Today's freebies and the hitchhikers

So not free but Christmas markdown and we all know (or now you know) that I collect rubber ducks.

 

Today’s freebies from the weekly grocery trip:

Gallon of milk (Mperks from Meijers)

2 tubes Colgate toothpaste (actually I made 50 cents off these thanks to 2 75 cents manufacturer coupons and a $1 ecoupon)

bar of Lava Soap

2 Reach toothbrushes ($2 manufacturer coupon and a great sale)

1 Reach Floss ($1 manufacturer coupon)

3 Powerade Zero ($3 off 10 e coupon)

1.25oz bottle Diet Coke (coupon on the 12 packs)

1 Good N Natural bar (free coupon)  I really like these they make great snacks for after work

10 oz can Red Gold tomatoes (Catalina)

thank

Kroger freebies and a picture of me

Today Greg & I went to the grocery store, Kroger. The past 3 days I have been playing the new Kroger Hoops game. Real easy you click on a basketball and it shoots into the basket then you win a really cool prize.

Day one I won a free California Kitchen pizza - it was automatically added to my Kroger card.

Day 2 I won $5 of a shopping order - it was automatically added to my card.

Day 3 I won a free Maxwell House coffee (39 oz or smaller) - it was automatically added to my card.

Sorry but freebies just burn a hole in my pockets so I had to go use them today. We got our free pizza (dinner tonight), we got our $5 off (sweet), I also used a Vocalpoint coupon for free Kashi cereal or crackers. Since we have 10 boxes of cereal I got crackers - similar to Triscuits. And I got a 35 oz can of Maxwell House coffee!!! (They didn't have 39 oz I looked trust me I looked!). I am so tickled with that coffee!!!

Total spent approximately the reciept is in the other room $70.54

total saved $55.98

percentage saved 45% just missed my 50% goal

Wal mart shopping

One of our neighbors offered us a ride to Walmart today. I jumped at the chance instead of riding the bus. Yeah yeah I know not using the public transit but it wasn’t just for me the neighbor was going anyways. I really needed to get out of the house I was getting stir crazy.

So I did find a few good deals:
Stacy Pita chips finally found them to use my free coupon. I got the plain with a hint of salt I liked them Greg does not care for them. $2.68
6 packets of Star Kist tuna $1 each and I used 3 $1 off 2 coupons = 50 cents each.
6 Progresso High Fiber soup $1.50 each and I used $1.10 off coupons = 40 cents each. I bought the Tomato Basil thinking I will use it for cooking. 2 Smart something macaroni $1.28 - .75 cents off coupons = 53 cents each. And the reciept is not help its just says Elbows and honestly I am to tired to go into the other room, dig them out and find out what brand they are. Besides that would require that I walk past Simba who is playful today and keeps attacking my feet (and anything else that strikes his fancy).
1 Cat chow cat food $3.27 – 1.00 = $2.27
1 Tide single load packet .97 - .35 cents coupon = 62 cents

Sub total $28.54
After coupons $13.83
Saved $14.71

Blessings

Some great shopping and this months' food pantry donation

Our Krogers was/is doing triple coupons this weekend. I didn't have many coupons that would triple (50 cents and lower)- honestly I wish they would super double (double all from 55 cents to $1.00).

I surprised myself I didn't just whilley nilley toss everything into my cart I thought and judged by what I would use.

Some of my good deals are:

6 Pillsbury grands biscuits with coupons and the Daytona $1.80 for buying 10 items special I paid $3.54 for all 6 BUT then a $4.00 on your next shopping order coupon came out.

I used my BOGO egg coupon

2 Free packages of Golden oreo cookies

2 Betty Crocker boxed potato mixes - 59 cents each and will get donated.

1 Betty Crocker pouch of potatoes - 9 cents and donated

1 can of Rotel tomatoes with chilis - 2 cents keeping them I'm about out of homegrown tomatoes. Don't worry over the past 3 weeks they have been on sale I have about 10 cans stashed away.

2 French's whorchester (sorry about the spelling) sauce - 49 cents and will donate 1.

2 Franks hot sauce - 9 cents each and I will donate both.

I also picked up the oat bran I was looking for and a package of wheat flour. That opens up different types of bread that I can make. I'm doing real well with the white bread - time to move on.

