Meijer Dealios for the Weekend

Meijer has still been rocking the deals lately.  I love when I can just shop primarily at one store instead of traipsing down the main drag to three stores....but you gotta do what you gotta do to save the dollars (especially because I am spending them at a rapid rate as we redecorate our master bedroom where one new project seems to spawn three more...I will post some pics of all the awesome little goodies we have picked up soon)

So here is what I picked up on Friday, June 10th for a total OOP of $34.24:

• Softsoap Pampered Hands handsoap $2.59.  Used Cataline q for a a free bottle = FREE
• Bananas $1.06
• 2 1lb chubs Meijer Ground Turkey $2.00.  Got 1 free as part of the Buy 10 get the 11th free sale = $1.00
• 3 boxes Meijer large storaqge bags $3.00.  Got 1 free as part of the Buy 10 get the 11th free sale = $2.00
• Asparagus $2.31
• 6 Dannon Danimals Yogurt $11.34.  Used 6 $1/1 q's = $5.34 OOP.  Got back a $2 OYNO cat for any end cost of only $3.34.
• 2 packages Dixie Paper Plates $4.00.  Used a store q $1/2 and a manufacturer q $1/2 = $2.00
• 3 Meijer Chunk Cheese $6.00
• 1 seedless cucumber $1.00
• 2 bell peppers $2.00
• 6 boxes Green Giant Forzen Vegetables $6.00.  Used 6 .50/1 = $3.00
• 2 loaves Meijer Split Top Wheat Sandwich bread $2.00.  Used mPerks q .25/2
• 2 Old El Paso cans of Green Chiles and 1 box taco shells $3.00.  Used .60/3 = $2.40
• 4 Old Orchard Frozen Juice Concentrates $4.00.  Used mPerks q $1/4 and manufacturer q $1/4 = $2.00

I saved a total of $18.19 in q's and got back $2.00 OYNO for the yogurt.  I saved a little over 50%....I am always happy about that when I know I have thrown in a veggies and fruit I don't have q's for.

I also got to run into an old friend and her beautiful baby girl at Meijer.  It was great catching up with her and seeing her daughter again!

Jewel Shopping & My Un-Greek, Greek Children

The boys and I ventured to Jewel today to pick a few little goodies.  There has been nothing major to tickle my fancy at the Jewel lately, just some odds and ends.  Here is what we picked up today:

• 10 Fage Greek Yogurt $12.50.  Used 2 $2/5 q's = $8.50
• 2 Tribe Hummus B1G1 $3.99.  Used 2 $1/1 q's = $1.99
• 6 boxes cereal $11.28.  Used 3 $1.50/2 q's = $6.78
• 4 boxes Golden Grahams treat bars $7.96.  Used 4 $0.60/1 q's = $5.56
• 2 gallons milk $6.98.  Used B6G2 free gallons of milk when you purchase any 3 General Mills cereal q's I picked up at Dom's a few weeks ago = FREE

Total OOP was $23.06.  I saved $24.39 in q's.  

So we are shopping and we get to the hummus.  I ask Jax, "What flavor of hummus do you want?" and he tells me, "I don't like hummus".  Oh really?  I was unaware of this new development...he has only been eating it since he was old enough for table food...silly me.  Next, we make our way to the dairy aisle.  Jax asks me, "What do you have to get in this aisle?" and I say "Some more Greek yogurt" and he tells me, "I don't like that yogurt".  Oh really?  You seem to love it when I am eating it and you keep demanding more bites...I should have seen that coming I guess.

Last week he told me he didn't like the Spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese pies) that I had spent hours slaving over a few weekends before...another new development.  Meanwhile, Logan is chowing them like they are going out of style...and he never eats any thing that remotely contains anything healthy or once was...maybe wrapping it in phyllo dough and smearing it with butter helps.  Jax is the one I can always count on to eat down all his veggies...I don't know which way is up anymore.

So alas, I have come to the conclusion that my Greek children have a very un-Greek palate...maybe that is the Dutch peaking through:)

Curse you Paper Man....Curse You

I am still baffled at how my paper man manages to screw up my daily deliveries.  I must say, I never viewed paper delivery as a complex and challenging job.  After all, it's not like he has to ride by on is Schwinn and flick my papers from his bicycle basket...but I am learning that you have to contend with all sorts of challenges.  The most challenging obstacle still seems to be....get ready for it...The Beacon Wielding Thief (cue music "dun, dun, dun").

***Side Note*** Does anyone remember the show "Get A Life"?  It was on Fox back in the day.  I picture my paper man to be something very similar.  Here is the opening montage to spark your memory...

I have to admit, he did manage to beat the thief and get me my papers for two and a half weeks straight (maybe the thief was taking a little vacay perhaps?).  But last weekend....the thief returned.  On Saturday he left me a Chicago Tribune in place of my Sun-Times....an attempt to throw us off his trail?  Maybe.  When we called for a re-delivery (or second attempt at a proper delivery) we got yet another Tribune.  The thief must have been anticipating this move and waited patiently in the bushes.

