Now Back to our Regulary Scheduled Couponing...

I have been M.I.A. for almost two weeks....but I have still been getting my coupon fixes (even while on vacation with my boys) and picking up some good deals.  Stay tuned, I have lots to ramble on about...

Finally...A Good Fix

I have been needing a good cereal buy...we are down to only 6 boxes in our stockpile and I could feel my nerves creeping up.  I like to keep between 2-3 dozen boxes in my stockpile.  We eat a lot of cereal for breakfast and if I have to pay over a $1.00 a box I start to get angry.  Even $1.00 is the top of my threshold (I like to pay $0.50 or less).  Although, I will gladly pay $1.00 for Captain Crunch...it is my cereal kryptonite and it is soooo hard to pick it up for much cheaper.

Here is what I brought home from Dominick's and Wal-Mart for $16.96 OOP.  I got back a $3.00 cat that I am going to take to Jewel tomorrow for some more cheap cereal for a bottom line of $13.96.  I was even able to grab some gossip mags for vacation for cheap:)

First stop was Dominick's where I had to do...get ready for the shocker...two transactions.  I could have done 3, but decided to keep my pain-in-the-ass rating at a low level today:)

Transaction #1

• 5 boxes Kellogg's cereal $10.00.  Used printable $5/5 = $5.00.  Got back a $3.00 OYNO cat.

Transaction #2

• 5 boxes Kellogg's cereal $10.00.  Used printable $5/5 = $5.00.  Got back a $3.00 OYNO cat.
• 3 boxes Barilla Piccolini $3.00.  Used 2 .55/1 = $1.35
• 1-20 lb Tidy Cats Clumpin Litter $5.99 (w/ in-store q).  Used e-coupon $2/1 = $3.99

Used the $3.00 cat from the first transaction.  Spent a combined total of $13.07 at Dom's and left with a $3.00 cat in my pocket for the Jewel.

Wal-Mart (only 1 transaction..lol)

• 2 travel size Tide $1.94.  Used 2 $1/1 = $0.06 Overage
• 4 packages trial size Cascade dishwasher tablets $3.88.  Used 4 $1/1 = $0.12 Overage
• People Magazine $2.79.  Used printable $2/1 = $0.79
• US Weekly $2.79.

Spent a grand total of $3.88 at the Wal-Mart....a pretty good day couponing.  I also sold some of the boys clothes at Once Upon A Child for $38.25.   I waited WAY too long to sell this season so I was only able to get rid of a fourth of what I normally do...there's always next year...but I will take my $38.00 because something is better than nothing.  

A Typical Friday at the Meijer

My Friday mornings are starting to get very routine with a trip to Meijer complete with two consistently crabby kiddos.  I even stopped at Portillo's and filled them up with hot dogs prior to the shopping trip hoping to avoid a deja vu moment, but they quickly forgot all the yummy goodness and fun we had there and transformed into two bickering brothers the minute I pushed the land-yacht cart through Meijer's front doors.  Here is a quick pic of happier times...lol.

Nothing thrilling this Friday.  Here is what I took home for a total of $59.76 OOP:

I had to do two transactions (as seems to be the usual lately) to use all my mPerks q's.

Transaction #1:

• 1 Johnson & Johnson's Natural Baby Wash $4.79.  Used printable $1.50/1 and mPerks $1.50/1 = $1.79
• Bunch of bananas $1.18
• 2 lbs Krakus Ham Lunchmeat (on sale for only $2.99/lb) $6.40
• 1 lb Hard Salami $3.99.  Used tearpad q $1/1 = $2.99
• 2 Aunt Jemima Frozen French Toast $5.00.  USed 2 printables $1/1 = $3.00
• 3.5 lbs peaches $3.43
• 1 dozen eggs $0.99
• 2.5 lbs red grapes $3.00
• 2 pints blueberries $3.00
• 1 Danimals Yogurt $1.89.  Used $1/1 = $0.89
• 3-1 lb tubs Smart Balance spread $7.50.  Used 3 printables .75/1 = $5.25
• 3 Tombstone frozen pizzas $10.50.  Used printable $1.50/3 = $9.00
• 3 small Kraft Mozzarella Shredded Cheese and 3 small Kraft Natural Chunk Cheese $6.00.  Used 3 peelies $1/2 when you buy one of each = $3.00
• 1 Meijer split-top wheat sandwich bread $1.00.  Got the loaf free with the "buy 10 get the 11th free" promo = FREE
• 4 Old Orchard frozen apple juice concentrate $4.00.  Used mPerks q $1/4 and printable $1/4 = $2.00

