.00 - used $1 off coupon from today's paper
Schick Quattro Razor $8.99 - used $5 off coupon from coupons.com
3 Pumpkin gumball machines - .99 each - yes, this is what happens when I take one of the kids with me :)

Total Out of Pocket $1.04!  Plus I received $8 in ECBs to use on my next visit


Walgreens #1
I didn't have any RRs from last week so I started this week off from scratch

Zarbees cough and sleep $5.99 - used $1 off coupon from coupons.com

Total Out of Pocket $4.99 - Received a $6 RR for my next visit


Walgreens #2
Began with a $6 RR from earlier

2 Bags of Popcorn Indiana $1.99 each - used $1 off coupon from today's paper on both
2 Bags Kettle Chips $1.99 each - used $1 off coupon from today's paper on both
Schick Quattro Refill Blades $8.99 - used $4 coupon from 9/25 SS
Arizona Tea - Used in-ad coupon $.50
Used $6 RR

Total Out of Pocket $3.53 - Received a $5 RR for my next visit


Walgreens #3
Began with $5 RR from earlier

3 Haribo Gummy Bears $.69 each with in-ad coupon - Used 3 $.30 off coupons from coupons.com
2 Theraflu $5.00 each - Used 2 $2.00 coupons from 9/25 SS
1 Arizona Tea $.50 with in-ad coupon

Total Out of Pocket $2.67 - Received $5 RR for my next visit**

 As I have read several places the theraflu didn't print out a RR so I went back and talked to a manager and was planning to just return them since it wasn't as good of a deal as I had planned.  He was so helpful and ended up giving me a $5 refund in place of the RR.

All of this together was $12.23 Out of Pocket for over $60 worth of products- that is a savings of 80%

What's for Dinner?

I am a step ahead today and already have dinner cooked and in the fridge- now before you get the idea that I have things all together let me assure you "This Never Happens!"  We have a ton of stuff going on tonight and I know that we are going to be running in a million directions so I decided to put something together so that we can eat as we are home tonight.  I decided to put together some of the stuff that I had gotten on clearance and with coupons this week and created a new pasta dish- I was pretty happy with how it turned out and it sure was easy too!

Boil 2 packages of Four Cheese Tortellini for 6-8 minutes
In separate skillet saute chopped mushrooms, green pepper, red pepper, artichoke hearts, and purple onion
Drain Pasta and stir in 1/2 of the Italian Herb Philadelphia Cooking Cream and sauteed mixture

Ready to eat!

Just in case...

....you needed a reason to take advantage of the sale at Walgreens this week on Bugles

Target Clearance Find!

I have to say that going to Target is one of my favorite things!  Yes, admittedly, I need a life!  But in the meantime I will continue to browse the aisles looking for some great clearance deals.

This week I found the Star Wars version of Guess Who on clearance for $8.98 (down from $17.99).  Now this is a decent markdown but when you pair it with the $4/1 game coupon from the 9/11SS it really became a bargain.  For $4.98 I was able to get a game that is sure to make a little Star Wars fanatic pretty happy when his birthday rolls around in a couple of weeks.

Randall's Savings - 9/13

Ok, I just couldn't stand that I had been overcharged for some of the clearance items that I bought at Randall's on Friday so I went back and took my receipt in and they very kindly and quickly resolved the matter and I got $3 cash back.  While I was there I took a quick peek at some of the clearance items and found several things I needed for a recipe I have wanted to try.  They also had some sale items in stock that were sold out on Friday.

4 Pillsbury Sweet Moments Dessert $1.99 each with in-ad coupon (ends today)
2 Lucky Charms cereal bars $1.49 each with in-ad coupon (ends today)
2 Golden Grahams cereal bars $1.49 each with in-ad coupon (ends today)
Clearance Items:
Frozen Artichoke Hearts $1.49
Grated Asiago Cheese $1.24
2 Three Cheese Ravioli $1.59 each

Coupons used:
4 $.50 off cereal bar printable (one of these doubled for some reason)
4 $1.00 off Sweet Moments (pillsbury.com)

Total before sales and coupons $42.10
Total after sales and coupons $13.23
Total Savings = 69%

CVS Magic Coupon Machine

Make sure that any time you are in CVS that you scan your card.  They have places throughout the store that you can use to price check items- just scan your card there and coupons will print out.  I usually scan it a couple of times as the coupons are random.