Blessings

$16 a month meat challenge - January 2010

Ok small secret here my husband and I are on Food stamps. During the recent recertification (done yearly) we were alloted $16 a month for assistance. I admit I was not very grateful at first but I said thank you and accepted the help. Even the caseworker got a laugh when I said good thing I know how to use my coupons isn't it? After a couple hours I got to thinking just what good that $16 is and made a list. Well I am starting a monthly series of what good that $16 is. This month I bought a boneless ham for $15.89 as close to $16 that I could get. I paid $1.99 per pound and it weights 7.98 pounds.Ham & egg quiche (1/2 cup)
Pizza for 2 meals (1/2 cups each)
Ham & potato or bean soup (1 cup)
Button Ham biscuits for 2 meals (1/4 cup each) These are side dishes and new recipe
Amish farmer breakfast (1/2 cup) New recipe but it looks like a big omelet with potatos in it also.
Now all the meat for those meals has been chopped and in is a container in the freezer. I'm thinking I can reach in and dish out the amount I have specified.
In addition the following for main courses:
2 slices for Apple Sauced ham slices (dinner last night and another new recipe). The picture and recipe for that will get posted tomorrow - it was so yummy!!!!
6 slices have been cut and wrapped in packages of 2.
2 lbs for Apricot baked ham (another new recipe and there could well be another meal from the leftovers but I am not counting it)
1 pound will get ground up for ham balls (new recipe)
2 slices are in the refrigerator for lunches (the oops I goofed cutting slices).

Now if I have everything counted right and listed right that is 15 meals from 8 pounds of ham.

Thank you for reading and I hope that you will follow this challenge.

Blessings to you and yours.

Shopping list for this week Dec 28

Shopping plans for this week

Walgreen’s
Playtex gloves 99 cents - $1 manufacturer coupon = Free
Colgate toothpaste $1 – 75 cent manufacturer coupon = 25 cents
Dawn dish soap 99 cents – 25 cent mc = 74 cents

I have 2 gift certificates to use up so this should all be free.

Rite Aid
Nyquil $4.99 - $2 Single check rebate (SCR) - $1.50 mc = $1.49. Plus for some reason I have in my head that there is a rebate for this but I can’t find it.
Kotex $2.99 - $2.00 SCR - $1 mc for overnights = possible free if I can match the coupon with the sale. I may pass on it for 99 cents – see the Kroger part to see why.
Reece’s valentine candy 2/$1.00 – B2G1free coupon = 3 for $1.00 plus I’ll have the wrapper for any future promotions they do and chocolate for my waistline.

I have a $7.49 refund check from the November rebates to cash so with that in mind I may need to buy the Kotex. Or I can pass on the Kotex and buy more toilet paper to use up the check.

Kroger
Highlights (because the whole list is just to long.)

Chicken breasts (boneless/skinless) $1.99 pound
Kroger and several other stores are running P&G specials. This one has me dancing in my seat. Spend $25 and get $5 off at register.
Buy 3 Always pads at $5.50 each = $16.50 plus
2 Tampax at $5.50 each = $11.00
total is now $27.50
Get $5 off right then and there = $22.50
Minus 1 BOGO Always pad coupon from this past Sunday’s P&G insert - $5.50
Minus another BOGO Tampax coupon from same insert - $5.50
Remove another $11 off total for the coupons
Total for 5 necessary items is $11.50

Now some freebies or important coupons that I use up are and all expire 12/31:
Free Ronzoni Garden delight pasta . Honestly I’ll look at it and it may be added to my next pantry donation in 2 weeks.
John Morrell Off the Bone lunchmeat BOGO
Free uncrustables 4 pack
A Healthy Rewards (Kroger program in Midwest for milk products) free ½ gallon milk

I also need to buy 2 12 packs of Budwiser beer for a buy 2 get $7 back refund which will be just about BOGO.

I understand why they call it Black Friday

#1 because people that are not morning people are forced to be. I’m guilty of that and bless Greg’s heart he heard the TV come on and entered the room with caffeine.

#2 some nonsense about retailers coming out of the red ink and into profits. Blah Blah I heard it so much yesterday I am sick of hearing it.

#3 because it was black out when we left for the bus stop. But the sunrise was beautiful amongst the clouds.

We started at 6:35 heading to the bus.
First stop was Walgreen’s for toothpaste (Free after Register rewards), Deodorant (also free), 3 smelly candles (buy 1 at $8.99 get 2 free), 3 (50 count) pain killers (great deal) at 99 cents each.. Right now I am on hold for the store manager it looks like my candles did not ring up properly, I see 1 free instead of 2. Verdict is that it is right how it looks is charged for 1, charged for the second and the third is not charged and it reverses the charge for the second one. Clear as mud???

