A Few More Boxes Of Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Nothing too stellar last week to grab at the Jewel...but I did manage to pick up some cheap pork roasts and a couple other random items...so here you go, nothing to exciting.

• 3 Bottles Jewel Apple Juice $3.87 with in-ad coupon
• 1 Jar Jewel Hamburger Chips $3.49
• 2 Hormel Pork Roasts $13.42.  Used in store q B1G1 = $6.92
• 3 packages Jewel Chunk Cheese $5.00.  Used 3 q's from the Jewel game pieces .25/1 = $4.25
• 6 Fage Greek Yogurt $6.00.  Used a rain check from a previous sale
• 3 Cinnamon Frosted Toast Crunch $7.50.  Used 3 printables $1/1 = $4.50
• 1 box Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks $2.50.  Used .50/1 = $2.00

The fruit snacks and cereal were not a stellar price on their own, but after purchasing all four in a single transaction I got back a $2 OYNO Cat and a q for a free gallon of milk...the value of which was $6.50...the same amount that I put out...so it turns out to be a wash.  I will take breaking even any day:)  I also used a Jewel q I got in the mail for $3/$30 purchase q to help bring my total down as well.  I saved a total of $19.30 with q's and my rain check and spent $28.64 plus I got back $6.50 to use on a future shopping trip...an o.k. day:)

Finally...Coca-Cola

I am still trying to rebuild my stockpile and bring my grocery bills back down...my trips have been half and half right now.  Trying to keep the family fed and rebuild my stockpile has my grocery bills higher than I would like them to be...but I know it's not forever and it just makes me more determined to stock up on deals when I see them...even if I am so exhausted I cannot fathom getting off the couch.  Not only can my boys run me ragged...we have a third little one on the way and being preggers and chasing around two energizer bunnies is enough to make you want to take one long, giant nap.

Here is what I picked up at the Meijer today for a total OOP of $51.88.  I did get a $4 CAT back bringing my cost down to 47.88.

• 2 24-packs Coke $10.00.  (This is the lowest I have seen Coke in a long time...and I am craving Coke right now.  I am a happy camper)
• 4 lbs Navel Seedless oranges $2.00
• 4 Colgate Kids' Toothbrushes $7.16. Used 4 manufacturer q's .40/1 = $5.56.  I got back a $4 OYNO Cat for a total cost of $1.56 for all four...that's only about $0.40 per toothbrush)
• 1 bunch Cilantro $0.89
• 1.75 lbs bananas $0.99
• 3 lbs apples $3.49
• 2 lbs Krakus deli ham $7.18
• 1 lb Land O Lakes deli American Cheese $5.04.  Used manufacturer q $1/1 = $4.04
• 4 cans Ortega Black Beans $2.64.  Used 2 manufacturer q's .50/2 and a Meijer Mealbox q $1/4 = $0.64
• 1 lime $0.13
• 4 packages Kraft Shredded Cheese $6.67.  Used 2 manufacturer q's .55/2 = $5.57
• 4 boxes Lipton Noodle Soup $4.00.  Used 4 manufacturer q's .40/1 and a Meijer Mealbox q $1/4 = $1.40
• 3 lbs. Yellow Onions $1.99
• 1 2-pack 9 Volt batteries $6.29.  Used manufacturer q .75/1 = $5.54.  (not a good deal...but the smoke detector is beeping and I am completely out of 9 Volts)

Not a bad trip overall.  The Krakus was only $3.49 per pound.  A really good price and my favorite deli meat.  Deli meat freezes really well, so I break it down into smaller portions, put it in freezer bags and add it to my stockpile.  I don't like to pay for toothbrushes, but kids toothbrushes are harder to get for free than adult one...so $0.40 per toothbrush is a pretty good price.  I still gotta take a look at the Jewel deals for the week and see if there is anything good to pick up over there.  Off to make some dinner for my little guys...later:)

A Taste of Double Coupons

Life has been crazy around here.  My kiddos cannot seem to get a break from all the sick bugs going around.     It has been one thing after another with these guys since before Christmas.  I am hoping we are nearing the end of this roller coaster.  I am exhausted and tired of cleaning up the messes and the laundry that seems to be going hand in hand with all these bugs...this last week took the cake and I am just plain sick and tired of everyone being sick and tired.  It was hard to get my grocery shopping done in between all the illness, but I managed to snatch up a couple of things.  I didn't want to miss out on the double coupons Jewel was doing...especially because that happens very rarely around these parts.