Last week it printed out a free Dove candy bar

This week it printed out a free 6 oz. Ritz Crackerful or 10.5 oz. Newton Thins
  -my store was out of both but the coupon doesn't expire until tomorrow so I plan on visiting a few tomorrow to see if I can find them somewhere!

CVS Savings - 9/11

When you sign up for your CVS card make sure that you log into the website and have all of your information on your account.  By doing this they will randomly email you coupons usually worth $4 or $5 off a purchase of $20 or $25 dollars.  Combined with sales, coupons, and ECBs you can really score some good deals quickly.

Today I had a $5 off a $25 or more purchase as well as $6.99 in ECBs from last weeks purchases.

Purchased 3 of the Charmin Toilet Paper on sale for $9.99 each
Used 2 $.25 coupons (P&G 8/28)
$5 off email coupon
$6.99 in ECBs from last week

Received a $10 ECB for next time!!

Total Before Coupons $32.44
Total After Coupons $18.92
Total Savings = 42%

Walgreen's Savings - 9/11

2 Bags Bugles $.99 each
2 Bags Chex Mix $.99 each
1 Arizona Tea $.50 sale price
6 small bags of skittles $.50 each after in ad coupon

Coupons Used:
2 $1.00 off skittles coupons (target.com printable but it is a manufacturer coupon)
   -I had three of these but only two came off- you really have to pay attention at the register
1 $1.00/2 Chex Mix coupon (printable pillsbury.com)
1 $1.00/2 Bugle (printable pillsbury.com)
1 $2.00 RR from last week

Total before coupons $18.36
Total after coupons $1.46
Total Savings = 92%

Not too shabby for some after school snacks!

Can It Be Done - My goal of Saving 50%

My goal in savings is to average a 50% savings on all of the household purchases for our family.  This takes some diligent effort but when you think about it who wouldn't pass up a chance to get all of their groceries half off?  Follow me on this journey and see how you can save big one coupon at a time!

Sept. 9th Shopping Trip
Total before discounts and coupons $401.82
Total after discounts and coupons $272.55
Total Savings = $129.27 or 32%


Total Savings since 9/1/11

Total before discounts and coupons $552.94

Total after discounts and coupons $326.18

Total Savings = $226.76 or 41%

Looks like I need to step it up a bit!  In the beginning you are buying the things on sale plus your staples, but as time goes by you will have a reserve of your staples and won't have to buy them at full price.  I believe this percentage will start going up soon.

Wal-Mart Savings #2 - 9/9/11

4 Simply Orange Juice $2.98 ($1 printable coupons.com)
3 Simply Lemonade Rasberry $2.28 ($1 printable coupons.com)
4 Toaster Scrambles $2.48 ($1/2 printable)
1 Seattles Best Iced Latte $4.68 ($2 coupon 8/28 SS)
4 Fall Mums $2.46 each
2 Pillsbury Biscuit Sand. $2.50 ($1 coupon pillsbury.com)
1 Digiorno Pizza $5.27 ($1 coupon 9/11 RP)
3 Coffee Mate Creams $1.73 ($1 coupon nestle handout)
4 Totino's Pizza Rolls $1.18 ($1/2 printable)
5 Nestle Flavored Milk $.98 ($1 coupon nestle handout)
2 Yoplait 32 oz. $2.48 ($1/2 printable)
2 Pillsbury Scramblers $2.50 ($1 printable pillsbury.com)
1 Choc. Chip/Peanut Butter Dough $2.68 (.75 coupon 9/11 RP)
2 Rolled Pie Crust $2.74 ($1/2 printable)
2 Neutralizing Air Freshener $.94 ($1 printable)
1 Equate Allergy Tabs $4.47
1 Zantac $7.57 ($5 printable)
1 Neutrogena Make-up Wipes $4.97 ($1 coupon 8/28 RP) Higher than I thought- I plan to return
1 Soaftsoap Kids $1.97 ($.75 printable)
1 Philadelphia Italian Cream $2.48 (.75 printable)
2 Jamba Smoothies $2.48 ($1 printable)
2 Cherry Turnovers $2.12
2 Disney Vitamins $4.50 ($1 coupon 8/28 RP)