Then across the vacant mall to Kmart. There I bought:
5 holiday kitchen towels; 2 are for AJ (he asked for them) 3 I hope to create hanging towels and sell them.
2 Oven mitts – also for AJ
3 doormats ($2.99 each) for our place. Greg likes one inside each door and one outside.
4 Movies - 3 were $2.99 and one was $5 (but it has 4 movies). I let Greg pick out 2 and the other 2 are for Christmas. No movies for Christmas next year he grumbled about me doing 2 years in a row.
Slippers 4 pairs for me ($2.99 each) and a pair for Greg. These are all spares but at those prices I wasn’t going to pass it up.
A 3 piece shirt with beanie set for my nephew Zack
2 shirts for Greg
and a Farmers almanac for 2010.
I have to exchange the beanie set and one pair of slippers.

Then across the parking lot to Rite Aid3 more candles – buy 1 get 2 free but they were $5.99 and only 2 oz smaller than the Walgreen’s ones. I should have checked the ads better 2 oz = $3 more??? Shame on me.
Batteries for 99 cents: 2 packages of D size, a 9 volt (need to change the smoke detector one), and since they had sold out of the AA they substituted a 8 pack for $1.98 and I got 4 free in the pack.
Shave cream will be 99 cents after rebate
2 packs of razors 99 each for Greg
set of Philips ear buds (headphones) that will be free after rebate
stick of cocoa butter for Sam
Old spice deoradant 99 cents after rebate
12 pack Cottonelle
another movie (some creepy, yucky, he can watch while I am not home movie)

Across the parking lot to Waffle House – food was needed

Across the street to Joann fabricSewing machine carry case (for stepmom) – it was like 66% off
Flannel – 2 different patterns 3 yards each (lounge pants for Greg)
University of Michigan - 3 yards special lounge pants
New zipper for his beloved Michigan fleece jacket
Famcy buttons for the hanging towels - 50% off
Special bear buttons – for AJ and 50% off
Cutting blade for my fabric cutter 50% off
Bias tape for Kelly’s apron
Assorted picks (for wreath and 70% off). I got drums, gift box and 2 stars
Cardstock paper (was BOGO)
And they had a coupon in the paper for 20% off your order so I saved another $9
Then we came home. I’m worn out and ready to take a nap

Ah the bliss of the fabric store

I had to make a trip to Joann's today. Notice I said I HAD to, yes there was a little man standing behind me making me go there. I went to get fabric to make some butter and a new zipper for Greg's favorite jacket. I got the fabric, I went with Muslin at the suggestion of the employees.

I forgot the zipper. My only excuse was that I didn't look at that part of my shopping list. I put it at the top of the Black friday shopping list.

I also got distracted by the Halloween things in the clearance section. I got 2 wood, I need to paint, Pumpkins, a really cute wood turkey, a wood nativity scene, and a stuffed ugly pumpkin. I shouldn't call him ugly he is so ugly he is cute and had to come home with me.Now see I buy these things during the after holiday clearance and save them for the next year. Now I have all year to paint them and I can incorporate everything into next years wreath. Not on clearance, but on sale 40% off, I got a ceramic angel.

I also looked thru the pattern books and marked down some to pick up on Friday for 99 cents (Butterick).

Well then I headed over to the fabric - looking for something pink to make an apron for my son's girlfriend. Well I found some really cute fabric, but its red, but it has bears and paw prints on it!!!My son said it will be fine. See my son is called Bear as in - big as a bear, hairy as a bear, eats like a bear and is as angry as a bear when he wakes up from hibernation - Bear. Kelly is called Baby Bear or Baby Girl Bear.

Blessing to all.

Great mail day

With the exception of my water bill everything was great mail.

I won a friends give away on her blog and that came today. She also sent a full box of other things for me. Fresh Texas pecans (Yummy too Greg had to open then and eat a few), a pretty red (my favorite color) tablecloth, some jewerly pretty earrings, and a couple necklaces and my giveawy prize a really cute pincushion.

The fabric is so cute little angels on the top in a lovely pink fabric. The underside is a solid yellow piece.

The rest of the mail was an envelope from Vocalpoint. Coupons for Del Monte Sun fruit: a Buy one Get one free, and 5 - $1 off one. I really enjoy this fruit but it is so expensive. But I'll watch the Giant Eagle ads and when they go on sale these coupons will double and make for some nice cheap fruit. And look at the cute mouse pad they sent. It looks like a record.

