Why Do I Torture Myself?

I was able to venture out sans kiddos the other day, it is amazing how quickly I can hit three stores and make it home in two hours when I am alone....I forgot what that was like!

Here is what I picked up:

First stop, Meijer:

• 1-2 pack Gerber pacifiers $3.99.  Used q $1/1 =$2.99
• 2.5 lbs bananas $1.41
• 10-2 packs Gerber Baby Food $9.60.  Used 2 $1/4 and 1 .75/2 q's I got from the Catalina machine when I bought the Beech-Nut food a couple of weeks ago = $6.85.  Got back $1 OYNO Cat for an cost of $5.85 or .59 each.
• 1 lb. Land O Lakes American Deli Cheese $5.24.  USed $1/1 printable = $4.24
• 2 Family Packs Chicken Breasts $17.52
• 1 Head Iceberg Lettuce $0.69
• 2 Gallons Milk $5.00
• 1 Package Kaiser Rolls $2.50

My total was $41.25....onto the next stop

Dominicks:

• 4-12 packs Coca Cola B2G2 $12.58.  Used 2 free 12 pack q's I got from redeeming my coke rewards points = $2.60.  (Dom's cranks up the price of the 12 packs to $6.29 a piece and the q's have a max value of $4.99 each)
• 1 bag Snack Artist Cheese Puffs = FREE with the purchase of the 4-12 packs (in store promo)
• 5 boxes Kellogg's Eggos $10.00 with Dom's Deal Match.  Used $1/3 printable q = $9.00.  Got back a q for a free gallon of milk plus (after much debate at the service desk ) a in-store q for $5 of your next "New" frozen foods purchase.

Grand total was $12.71 with a total savings of 13.48.  I really, really despise going to the Dominick's any more.  Their prices are high, the stock is turned over slowly and it is ALWAYS hit or miss as to whether your Cat will actually print or not (for me it is more often NOT).  I swear they change the rules there daily and it is frustrating as all heck.  

Of course, my $5.00 Cat didn't print out as I thought it should or would for purchasing the Eggos (after all the ad does say get the coupon after purchasing $10 worth selected varieties of of frozen food items...but would they actually have the selected varieties marked or listed??  Nope.  So you have to guess and the best guess is to buy varieties that have been on the shelves for awhile...which I thought I had).  Do you see all the assumptions you have to make just to save money at Dom's?  And we all know what they say about assuming!!  And of course, guess who was the ass?

There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why or why not as others did the deal the same way with Eggos and it worked...except for the one factor of whether or not the chocolate chip or blueberry varieties were exclude and of course even though the promo says "selected varieties" in small print, do you think they would have a list or indicator of what varieties are part of the deal?!?!?!  No.  Why?  Because they are Dominick's.  

When I went to the service desk with my receipt and frustrations, they tried to tell me it was because I really only spent $9.00 because I used a coupon...which is a load of poo as others did the deal the same way and behold, the coupon printed for them.  And last I checked, Dom's factors the deal on the pre-coupon total unless otherwise stated...but that could change in the next 30 seconds.  The manager finally got tired of this preggers polite rant about Eggos and gave me the $5.00 coupon that of course expired in only 4 days.  And while he was nice enough, if the coupon had actually printed like we all think it should have, the expiration date would have been a bit further out.  And Dom's wonders why no one is shopping there anymore?!?!?!  Thanks a million...next time I will go to the Target and do the deal sans the free milk just to avoid your load of crap and frustration...ahhhh, I am done with my Dom's rant...until the next post where it continues just a smidge more.

Last stop was Walgreens:

• 2 Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash $6.00.  Used 2 .75/1 printables = $4.50.  Got back $2.00 in RR for an end cost of $2.50.
• 2-12 packs Arizona Tea Arnold Palmer's $9.98.  Used Wags in-ad q = $6.67.

