Friday Deals

Since Monday is going to be a busy day around here, I hit up my weekly deals early.  My first stop was Jewel...and this was a stellar trip!  Here is a pic of what I took home:

• 26 Fuze drinks B1G1 at $0.99.  Used 11 $1/2 Q's and 1 B4G2 from a Jewel mailer = $0.13 moneymaker
• 18 Idahoan Instant Potatoes (great for a quick meal) $0.49.  Used 6 $1/3 = $2.82
• 1 package Jewel Cream Cheese $0.99
• 1 McCormick Grill Mates seasoning $1.29.   Used $1/1 =$0.29
• 2 pounds Jewel Butter $1.99 each =$3.98
• 1 package Oreos $2.49 (no coupon, but on sale and my favorite...I splurged)
• 1 Jello Temptations $1.99.  Used a free coupon from a mailer = FREE

Total cost was $8.19...a steal.  I saved $41.47 in manufacturer q's and store promotions.  A total savings of  84%.  I also love these Fuze drinks, but refuse to pay for them because I know I can get them free if I am patient.

Next stop was clothes shopping for the boys with Aunt T.  I am pretty partial to the Children's Place (another one of my brand loyalties).  I like the style and quality of their clothes and if I use my coupons wisely, can usually pick the boys up some nice things for a reasonable amount of $$.  I also belong to their Place Perks Rewards program, which gives you money back on purchases and higher value store q's.  Here is what I picked up for the boys:

I was able to get the kids 4 pairs carpenter jean shorts; 4 pairs sweat shorts; 1 pair plaid shorts; 1 pair swim trunks; and 7 t-shirts.  A total of 17 items for $80.60 with tax.  That comes out to only $4.74 per item.  I used a total of $70.59 in coupons and another $20 on an AMEX gift card that Gary picked up for free by signing up for an email newsletter (FREE $$$).  My total savings was $90.59 (or 53%)...almost $100 dollars!

Last stop was Meijer....not my best shopping trip, but I am still ok with it...I guess they can't all be $8.19.  Here is what I stopped into Meijer for:

• 6 jars Peter Pan Peanut Butter (I am very loyal to Peter Pan) $10.  I used 6 .50/1 printables and 2 $1/3 Meijer store coupons = $5.00 or only $0.83 a jar
• Bananas $1.24 (for my sick little man at home)
• 2 Gatorade for $2.98 (also for my sick little man...no q's)
• 4 boxes Cheez-It crackers $10.  Used 4 $1/1 q's and one store Cat for $1/$3 purchase = $5 or only $1.25 per box.
• 4 Dan-o-nino Yogurts $1.89.  Used 4 $1/1 q's = $3.56
• 1 egg dying kit $1.99 (no q)
• 4 Philadelphia Cooking Cream Cheese $10.  Used 4 $1.50/1 and 4 .50/1 store q's =$2.00
• 2 dozen eggs = $1.76

My grand total was $24.51.  I really hate spending over $20 in any given shopping trip.  I don't know why, but I feel like I am overspending at a grocery store if I exceed that limit.  I know that may sound a little nutty to some, but what can I say...I am a little nutty:)  

I saved a total of $36.90 in q's and store promotions.  A total savings of 60%.  Not my best savings, but I am usually pretty happy any time it is over 50%...and considering I actually bought some things without q's, not too bad.

My total spending for the day was $113.30.  If I hadn't used any q's or store promotions (i.e. frequent buyer cards), I would have spent $282.26...that is over double.  

Now don't you have the urge to grab some scissors and start clipping??????