No one is my area doubles coupons on a regular basis.  Once and a while, stores will do promotions where they will allow you to double a certain amount of coupons up to a set dollar value.  KMart used to do this fairly often, but have reduced the frequency and upped the restrictions to the point where it just isn't worth it to me to take part in the nonsense...especially since I don't have any KMart's particularly close to me.

Last week, Jewel ran a promotion Sunday through Wednesday that allowed customers to double up to five coupons a day if you were able to get your hands on and clip the promotional "Twice the Value" coupons in their Sunday flier.  If you didn't get your hands on those little, golden tickets...double coupons weren't going to be in your shopping future and getting the flier wasn't a given.  Not all of the Chicago Tribune inserts had this flier.  I wish I knew the rhyme or reason behind it...but I don't.  I get two Sunday Tribunes delivered...one had the insert, one did not.  Luckily, the hubs stopped at the dollar store close to work and grabbed me three papers there that all had them.  Jewel had quite the uproar from its customers in regards to the coupons not being made available to all shoppers and decided to release a printable version of these q's on Tuesday...someone didn't think that promotion out.

Here is what I picked up on my four trips to the Jewel.  I did get better deals than I should have because the checkers didn't enter the coupons correctly.  I did try to tell them that they were giving me more than they should have (yes...I am an honest couponer...doing shady things gives everyone a bad name and it is fraud) but they just looked at me like I had a third eye and could care less about what I was saying.  You can only do so much.

1.29.12

• 5 boxes Cinnamon Toast Crunch $10.00.  Used 4 printables .60/1, 1 printable .50/1 and 5 Jewel Twice the Value q's $1/1 = $2.19 

They are only supposed to double up to the amount of the manufacturer q...but this was one of those cases where the checker did it wrong and didn't care when I told him he was giving me too much.  So ....I took home some really cheap Cinnamon Toast Crunch to two happy kiddos.

1.30.12

• 10 packages Vanity Fair Napkins $21.89.  Used 5 manufactured q's $1/2 and 5 Jewel Twice the Value q's $1/1 = $11.89.

Vanity Fair napkins are another one of my brand loyalties.  I love them because they are nice and thick and don't tear when my kiddos wipe their filthy little hands on them:)  When I can snatch them up for a dollar a package before tax, I am all over it!

1.31.12

• 2 Coffeemate Creamers $4.00.  Used 2 manufacturer q's .50/1 and 2 Jewel Twice the Value q's $1/1 = $1.00
• 3 Mr. Clean Magic Erasers $7.77.  Used 3 manufacturer q's $1/1 and 3 Jewel Twice the Value q's $1/1 = $2.77

This was another case of the checker ringing in the Twice the Value q's wrong...she gave me a dollar for my coffeemate q's instead of only the $0.50 I should have gotten.

2.1.12

• 5 boxes Cinnamon Toast Crunch $10.00.  Used 5 printables .50/1 and 5 Jewel Twice the Value q's .50/1 = $5.13

My total OOP for my little doubler extravaganza was $ 22.98.  Not bad for 10 boxes of cereal, 10 packages of napkins, 2 creamers and 3 Magic Erasers.  I was a happy camper:)

Another Bullseye Pit Stop

I am having to put in some major couponing time to restock my stockpile....that means 3-4 trips a week until I have replenished my second pantry.  Meijer had some pretty decent deals coupled with a few $5/$5 purchase q's on my mPerks accounts (I have two...double the Q's).

Here is what I picked up last Wednesday for a grand total of $27.81 OOP.