Total was $12.12 with tax.  My total for the day was $66.08 and I saved a total of $24.04 and I got back a total of $8.00 in Cats plus a free gallon of milk.  If I hadn't had a giant headache from the Dom's, it would have been a totally successful day:)

A Few Wags Dealios

Wags hasn't had a ton of sales that have appealed to me lately, but I have picked up a couple odds and ends here and there.  Here are my last two trips:

Transaction #1:

• 8 packages Skittles candy $ 4.67.  Used 4 printables $1/2 = $0.67
• 3 packages Huggies Wipes $ 14.97.  Used 3 Wags q $2/1 ans 3 manufacturer q's .50/1 = $6.47

Total OOP was $9.04 ($1.57 was tax...blah)

Transaction #2

• 1 packages Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers $8.99.  Used $3/1 = $5.99.  Got back a $2.00 RR for my next trip.

Total was $6.73 OOP....I would have done this transaction first, but thought they were out of the size 5's...saw a package in an obscure place as I was going out the door.  I saved a total of $15.34 in q's during this Wags trip.

I made a pit stop for some canned soup a few days ago and used the RR I had from my diaper pick-up:

• 3 Cans Cream of Mushroom $4.17.  Used Wags q for .60/1 (limit 3) and printable q .40/3 = $1.97
• 3 Cans Cream of Chicken $4.17.  Used Wags q for .60/1 (limit 3) and printable q .40/3 = $1.97

I also used my $2 RR to take OOP total down to $2.02.  I know this one was a bit of a snoozer...but a deal is a deal...I have some Meijer toy steals coming up that are a bit more exciting than this...stay tuned.

Wags and Q's

Recently, I have been doing most of my shopping and deals at the Meijer.  I have picked up stuff at Jewel and Dom's (and of course Target) but they just haven't had the amount of goodies that Meijer has.

I ventured to Wags the other day to pick up some more cheap diapers and more tape (I told you....free tape is my kryptonite)  Here is what I picked up for a total of OOP of $15.93 and got back 2 $2 OYNO Cats:

Transaction #1:

• 1 Jumbo pack Huggies Slip-On Diapers $9.49.  Used $3/1 = $6.49 and got back a $2 OYNO Cat

Transaction #2

• 1 Jumbo pack Huggies Slip-On Diapers $9.49.  Used $3/1 = $6.49 and got back a $2 OYNO Cat
• 3 rolls Scotch Tape $2.97.  Used Wags q .60/1 (limit 3) and manufacturer q $1/3 = $0.18.
• 3 mini-notebooks $1.47.  Used Wags q .34/1 (limit 3) = $0.45
• 1-10 pack pencils $1.39.  Used Wags q $1/1 = $0.39
• 3 travel size listerine $7.27.  Used Wags q $1.50/1 (limit 3) and 3 manufacturer q's $1/1 = $0.03 MONEYMAKER

I really like the idea of these slip-on diapers since I am really starting to push potty training for my little one and this is a much cheaper alternative than Pull-Ups right now.  

I saved a total of $20.82 in clipped q's.  I did not roll my cat from the first trans to the second because Wags does not allow you to roll them.  If I used the one from the first transaction, I would not have gotten another one in my second transaction and would have lost out on $2.00.  

I know I haven't talked about any mail goodies for a while....but rest assured, they are still arriving daily.  Here are two recent arrivals from Vocalpoint.  I LOVE getting q's from them...they are always high value and a lot of the time include a q for a free product.  If you haven't signed up for Vocalpoint yet, you can do it here.  

In the past week I have gotten a q for a free bad of lettuce from Fresh Express and 3 $1/1 q's.  Today, I got a mailing for Bounce dryer bars (which I LOVE) with 1 $2.50/1 and 3 $1.50/1....I always look at my q's as cash....so, I got over $10.00 in the mail in the past week...love it!  Now go sign up for some free money!

