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.

It's been slow going

Not much has been happening on the coupon front these past couple of weeks which is fine because I have totally been preoccupied with the Master Bedroom redo.  I have picked up some awesome finds and cannot wait to see it all come together! Here is a sneak peak of a few:

I know my coupon lull is the calm before the storm of July 4th sales.  I am taking the time to rally the troops in preparation for the big sales.  I have cleaned out the coupon organizer and kept up-to-date on all my printables...now I sit and wait.   Holidays are always a good time to stock up on paper goods, soda and hot dogs...we'll see what else is up for grabs next week.

I have gotten some little fixes here and there.  I picked up two sets of sheets for the boys at Target on Tuesday for $13.98 a set for fulls....not too bad.  They were on clearance for $18.98 and I had two Target printables for $5/1 Home bedding.  They were originally $37/set so I was happy with my $23 savings on each or $46 total...WOOHOO!  ALWAYS print a coupon if you have the slightest inkling you can use it.  They often disappear even though their expiration dates may be far off and you will end up kicking yourself later for not printing it when you could.

On an end note...my paper man has been on his best behavior and my Beacon-Wielding Thief has taken a little siesta....but I am awaiting his return, he surely won't stay away forever.  I think my hubs is missing The Beacon, he asked me if I wanted to get a subscription when we got a post card in the mail offering up the Friday and Sunday edition for only a $1/week for 26 weeks.  In return, they will give you a $10 Home Depot gift card so in the end it only costs $16.  My thoughts on this, Why would I pay for a paper I already get for free?  I'm just saying....

A Trip Down Randall Road....

I had a bunch of errands to run in preparation for the upcoming Father's Day celebrations.  I had already accomplished most of my shopping at the Meijer on the Friday before...but there is always a coupon in my organizer dying to be used so I made a few ore stops in between my party preps.

I stopped back at the Meijer, Doms and Jewel.  Here is what I picked up for a total OOP of $25.88.

First stop, Meijer:

• 3 1lb packages of butter $7.50
• 3 Dannon Danimals yogurt $5.67.  Used 3 $1/1 q's and the $2 OYNO I picked up the other day from a previous Dannon purchase = $0.67

Total at Meijer with tax was $8.41.  I needed all the butter to whip up some Mint Julep cupcakes for my hubs, brother-in-law and father-in-law on Father's Day. They were a big hit and looked good too:)

Back to the shopping...next stop, Dom's:

• 2 boxes cat litter $13.98 with in store q.  Used 2 $3.50/1 e-q's I had loaded on my Fresh Values card = $6.98.
• 7 Lunchables Cracker Combos $8.75.  Used 7 $1/1 q's = $1.25
• 1 Febreze Flameless Luminary $0.99.  Used J4U promotion I had loaded on my card the week before for this awesome price.
• 1 Febreze Flameless Luminary refill $4.69.  Used B1 Febreze Flameless Luminary and G1 refill free = FREE
• 1 Frebreze Noticeables starter kit $0.99.  Used J4U promotion I had loaded on my card the week before for this awesome price.
• 1.88 lbs seedless red grapes $1.86

Total OOP at Dom's was $13.51.  

Last stop was the Jewel for some  more hummus....Jax was just craving it...LOL

• 2 Tribe Hummus $3.99.  Used 2 $1/1 q's = $1.99
• .94 lbs Tomatoes on the Vine = $2.81

Total OOP $3.56.  I saved a total of $41.98...finally a savings of over 50%....it has been rough for me lately....but I keep truckin' on...LOL

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.