This was not the last we were to hear of the thief this week.  On Sunday...he struck again.  Snatching my Sun-Time and leaving his trademark calling card...The Beacon (cue music again "dun, dun, dun).  The hubs called for a second attempt...but it wasn't meant to be and my Sun-Times never arrived...or did it?

The hubs called again on Monday....on Tuesday our Sun-Times arrived and looked like this...

In case you cannot read his writing, it says "Do Not Steal This Paper".  And of course, it was complete with my favorite orange warning label (cue "Danger Will Robinson" sound effects).

So the saga of The Beacon Wielding Thief continues.  

I Have Not Gone to Rehab....

In case you are thinking I may have entered coupon rehab, I just want to reassure you I am still clipping q's and feeding my addiction until I can get back out there and get my fixes.

This past week has been crazy-busy and I have had to let my addiction fall to the wayside to keep my head above water.  The last major couponing I accomplished was at Meijer on Friday, May 27th....

I had to break my purchases down to three different transactions to utilize all of my q's.

Transaction 1:

• 2 Dean's Light French Onion Dip $1.98.  Used mPerks q $1/2 and Manufacturer q $1/2.

Since the mPerks q rang in at .99/1 and .01/1 instead of .50/each item it only allowed the manufacturer q to ring in as .50/1.  The mPerks caused the computer to recognize one item as already being free and not allowing the q to be applied to it so I only got credit for half of my q amount...those are the risks you take in couponing...at least this little experiment only cost me $0.52.   I also got $1 OYNO cat back for the Dean's dips....making these dips free...but not as free as they could have been.

Transaction 2:

• 1lb Organic Strawberries $2.00.  Used $1 off any fruit purchase peelie when you buy two boxes of Kellogg's = $1.00
• 20 Yoplait yogurt $12.00.  Used mPerks q $2/20, 2 .40/6 q's and 1 .50/8 q = $8.70
• 2 boxes Kellogg's Mini-Wheat with Fruit $5.00.  Used B1G1 q from Vocal point mailer = $2.50
• 2-64oz bottles Juicy Juice $5.00.  Instant $3.00 savings when you buy in combo with two boxes of Kellogg's cereal = $2.00
• 2 Dean's Light French Onion Dip $1.98.  Used $1/2 = $0.98

Got back another $1 OYNO q for the Dean's dips.

Transaction 3:

• 2 OFF Bug Sprays $7.98.  Used store q $1/2 and 2 .75/1 q's = $5.48
• 3 packages Angus Ground beef @ $1.99/lb = $9.18 (about 4.6 lbs)
• 4 ears Sweet Corn $0.68
• 1lb Organic Strawberries $2.00
• 4 boxes Barilla pasta $3.96.  Used store q $1/4 = $2.96
•  12 Knorr Pasta Sides $12.00.  Used 3 store q's $1/4 and 6 .50/2 = $6.00
• 3 Kraft Homestyle Mac n' Cheese $5.00.  Used mPerks q .50/1 and 3 $1/1 q's = $1.50
• 4 Eckrich Sausage $6.67.  Used 2 $1/2 q's = $4.67
• 1 jar Hellman's Light Mayo $3.00.  Used $1/1 = $2.00
• 7 boxes Magnum Ice Cream bars $21.00.  Used 7 store q's $1/1 and 7 $1/1 manufacturer q's = $7.00
• 1 package Pork Steaks = $3.34
• 2 Kraft Mozzarella chunk cheese $4.00.  Used $1/2 peelie from previous purchase = $3.00

I used my 2 $1 OYNO q's I got from the Dean's dips and I also used my $10 OYNO q I picked up from my Wet Wipes and Skintimate trip a couple of days prior.

My total OOP for Meijer was $65.45.  I saved $56.30.  I didn't make my minimal 50% savings goal....but I also picked up a decent amount of meat and fruit...items that are harder to get q's for...but I bought them all at good prices.  

Overall, I was pretty happy with this trip...always wishing my savings were more...but was able to stock up on a lot for a fair price.

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...

Smooth Legs and Clean Hands...A Little Deal

Did a quick run in at Meijer on Thursday to snatch up two always-needed items at our house....shaving cream and Wet-Ones wipes.  Here is what I took home for $14.85 OOP:

• 7 Skintimate Shave Creams $16.03.  Used 7 .55/1 = $12.18
• 6 canisters Wet-Ones wipes $12.00.  Used 3 $1/2 = $9.00

I also used the $8 OYNO q I received last week for stocking up on the kiddo vitamins to bring the total down even more.  I got back a $10 OYNO for buying $25 worth of select products for an net cost of $4.85...that is only $0.37 per item:)

(You only had to hit the $25 total pre-coupon to trigger that Cat....that is how I got it down to a net cost of $4.85)

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.