Candy, Candy, Candy

I made a little pit-stop at Wags last Thursday the 28th for some candy...I cannot seem to pass up cheap M&M's.  The peanut ones are at the top of my all-time favorite candy list.  Here is what I picked up for only $2.63 OOP:

• 6 packages M&M's (4 Peanut and 2 Plain...I ate a package in the car for a little snack so there are only 5 in the pic...lol) $2.98.  Used 3 .75/2 = $0.73
• 9 packs Trident Vitality Gum $7.11.  Used 6 $2/3 = $1.11

The package of peanut M&M's that i noshed on in the car had a movie cash code in it and wouldn't you know, I was a winner AGAIN!  I got a coupon for $3.00 off my next movie ticket....so this little candy run ended up making me $0.37 so far...hopefully the others are winners too and we can all go catch a movie for cheap:)

**UPDATE**After typing this post, I got a hinkering for some peanut M&M's and won another $3.00 off coupon....this is definitely working out.  But if I keep eating the M&M's, I won't have any left for the theater..


Here is a little Iggy Pop for your listening pleasure:)

Prelude to a Holiday

First a little word of advice to my other couponers out there...you can take it or leave it, I am just sharing what I have found works for me.  I always, always, always print an internet coupon for a product I like or use when it is available.  Put them in your organizer and hang onto them until a sale presents itself.  Most are good for at least 30 days from the day they're printed.  Almost all internet coupons have a predetermined print limit and/or availability time frame and once they're reached you are S.O.L.  Some couponers will tell you not to waste your ink and only print what you need when you need it.  I have tried that method, but repeatedly kicked myself for not printing q's I thought I could use when a killer sale rolled around and I was left holding an empty organizer and craving a fix.  Like I said, take it or leave it...but I never like to leave a friend behind:)

Things have picked up a little this week with the impending holiday.  On Monday, I gathered up my coupons, my kiddos and some bribes to help the day go smoothly and set off for a 5 hour tour.  I spent a grand total OOP of $60.86.  I saved a total of 69.04 in coupons and I also got back $5.00 in Movie Cash for Cars 2 for a grand total of $74.04 in savings.  Here is what I took home:

Our first stop was Wags with an OOP of $7.91.

• 2 cans Chicken of the Sea tuna $1.10.  Used 2 .50/1 printables = $0.10
• 4 Scotch Tape Packaging Tape $6.00.  Used 4 $1/1 printables = $2.00
• 1 box Honey Maid grahams, 1 6-pack Hershey Chocolate bars and 1 package Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows $6.00.  The marshmallows were free with the purchase of the grahams and chocolate and I also had a $1/purchase of all three = $5.00

Next stop was Meijer.  I had to do 4 separate transactions to use all of my q's.  I spent a total of $43.56 OOP and picked up my $5.00 in movie cash.

Transaction #1:

• 1 can Cutter bug repellent $4.19.  Used mPerks q $1.50/1 and 1 printable $2/1 = $0.69
• 4 Glad Saran Wrap $ 11.16.  Used 2 store q's $1/2 and 2 $1/2 = $7.16.  I got back a $3.00 OYNO cat for a total OOP of $4.16 or $1.04/roll.
• 1 24ct Kraft Deli Deluxe Cheese slices $5.39.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and a printable $1/1 = $3.39.  This is not a stellar price, but we needed cheese so I had to make the best of what I had.
• 4 Juicy Juice 8-pack juice boxes $10.00.  Used store q $2/4 and 4 printables .55/1 = $5.80.  I got back $5.00 in movie cash for Cars 2.

Transaction #2:

• 1 can Cutter bug repellent $4.19.  Used mPerks q $1.50/1 and 1 printable $2/1 = $0.69
• 1 24ct Kraft Deli Deluxe Cheese slices $5.39.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and a printable $1/1 = $3.39
• 4 KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce $6.00.  Used 2 store q's $1/2 and 4 $1/1 q's = FREE
• 2 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing $5.00.  Used store q $1/2 and 2 $1/1 q's = $2.00.  Got back a $3.00 OYNO cat for buying the ranch and bbq sauce for a $1.00 MONEYMAKER

Transaction #3 (Used 1 of the $3.00 OYNO cats I got in a previous transaction):