Total Before Coupons $131.31
Total After Coupons $88.56
Total Savings = 33%

Wal-Mart Savings #1 - 9/9/11

2 Iron Kids Bread $1.98 (.55 coupon 8/28 RP)
1 Sara Lee Honey Wheat Bread $2.18 (.55 coupon 8/14 RP)
2 Nature's Harvest Sandwich Bun $2.68 (.75 coupon - facebook NLA)
2 Duncan Hines Glaze $1.98 ($1 printable) Thanks iheartthemart
1 Disposable Lunch Containers $2.97
2 Minute Maid 100% Juice- 10 ct $2.98 ($1 printable)
2 Haribo Candy $.97 (.30 printable coupons.com)
1 Wheat Thins Stix $2.50 ($1 printable facebook)
2 Pace Picante $1.98 and $1.72 (.75/2 coupon 8/28 SS)
8 Libby's Canned Vegetables $.75 ($1/4 coupon 8/28 RP)
2 Planters Peanut Butter $1.98 (.75 coupon 8/21 SS)
3 Zatarain's Rice $1.04 ($1/3 printable)
1 Riceland $.74 (.50 coupon 9/11 RP)
1 Blackberry preserves $2.08
1 Chicken Gravy $.84
1 Knor Chicken Stock $3.38 ($2 coupon 9/11 RP)
2 Hershey Syrup $1.98 ($1/2 coupon 8/28 SS)
2 French's Worcestershire $1.36 (.75 coupon 8/21 SS)
2 French's Honey Mustard Dippin Sauce (.75 coupon 8/21 SS)

Total Before Coupons $63.27
Total After Coupons $42.77
Savings = 34%

Target Savings - 9/9/11

2 Stouffer's Party Size Lasagna (Price Rollback to $10.15 each)
Used $1.50 off Target printable coupon
Used $1.00 off coupon (nestle handout)
Total = 7.65 each

2 Spiral Notebooks on clearance $.10/each

3 Coupon Files in $1.00 spot

2 Market Pantry Pasta $1.00 each
2 Market Pantry Sauce $1.00 each
Less 2 Target Printable coupons $1.00 off purchase of both pasta and sauce
Total $2.00 = $.50 each

2 Market Pantry Cream Cheese $1.72
Less $1/2 Target printable coupon
Total $2.44 = $1.22 each

4 Pillsbury French Loaf $1.89
Buy 3 Get 1 Free Sale
Used $1/2 coupon (pillsbury.com)
Total $4.67 = $1.17 each

4 Pillsbury Pizza Crust $1.89 

Buy 3 Get 1 Free Sale

Used $1/2 coupon (pillsbury.com)

Total $4.67 = $1.17 each

Total Before Coupons  $46.06

Total After Coupons  $31.30

Total Savings = 32%

Sprout's Overview - 9/9/11

I was able to get some good deals on produce this week at Sprouts and since we were out of everything I stocked up.  I didn't use any coupons there so I won't do a line by line overview but I will highlight some of the best deals below:

Pretzel Crisp $3.99
On Sale B1G1

Extra Lean Ground Beef $2.88/lb

Bartlett Pears $.88/lb

Cantaloupe 3/$1

Celery $.88/each

Grapes $.88/lb

Randall's Savings - 9/9/11

Some of these items weren't a super deal but they were items that I needed to stock up on so the sale price alone was at least some savings. Also, I had the kids with me so now that I am reviewing the receipt there were some errors that I would have caught had I have been by myself.  Nothing too serious so I will let it go this time- If I was really concerned I could go and talk to someone at the customer service desk.

4 boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars $2.99 each
Used in Ad coupon to make them $1.77 each
Used $.75/2 coupons (coupons.com)
4 boxes for 5.58 = $1.40/each


4 bags of Fritos/Cheetos $3.49 each
B1G1 Sale
4 bags for $6.98 = $1.75/each


Capri Sun Roaring Waters 40 count $7.99
On special for Friday Only Deal
$5.00

2 Bags of Mixed Steam Pack Vegetables $3.69 each
(marked on clearance for 50% off but didn't ring up that way)
Rang up for $2.99 each
2 bags of vegetables $5.98 = $2.99 each
(should have been $1.85 each if I had noticed the error)

1 carton 18 count eggs $2.59
Used in ad coupon
$1.99

8 Totino's Snack Size Pizza $2.38 each
On Sale for $.99 each if you buy 5 or more
Used $1.00/4 coupon (coupons.com)
8 pizzas for $5.92 = $.74 each

2 Safeway Frozen Vegetables $2.50 each
(thought the in-ad coupon would make these $.99/each but must not have been the right ones- had I have noticed I would have opted not to buy these at this price)
2 bags $5.00 = $2.50 each