Transaction #1:

• 15 jars Beech-Nut Baby Food $6.90.  Used 4 $1/1 printables = $2.90
• 2 Degree Deodorant $5.28.  Used mPerks q $2/2 = $3.28 (not a stellar price by any means...but the hubs was almost out and this is one of those things you cannot go without...lol)
• 2 frozen bags corn $2.00
• 5 6-cup packages Mott's Applesauce $3.34 after instant savings of $5.00

I also used one of my $5/$5 mPerks q's for a grand total of $6.84.

Transaction #2:

• 2 Degree Deodorant $5.18.  Used mPerks q $2/2 = $3.18 (not a stellar price by any means...but, again, you don't want to stink)
• 3 2 liters of Coca-Cola $4.00 (I am craving Coke...and that stuff is never cheap...I have accepted I am just going to have to pay for it and deal with it)
• 5 6-cup packages Mott's Applesauce $3.34 after instant savings of $5.00
• 1 Water Bottle for the hubs for work $8.39 on clearance:)

I used my other $5/$5 mPerks q for a end total of $14.88.  

I made a quick stop at the Target again to pick up some cheap vitamins for the kiddos that I didn't snatch up the day before.

• 4 60ct. Flintstone's Vitamins $17.97.  Used 3 Target printables $2/1 and 3 manufacturer q's $2/1 = $6.09 with tax

Target was running a deal, if you buy three participating products you get back a $5.00 gift card and these vitamins qualified...after my gift card I only paid $1.09 for 180 vitamins.  Almost as good as free:)

Stay tuned for Jewel Double Coupon Extravaganza....I picked up some super cheap cereal tonight and am hoping to snatch up some more goodies for next to nothing over the next three days...have a good Monday.

A Couponing I Will Go.....

I only venture to the Dominick's from time to time.  It is my least favorite place to coupon.  You have to constantly check the dates on products, the shelves are usually empty, the prices are often high and I frequently have issues with CATS not printing at the Doms.  But every once and a while it is worth to mosey on over there and pick up a few things.

My cereal stockpile was nada after my holiday vacay from couponing, so I am having to pay a bit more right now for cereal than I would like just to keep my kiddos happy....and its worth it.  They love cereal and I am good with that...especially since I tend to be running behind on getting them to school on-time.

Here is what I picked up at Doms for a grand total of $19.82....plus some random Target pick-ups too:)

Transaction #1:

• 4 boxes Honey Bunches of Oats $7.96.  Used 4 $1/1 printables = $4.10 (with tax)

Transaction #2:

• 4 boxes Honey Bunches of Oats $7.96.  Used 4 $1/1 printables = $3.96
• 4 32 oz. Gatorade $3.56.  Used J4U Q for $0.88/bottle.
• 2 gallons skim milk $3.94.  Used J4U Q for $1.97/gallon
• 4 Comet Cleanser $3.52.  Used J4U Q for $0.88/container

Total with tax for transaction #2 was $15.72.

I made a quick stop at the Target for some freebies and cheapies.  Here is what I picked up....

• 4 Rolls Up & Up Paper Towels $3.96.  Used 4 Target printables $1/1 = FREE
• 5 Bananas $1.20.  Used Target Q $1/$1 or more of fresh fruit = $0.20
• 2 Wonka Fun Dip Valentine's Day cards $6.54.  Used 2 $1/1 printables and a Target printable $1/2 = $3.54.

Not a bad little trip for under $5.00....if only all my Target trips were this cheap my hubs would be happy:)

I'm Back....

So it has been FOREVER since I have had time to sit down and blog my little couponing adventures.  Life has been crazy busy around here with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, arrivals of little ones and some big changes to come and plan for around our house.

The holidays are always a hard time for me to keep up on my couponing.  As much as it pains me, something always has to give around the holidays and it is usually my couponing.  November and December usually gives way to diminished stockpiles and increased grocery bills.  Trying to keep up with all of the baking, gift giving and holiday events just takes its toll and lesser things get pushed aside....that is were my deals suffer:(  But don't worry, my bestie and I did venture out on Black Friday and grabbed up some good deals and even made a little article in the local paper about all of us Black Friday crazies...lol.