• Bunch of bananas $1.69
• 1 kid's hooded beach towel $4.99 on clearance
• Bag of apricots $1.39
• 2 Heluva Good Sour Cream dips $1.98.  Used 2 .75/1 q's = $0.48
• 1 Kraft Homestyle Mac N' Cheese $1.67.  Used $1/1 q = $0.67
• 6 8-pk Lance Peant Butter Sandwich Crackers $8.64.  Used 3 $1/2 q's = $5.64
• 8 Yoplait Yogurt $4.00.  Used .60/8 printable = $3.40

Transaction #4 (Used 1 of the $3.00 OYNO cats I got in a previous transaction):

• 1 kid's hooded beach towel $4.99 on clearance

Next stop was Doms (after a brief pit stop at the free pony ride in Meijer and a quick lunch at Wendy's).  They had a decent deal going on the coke this week at B2G3...but since they jack up the price on the two you buy to $5.99 each it's only worth it if you have any of the free 12-pack q's from coke that you can get when you redeem your coke rewards points.  If you are a coke drinker and are still throwing away those Coke rewards points....STOP!  You are throwing away $$$.  Open an account and start banking the points for free 12 packs.

• 5 12-packs Coca-Cola $11.98.  Used 1 free 12-pack q ($4.99 max value) = $6.99
• 1 8-pack Coca-Cola slim cans $3.50.  Used B3G1 free q = FREE
• 1 bag Goldfish crackers $2.39.  Used J4U q for a free bag = FREE

Our final stop for the day was Woodman's to pick up some free coffee drinks and some sponges.

• 13 Seattle's Best Mocha Lattes $12.87.  Used 13 G1 free q's = FREE
• 1 package sponges $1.69

I didn't have time to hit the Jewel that day because I squeezed in a couple of other stops at the Target and Homegoods to pick up some random things for the bedroom remodel and a back pack for our little jaunt downtown the next day.  

On Tuesday, I headed down to the city with the boys, my nieces and my cousin for a trip to Ed Debevic's and Millennium Park.  It was a great day...almost perfect!  I am so grateful we took the time to make a fun day before they move away:(   Here are a few pics from our little jaunt.

Things weren't looking so good at first.

But after some lunch, we packed up and headed down Randolph to Millennium Park and the Bean.

Last stop was the Crown Fountain to cool off...they had a blast!

I had to hit the Jewel today for my last little deals (one of which was out of stock...can't win em' all I guess)  I did manage to pick up these:

Jewel was running one of their "Buy 10, Save $5.00 instantly" sales.  So I took home 20 bottles of Lipton tea for only $5.75.  They were $0.50/bottle after the $5.00 savings and I used 10 B1G1 q's I had printed off Facebook the week before making these only $0.25/bottle.  Always, always, always print the q's if it is something you would buy if the deal was right...or you may end up kicking yourself later.

Wags and Q's

Wags had a pretty good deal going on Little Swimmers, so it was time to stock up for the summer.  Here's what I took home for only $10.70:

Wags had them on sale for $6.99/package plus an in-store q for $2/1.  I used 3 of those and stacked them with 3 $2/1 manufacturer q's for a total savings of $12.00.  Now, if only the weather would start warming up so we can get to some swimming sooner rather than later.

When we got home, we checked the mail for our daily goodies.  I have to admit I get a bit excited to see what is awaiting me in the box everyday...what will my Postman bring?  Today he brought me a couple goodies:

• 1 Cottonelle q for a free container of Cottonelle wipes (up to $2.89)
• 1 free sample of Zantac plus two q's: $1/1 and $5/1 (as if I didn't already have enough Zantac...good thing it has a long shelf life)
• 1 free sample of Seattle's best coffe plus a q for $1/1
• 1 20% off your entire purchase at Hallmark (oh, how LOVE Hallmark:)

Thank you Mr. Postman...until we meet again tomorrow...

Thursday Stock-Up...A Mediocre Trip

I keep a list of things I am running low on or just plain need so I remember to keep an extra eye out for those things.  Sometimes I just need to break down and buy them even if they aren't at their lowest point (much to my chagrin).  I had to do this with a couple of items on this trip...C'est La Vie!