Tyson Chicken Strips $9.99 each
On Sale $4.99 each
2 Bags $9.98 = $4.99 each

Hormel Naturals Lunch Meat $4.69
On Sale $1.99 each
2 Boxes $3.98 = $1.99 each

Johnson's Apple Chicken Sausage $4.99
On Sale $3.99 (I had a great $.75 off coupon that I forgot to give the cashier)
$3.99

Totino's Pizza Stuffers $6.29
On Sale $3.49
Used $1.00 coupon
$2.49

Total Before Sales and Coupons $108.56
Total After Sales and Coupons $57.30
Total Savings = 48%

Target Savings - 9/5/11

Target

Keep in Mind that you can stack one Target coupon and one Manufacturer coupon on the same item

Boys Swim Trunks on clearance 75% off 1.74

Boys Swim Trunks on clearance 75% off 1.74

Velveeta Cheesy Skillet $2.04

Simply Lemonade $2.29

Ponds Cleansing Cloths $4.39 (on sale from $4.89)

Kashi Crackers $2.79

Kashi Crackers $2.89

2 Market Pantry Ziti Pasta .99/each

2 Market Pantry 3 Cheese Pasta Sauce .99/each

Sorry Board Game $12

Market Pantry Pepperoni Pizza (free with game purchase)

Coupons used:

$1.00 Simply Lemonade (printed from coupons.com)
$4.00 Sorry (printed from coupons.com)

$.50 Velveeta Cheesy Skillet Target printable

$1.00 Velveeta Cheesy Skillet (8/21 SS)

$1.00/2 Kashi Snack Item Target printable

$1.00 of Kashi Cracker here (used 2)

$1.50 off ponds item Target printable

$1.00 off ponds item (handout I received at Wal-Mart several weeks ago)

$1.00 off Market Pantry pasta and sauce Target printable (used 2)

Spent $20.62 out of pocket

TOTAL SAVED 57%

Walgreens Savings - 9/5/11

Walgreens Savings

I had a $1.50 Register Reward from last week that I used on this transaction so keep that in mind if you try and duplicate this scenario.

The Walgreens that I stopped at today had a huge table of clearance items near the register and I found some good deals there.

2 boxes of Fruit Loops on clearance 75% off 1.07/each

9 boxes of Crystal Light Drink mix 75% off .99/each

2 boxes of Crystal Light Peach tea mix 75% off .99/each

DayQuil Liquid 75% off 1.49

2 packages (3 pack) of orbit gum - 2/$3 with in ad coupon

2 packages of Energizer Advanced Lithium (8 pack batteries) - 9.99/each

Suave Shampoo $3

Suave Conditioner $3 (earned a $2 RR for buying 2 Suave items)

Suave Dry Shampoo $3

Coupons Used:

$1.50 Register reward from last week

$2.00 Energizer Advanced Lithium (8/28 SS)

$2.00 Energizer Advanced Lithium (8/28 SS)

$5 Energizer Advanced Lithium Walgreens Coupon (Walgreens Sept. Coupon Booklet) 

    Took of $10 for 2

Free Suave Dry Shampoo with purchase of Shampoo or Conditioner ($3 off) (8/14 RP)

$1 off Orbit 3 pack (printed from Target website but it is a manufacturer coupon)

$1 off Orbit 3 pack (printed from Target website but it is a manufacturer coupon)

Total Spent 27.68 out of pocket and earned $2 in RR for future use

TOTAL SAVINGS 69%

CVS Savings - 9/5/11

CVS

I started out with $5 in Extra Care Bucks so keep that in mind if you try to duplicate this transaction.

Sprite 2L on sale .99

Coke Zero 2L on sale .99

Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar 1.19

Hershey Air Delight .99 (received .99 ECB for future use)

Carefree 20 ct Body Shape liners 1.00 (received 1.00 ECB for future use)

Dove Milk Chocolate Bar .79

Excedrin Migraine 100ct 9.49 (received 5.00 ECB for future use)

Coupons Used:

$5.00 ECBs earned last week

.79 coupon (scanned Extra Care card in store and received free Dove bar coupon)

1.50 off Excedrin (8/21 SS)

.50 Carefree coupon (8/21 SS)

.99 off for free Hershey Air Delight (8/28 SS)

I paid 5.33 out of pocket and received 6.99 in Extra Care Bucks

SAVED 65%!!!!