Fantasic shopping trip

Ah the sweet smell of success. I went across town to Giant Eagle today. They had a wonderful sale and I had wonderful coupons. Some of my freebies or very cheapies were:

Dannon Activia yogurt $2.00 – doubled $1 coupon = free
Friskees Natural Temptations = free
2 Rubbermaid storage containers $2.61 (on sale like 25% off) - $1 coupon doubled = 61 cents
2 Ziploc containers (pack of 4) $2.79 - $1 double coupon = 79 cents
4 Durkee gravy mixes 10/$10 – 50 cents off 2 coupon that doubled = 50 cents each
Daisy Sour Cream $1.50 – 50 cent doubled coupon = 50 cents (perfect for Mexican night tomorrow)
Hormel Completes $2.50 - $1 double coupon = 50 cents
Oven cooking bag $2.79 - $1 doubled coupon = 79 cents
Then my favorite deal (a double deal) 1 box of Fry Magic on sale for $1.99 - $1 doubled coupon = free
THEN on the front of the box $1 coupon on the purchase of chicken with that box and it doubled.
The pack of chicken I picked up was $5.91 – with a $2 store coupon on it and the register took both coupons!!! My chicken was $1.92!!!

Mfg coupon savings $22.20
Bonus coupon savings $20.94
Card discount $33.17
Total savings (57% saved) 76.31

Total after coupons $57.84
I liked my Dad’s comment when I read the results to him – “Well next time I’m sure you’ll do better.”

For once everyone will get to see me in the picture.

Meal plan for this week and the shopping plan

Week of Oct 26 meal plans

Mon – Dilly Salmon patties (new recipe) - review will be coming
Tues – Chicken tacos (leftover chicken)
Wed – Greg is FFY/ I’ll eat potluck at church
Thurs – French toast
Fri – Greg FFY/ Me have a meeting and ordered a box dinner
Sat – Cheeseburger Pasta (new recipe)
Sun – roast and potatoes

FFY means Fend For Yourself – Baby Girl is not cooking. Now don’t feel bad for Greg as stand bys he has a choice of stuffed green peppers and a Hormel Entrée beef tips. And he is welcome to come to church and eat potluck

I have cereal, oatmeal, eggs and usually bacon or sausage for breakfast. Lunch we usually eat leftovers and sandwiches.

Shopping Plans
Kroger
English roast BOGO
The following are part of the mega deal buy 10 get $5 off the order
Hormel pepperoni $2.99
2 Sweet Baby Ray sauce $1.49
Frank’s Hot sauce $2.49 (.50 coupon that will double)
Kotex $2.50 (2 - $1 coupon plus a $2/2 coupon)
Dannon Activa $2.29 (up from $1.88 3 weeks ago L) ($1 coupon)

Walgreen’s
Sauve for Men shampoo and/or deorderant 3/$5 - $2 RR (various coupons $.75 off deorderant and I think I have one for the men’s shampoo) = .25 deorderant (I can donate to the homeless shelter and my church’s food pantry).
Chap Stick fresh effects $2.99 - $2.99 RR = free!!!
Boy these would be great to roll between the 2 deals.

Meijer
I can’t believe its not butter $1.29
Shredded cheese $1.49 (I like to stock up and store in the freezer)
Green Giant boxed veggies $.99
Martha White baking mixes $.88
Pillsbury Flour $1.99

Giant Eagle
The following are on sale 3/$5 plus buy 4 get a free Wilton 13x9 or cookie sheet (the pan will be part of the Christmas gift for my son and his girlfriend)
Betty Crocker warm delights - .50 coupon
BC Cookie mixes -.40 coupon
Nestle bagged candy $1.99 (B3G1f coupon)
Jimmy Dean items 4/$11
Top Care items 50% off ($.50 coupon)
Swanson broth 5/$3 plus buy 10 get $2 OYNSO
Nabisco cookies 2/$5 ($1/1 from Nabisco mailer) = .50
Grands 4/$7 b4 get free eggs (various coupons)
Energizer max batteries 25% off plus I have $.75 coupons
Comfort 3 razors $2.99 ($2.00 coupon)
Halls $1.00 (coupon)

Home Depot - yep while I am at Giant Eagle I need to stop and buy plastic for our windows. It's time to winter proof the home.

Saturday

Well the day started way to erly (4:59 am). Greg & I went to Kroger's today I got a bit upset at their prices. yesterday when I was at Meijer's I passed on the Fleischman's yeast (3 pack) strips ($1.37 - .80) and I would get a $.50 OYNSO (on your next shopping order) = so basically blessed near free. I thought the price would be cheaper at Kroger and I shop at Kroger nearly every week so it wouldn't go to waste. WRONG!!! They didn't have the 3 count strip they had 4 count for $2,27.