My first of four stops on Thursday was Wags. I was hoping to score some more free toothbrushes and money back...but there weren't very many to be had.  I broke even on this little purchase:

• 2 Reach Toothburshes $1.98.  Used $2/2 = $0.02 Moneymaker
• 3 Peanut Butter M&M's $1.17.  Used B2G1 = $0.78

Total with tax was $1.00.  I saved $2.39 in q's.  Got back $1 in RR...so I broke even.  Not a moneymaker, but I got some free toothbrushes and M&M's.  

Next stop, Meijer.  I needed a lot at Meijer, especially produce.  Lately, I have found Meijer to be rocking the best sales and I just love that I can get a preview of what is coming up from Meijer Madness.  I had to do two transactions to utilize all of my q's.  Here is what I picked up:

Transaction #1:

• 1 Kid's Aquafresh Toothpaste $1.78.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and Manufacturer q $1/1 = FREE
• 3 Oscar Mayer Lunchables w/ Fruit $ 7.44.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and 3 manufacturer q's $1/1 = $3.44.  Got a Custom q back for $2 OYNO for a total cost of only $1.44 for 3.
• 4 Kraft Mac N' Cheese $2.76
• 1 dozen large eggs $0.99
• 4 Duncan Hines brownie mix $4.36.  Used 4 $.50/1 q's = $2.36
• 6 Kraft Natural Cheese Slices $12.00.  Used 6 $1/1 q's = $6.00
• 3 Ziploc Quart Freezer bags $6.00.  Used 1 $1/2 and 1 B2G1 = $2.00
• 2 Planter's Nut-trition Bars $4.00.  Used mPerks q $1/2 and 2 manufacturer q's $.75/1 = $1.50
• 3 jars Vlasic Pickle Spears $5.00.  Used 1 Meijer store q $1/3 and 3 $.55/1 manufacturer q's = $2.35
• 2 packages ground beef $6.56

Total OOP was $28.72 with tax.  I saved a total of 23.43 in q's.

Transaction #2:

• 1 Kid's Aquafresh Toothpaste $1.78.  Used Meijer Store q $1/1 and Manufacturer q $1/1 = FREE
• 1 Green Pepper $1.20
• 1 Red Pepper $2.00
• Parsley $.79
• 2 Heads Lettuce $1.38
• Asparagus $2.13
• 1lb. Strawberries $1.50
• 3lbs apples $2.99

I used the $2 OYNO I had received from the previous purchase and a Meijer q for $1.50/$12 produce purchase I had received during an earlier trip.  Total OOP was $8.56.  I spent a total of $37.28 at Meijer with a total coupon savings of $28.93.  Not a super thrilling trip and a little disappointment in my savings.  I always want to save at least 50% and I didn't quite make that on this trip.  But I was able to pick up a decent amount of produce and ground beef...with only $3.50 in q's to use towards those items.  I guess you win some, you lose some.  

Next stop was a quickie at Dom's for some uber-cheap spices:

• 6 McCormick Grill Mates Spices $6.52.  Used 6 $.75/1 q's = $2.02 

With tax I was at $2.13.  I didn't catch it at the time, but one of my spices rang up at $1.57 instead of $.99 as advertised.  So either this one variety wasn't included in the sale or it was another Dom's screw-up.  Either way..still super cheap and will be enough to get us through a BBQ-ing summer.

Last stop, Jewel:

• 8 Hormal Pork Chops $7.92.  Used 4 $1/1 printables = $3.92
• 10 Fage Greek Yogurt $12.50.  Used 2 $2/5 printables = $8.50
• 2 Skinny Cow single serve ice creams $2.50.  Used 2 $1/1 = $.50
• 1/2 lb DiLusso Hard Salami $3.84.  Used $2 off 1/2 lb DiLusso lunch meat printable q = $1.84
• 1/2 lb DiLusso Ham $3.63.  Used $2 printable = $1.63
• 1/2 lb DiLusso Turkey $4.72.  Used $2 printable = $2.72
• 1/2 lb DiLusso Roast Beef $5.54.  Used $2 printable = $3.54
• 1/2 lb DiLusso Roast Beef $4.88.  Used $2 printable = $2.88
• 1/2 lb DiLusso Ham $3.56.  Used $2 printable = $1.56
• 2 Loaves Jewel Slice Bread $2.98.  Used 2 store q's for free bread with purchase of 1 lb DiLusso lunch meat = FREE

Also used $7.00 in Wags RR and a $2/$25 off a store purchase.  My end total was $18.91.  I saved a total of $33.98 in q's at Jewel.