Transaction #2

• 1 Johnson & Johnson's Natural Baby Wash $4.79.  Used printable $1.50/1 and mPerks $1.50/1 = $1.79
• 2 Breakstone's Ranch Dip $5.58.  Used 2 mailer q's for free dip = FREE
• 4 Kraft Veggie Pasta Mac N' Cheese $4.00.  Used 4 printables .75/1 = $1.00
• 1 Breakstone's Roasted Garlic Sour Cream $1.00.  Used mailer q for free sour cream = FREE
• 2 bags Earthbound Organic baby carrots = $2.00
• 2 Meijer split-top wheat sandwich bread $1.00.  Got one loaf free with the "buy 10 get the 11th free" promo = $1.00
• 2 bags Meijer Butter Braid Pretzels $2.00
• 1 bag Meijer Cheese Balls $1.00
• 4 Old Orchard frozen apple juice concentrate $4.00.  Used printable $1/4 = $3.00

I saved a total of $65.82 in clipped q's, mPerks and store promos...another day and another dollar gone...here's hoping for some better stock-up sales soon.

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:)

Oh Target, How Do I Love Thee...

I love Target!  I know I have said it before, but I really do love Target...they have anything you could ever want and a plethora of coupons to satisfy my every craving (did I mention my affection for all the clearance end-caps too?).  Today, I came upon a deal at Target....a deal I have been waiting for...a deal that no one had blogged about...a deal I found all on my lonesome...a deal I had been holding onto my precious coupons for.  I was so excited I almost couldn't control myself...my patience was going to pay off (sometimes good things really do come to those who wait).  Sound a little dramatic??  Of course, but I gotta be me and that's how I roll:)

Here is what I picked up at the Target today.  I had to do two transactions to make full use of all my coupons and gift cards:

Transaction #1:

• 10-4 packs Schick Quattro Dispoable Razors $69.90.  Used 5 $1/1 q's and 5 B1G1 q's ($6.99/1) = $29.90 (with tax my total came to $33.26)

I did get $0.05 off my total for using a reusable bag as well.  The icing on this cake was that for every two packs of disposable razors you bought, you got a $5.00 Target gift card...which is good as cash in my house.  So I handed over $33.26 to the cashier and in turn she handed me back $25.00 in gift cards for an end cost of only $8.26 for 40 razors (only $0.21/razor...YIPPIE)...did I mention that these are normally only 3 packs, but these were the bonus packs with an extra razor each.  Is it Christmas???  I feel like it's Christmas.

Transaction #2:

• 1-3 pack Huggies Wipes $6.49.  Used Target cat $1/1 and manufacturer q .50/1 = $4.99
• 1 swimsuit cover-up $17.48 on clearance.  Used Target q $3/1 clothing item = $14.48
• 1 Eucerin Aquafor Ointent $7.49
• 1 travel size Skintimate Shave Gel (with free razor) $1.47.  Used printable .75/1 = $0.72 (the bonus on this one is when I unwrapped it there was $1.55 worth of q's for more razors and shave gel...BONUS)
• 1 Oral-B Stages Toothbrush $2.59.  Used Target q $1/1 = $1.59
• 1 travel size contact solution $1.99
• 1-2 pack contact solution $4.59 (I had a $1/1 q that I totally forgot to use on this and that just pisses me off....but thanks to the razor high, I was able to let it go...well, sort of)

I got another $0.05 off my total for using a reusable bag.  My total before the $25.00 in gift cards was 38.58.  I paid $13.58 OOP. 

A very successful day for couponing...razors are one of those necessities that are always costly, so when I can pick them up super cheap it makes my day...I am still feeling a little coupon stoke:)

Ohhh, I almost forgot to share my little Pier 1 freebie.  They had a printable for $10/$10 purchase (no longer available).  This one was too good to pass up, so I printed it and off I went with the kiddos.  I found some cute coasters for our newly redecorated bedroom for FREE!

Back For More

On Saturday (GASP), I ventured back to the Jewel to get another round of Tide.  The price was just too good to pass up.   I had used all my cats from my previous trips, but my end cost was only $15.61 OOP for four boxes.  They were $5.49/box and I used 4 manufacturer q's for $2/1.