Now that January is here and things have settled down slightly, I am back to work at replenishing my pantries and looking for some good deals...if I don't find a good cereal deal pronto my kiddos may have a mini-meltdown:)

Early this week, I ventured out to Meijer and Jewel for some deals to start packing the pantry again.  Meijer is on my poo-poo list lately as they keep altering my coupons to lesser values despite there being no overage....a flaw in their system that is about to make steam blow out of my ears!

Here is what I picked up this week for a total OOP of $55.29 and a total savings of $48.06...not too bad:)

First stop was Meijer, and I had to do two transactions...

Transaction #1:

• 3 bottles of Kikkoman Soy Sauce $5.00.  Used 3 $1/1 q's = $2.00
• 16 jars Beech-Nut Stage 2 Baby Food $$6.40.  Used mPerks q $2/16 and printable $2/16 = $2.40

My total for the transaction was $4.64and I saved $7 in q's.  I got back a $2.00 CAT for the Kikkoman sauce and a $3.00 CAT for the baby food making this a $0.60 MONEYMAKER before tax....FREE FOOD.  I like to use the soy sauce in different marinades...especially on flank steaks on the grill.

Transaction #2:

• 16 jars Beech-Nut Stage 2 Baby Food $$6.40.  Used mPerks q $2/16 and printable $2/16 = $2.40
• 2 lbs bananas $1.19
• 1 bunch cilantro $.89
• 1 lime $0.34
• 3 lbs apples $3.49
• 2 cans kidney beans $1.58
• 6 cans Spaghetti-O's $3.60.  Used mPerks q $1/6 and 2 .40/3 = $1.80
• 2 Kraft Cheese Slices $4.00.  Used .55/2 = $3.45
• 6 Kleenex Cold Touch Cubes $7.50.  Used 6 .50/1 = $4.50
• 3 boxes Kool-Aid Jammers $5.00.  Used mPerks q $1/3 = $4.00
• 3 Kraft Handi-Snaks $5.00.  Used $3/3 (the computer adjusted it down to $2.67) and mPerks $1/3 = $1.33
• 2 Kraft Shredded Cheese $4.00.  Used .55/2 = $3.45

The total was $25.15, I saved $18.97 in q's and I got back another $3 CAT for the Beech-Nut baby food....another $0.60 MONEYMAKER and more free baby food.

Last stop was at the Jewel.  Here is what I picked up:

• 4 Pasta Prima Ravioli B1G1 $8.58.  Used 4 $1.50/1 printables = $2.58
• 8 Old Orchard Frozen Juice Concentrates $10.  USed 4 B1G1 printables = $5.00
• 4 Jewel Ready-To-Eat Soup $7.56
• 1 Jar Jewel pickles $3.49
• 2 Ken's Dressing $3.34.  Used 2 $1/1 = $1.34
• 3 Canned Jewel French Cut Green Beans B2G1 = $1.58
• 3lbs Yellow Onions $1.00
• 6 Campbell's Tomato Soup B2G1 = $3.16
• 8 piece Jewel Fried Chicken $6.99
• 1 Jewel Donut $.69.  Used q for free donut = FREE

My end total was $25.50 after using the $8.00 worth of CATS I had just gotten back at the Meijer.  I saved a total of $22.09 in q's at the Jewel.

I just picked up some cheap Tide (one of my brand loyalties) at the Jewel for $2.99 for a 50 ounce bottle.  The sale only runs for 3 days and there is a limit of 2 per day per customer...so I will have to stop 2 days in a row, but it is worth it to me for cheap Tide:)

Still blogging...

I know I haven't posted in a while....but I have still been couponing and have a few posts in my head.  Hopefully, I will get some time in the next few days to spit a few out.  Stay tuned...until then, enjoy a little Lifehouse...that always helps my day along:)