My total savings in q's for the day was $69.80 and I spent a total OOP of $59.32.  So overall, I saved a smidge over 50%...that is still winning in my book...but I always want to be closer to 70% savings.  

A Clean Teeth Moneymaker

I just love when I can go out and pick up some free products and MONEY to use at other stores...wouldn't life be great if you could use a small amount of money to buy a larger amount of money.  I suddenly hear Wimpy in my head, "I will gladly trade you a dollar for $10 in return."   A little dramatic and far-fetched?  Dramatic...yes.  Far-fetched...not today.

So I stopped at a couple of Wags to pick up some money for future shopping trips...it comes in the form of reach toothbrushes (if you can find them as other couponers are out there picking up some free money too).  Wags has a great little deal going right now that coincides with a Catalina deal = $$$$.

Here is what I picked up for a grand total of $3.90....$1.21 of which was tax...always gotta pay the man:(

 Wags Stop #1:

• 2 Schick Razors $9.99.   Wags has them on sale for B1G1 right now.  Used 2 $3/1 = $3.99 (Wags lets you use q's on free items...so does Jewel)
• 3 Reach Toothbrushes $1.35.  They were supposed to be  on sale for $.99...but I was pleasantly surprised to see them ring up for only $.45...AWESOME!  Used 1 $1/1 and $2/2 q's = $1.65 MONEYMAKER

Total for this trans was $3.19 and I got a $2 cat back for the Reach Toothbrushes (so I actually made $3.65 off my FREE toothbrushes)....for a total cost of only $1.19 for two razors and three toothbrushes...a steal.

Wags Stop #2

• 4 Reach Toothbrushes $3.96.  Used 2 $2/2 q's = $.04 MONEYMAKER
• 1 bag M&M's $.39 (needed to eat up the $.04 overage)

Total was $.71 and got back a $4 cat for the Reach toothbrushes.  

Thank you Reach for your marvelous Cats and free toothbrushes...I will have some uber-clean teeth and extra cash to spend at the Jewel tomorrow when I pick up some nice lunch meat complete with free bread:)

Friday Finds

I ventured out to Target for a birthday gift for my niece and picked up some nice little extras to put in my care package to the tornado victims as well as some overage to cut down the cost of my other goodies.  Here is what I picked up:

• 11 22-ct. Carefree Pantyliners $10.67.  Used 11 Target q's for $0.01 packages = $0.11
• 4 Revlon Nail Clippers $9.36.  Used 3 Target q's $2/1 and 2 manufacturer q's $5/2 = $6.64 MONYMAKER
• 1 Revlon Nail Buffer $2.99.  Used $2/1 = $0.99
• 1  package Revlon Nail files $1.47.  Used $2/1 = $0.53 MONEYMAKER
• 1 toddler swim shirt $8.00
• 1 small caddy $1.00
• 1 Polly Pockets gift set $13.28 (on clearance)
• 1 green bathroom caddy $2.99

Got another $0.10 off for using reusable bags.  Grand total was $21.58.  I saved $30.66 in coupons.  All of the pantyliners and nail clippers were added to my tornado victims care package.  The box is almost full and ready to be shipped.  Just gonna add a few more goodies for those in need.

I also made a quick stop at Walgreens to pick up some cheap Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.

• 1 2-ct Extra Power Magic Eraser $2.61.  Used .75/1 = $ 1.86
• 4 2-ct Original Magic Eraser $7.76.  Used 4 $1.50/1 = $1.76

Grand total with tax was $4.48 and I got back a $3.00 OYNO Catalina (Walgreens calls them Register Rewards or RR) for an end cost of only $1.48 or about $0.30 per box!

Not bad for a little Friday jaunt:)  Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy's out there...ENJOY!