Next, I went down the way to Meijer.  I have to admit that shopping on a Saturday wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I don't plan on making it a habit.  I much prefer shopping during the week when the crowds are slower and the shelves tend to be stocked.  Out of all the stores I regulary shop at, I feel that my Meijer does the best job of keeping the shelves stocked...especially on sale items.  Here is what I picked up for a total of $50.69.  Not my cheapest or best shopping on this day...I was a bit disappointed with my end OOP, but such is life (at least I got some beer to wash back the tears:).

I had to do two transactions to utilize all of my mPerks q's.

Transaction #1:

• 2 Chi-Chi's tortillas $3.78.  Used 2 .50/1 = $2.78
• 1 Hormel Natural Lunchmeat $2.50.  Used mPerks q B2 Chi-Chi's tortillas, G1 lunchmeat free = FREE
• 20 Yoplait Light Yogurt $10.00.  Used 2 printables .60/8 and 1 .40/4 = $8.40.  Got back a $2.00 OYNO cat.
• 2-2 ct. boxes Barber Chicken Cordon Bleu = $7.00.  Used 2 printablews $1/1 and mPerks q $1/2 = $4.00.

Transaction #2:

• 1 bunch parsley $.69
• 1 lemon $0.67
• 1 dozen x-large eggs $1.74
• 12 packages M&M's $8.88.  Used 6 .75/1 = $4.38.  (The peanut ones have a movie ticket promo on them and I have only entered one code and won $3.00 off my next movie ticket...I have almost made my money back and I have special treats for the boys for vacay)
• 1 package organic mushrooms $2.00
• 2 packages Red Star yeast $1.98
• 1-6 pack Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss $7.79
• 4 Eckrich Sausage $9.16.  Used 2 $1/2 = $7.16
• 1 pint blueberries $1.50
• 4 Old Orchard Natural Blends Cranberry Juice $6.67.  Used 4 printables $1/1 = $2.67
• 2-2 ct. boxes Barber Chicken Cordon Bleu = $7.00.  Used 2 printablews $1/1 and mPerks q $1/2 = $4.00.

I also used the $2.00 cat I got from the previous order.  I saved a total of $31.47 in clipped q's at Jewel and Meijer and over $53.00 if you include the preferred card savings and store promos.  There's always next week...

The Tide Has Come In...

Jewel has a little Catalina extravaganza going on over there this week, so I made a pit-stop Friday night to pick up some of the goodies along with some of the 3-day promos, particularly the Tide (we all know how loyal I am to Tide).  Here is what I picked up for $21.54 OOP:

I had to do three transactions to maximize my cats and use them all up so I could pay as little OOP as possible.  

Transaction #1:

• 3 boxes Pop-Tarts $5.00.  Used printable q $2/3 = $3.00.  Got back $1.00 Cat
• 4 tubes Crest toothpaste $6.00.  Used 4 .75/1 = $3.00.  Got back 2 $1.00 and 1 $2.00 Cat for a $1.00 MONEYMAKER
• 2-4 pack Danimals yogurt = $4.00.  Used 2 $1/1 = $2.00.  Got back $1.00 Cat

Total was $8.61 with $6.00 back in Cats.

Transaction #2:

• 3 boxes Pop-Tarts $5.00.  Used printable q $2/3 = $3.00.  Got back $1.00 Cat
• 4 tubes Crest toothpaste $6.00.  Used 4 .75/1 = $3.00.  Got back 2 $1.00 and 1 $2.00 Cat for a $1.00 MONEYMAKER
• 2 Fresh Express bagged Romaine Salad $2.56.  Used 2 $1/1 printables (no longer available) = $0.56
• 1 Fresh Express bagged Spinach Salad $1.28. Used $1/1 printable (no longer available) = $0.28
• Bunch of bananas = $1.24

Used $6.00 from the previous transaction and got back another $5.00 in Cats.  Paid $2.71 OOP.

Transaction #3:

• 4-40 load Tide powder detergent $21.96.  Used 4 $2/1 q's = $13.96

Used $5.00 in Cats from the previous transaction.  Total OOP $10.22 (stinking tax)....not bad for 160 loads of Tide.  

I have no qualms with using the powder.  I feel it cleans just as well as the liquid and I never have an issue with it not dissolving.  Since I went pretty late in the day, I was only able to pick up 4 boxes because the shelves were already empty.  I think I will go back tomorrow and pick up 4 more....even without the $5.00 in Cats to knock the price down, $13.96 is a good price for 160 loads of Tide.  I didn't really need the toothpaste, but since they were going to give me $2.00 to take home 8 tubes, I couldn't pass it up...now I am stocked for about a year...I think we will need all that toothpaste with the plethora of Pop-Tarts that has come our way.