And that was after a stop at the pharmacy to check on the cost of filling a script - $25!!! for one month!!! I can get it filled at the clinic for $4!!! granted its a pain to go wait and get back on a bus but that's $21 in my pocket. I did tell the Pharmasist that it is cheaper at the clinic (I was hoping for a price match) but he didn't go for it.

i was so upset and disappointed that I got what I needed and left not much stockpiling. I did get some fairly good deals:
chuck blade roast (managers mark down) $5.21
a chuck steak (that we can split between us) $3.21
5 pounds of ground beef 80/20 for $8
a free packet of mashed potatoes (catalina from a previous trip)
2 bags of pecan halves (to use for baking and Christmas gifts DON'T LOOK LAURA!!!) $2.99 each
1 bag of walnut halves $2.99

Between coupons, double coupons and sale prices I only saved 30%. I read that next week they will be having another Mega sale hopefully that will be better for our house. Happy shopping :)

Ah back to shopping

I saw a note posted about the Meijer's one day sale tomorrow. That lead to checking the ad and only finding 2 items that I wanted. So I checked tghe regular ad to see what else they had - bingo. I was kind of putting off going due to some rain and it would take 2 buses to get there. Then I got a phone call "do you need a ride anywhere?" Yes do you mind going to Meijer's? Nope when do you want to go a bout 1:30? Sure

That was our park manager calling.

So I went with him to Meijer's. On the way he asked if 2 - 25 lb bags of Tidy Cawt litter for $4.95 was a good price. yes but I made it better and gave him 2 - $1 off coupons. So we went in (I was coupon support he uses them but was unsure of using 2 - he's new girls). I checked th eprice of the dry cat food $4.95 (better than WalMart) and I had $3 off coupons. So I got 3 bags of cat food and Bill got 2 bags of litter.

Meijers some of the best deals:

4 Totino's Pizza rolls .29 each. I did 2 with my order and Bill did the other 2 for me.

1 Hormel ready to eat entree $3.99 - $1.00 = $2.99; shelf price $5.99

1 Hormel Complete $1.98 - $2 = free no overage

1 Friskee's natural cat treat $1.89 - $1.89 = free

1 Hot Pockets $1.89 - $1 = $.89

I got several other items total saved was $21.54 and total spent $21.64.

Coupon match-up deals for week of Sept 16

My shopping plans
Kroger - Having the buy 10 get $5 off deal
6 Kraft Easy Mac & cheese cups $1.00 each; 3 manufacturer coupons for 55 cents off 2
total $6.00 – 1.65 manu coupons = $4.31

2 Kraft salad dressing $1.99 ech = 3.98 - $1.00/2 Kroger mailer coupon = $2.98

2 Kraft single cheese slices $1.99 each = $3.98 - $1.00/2 Kroger mailer coupon = $2.98

Now these are all part of the mega deal total after coupons is $10.31 - $5.00 for the mega deal = $5.31

Other deals:
3 Sauve hair care$1.28 each = $3.84 - $2.00/3 Kroger mailer coupon = 3 for $1.84.

Walgreen’s
2 Neosporin $3.99 each , I have the Walgreen’s activity book set of coupons (you can use them and keep them to reuse until they expire in March 2010 it cost me 99 cents!!!) AND there is a register reward of $3 when you buy 2. So $7.98 - $4.00 - $3.00 = 2 for 98 cents. I am also going to check thru my uncut coupons and see if I can find a manufacturer coupons or 2.

Listerine $2.99 - $2.00 register reward = 99 cents. Again gong to look for manu coupons and I am pretty sure I have a 50 cent off 1 coupon.

True North nut - $3.00 - $3.00 register reward = free!!! Plus look out for the specially marked packages for a TMF (Try Me Free) rebate, that will mean a profit!!!

Progresso soup 4/$5 =$1.25 each. I found a 75 cents/2 Kroger mailer coupon that is a manu coupon #2.50 – 75 = $1.75

Plus the great deal of the week is on Wednesday they are offering a free roll or single use camera film developing!!! Limit 1 per person. And guess what? I found 10 cameras from the past 6 years that need developing. I’ll do mine and ask my Dad (he’s a good sport about saving money) to turn one in for me at his Walgreen’s.

More to come I haven’t looked at the Rite Aid or the Meijer’s ads yet.

Planning for a shopping trip

One of my hobbies is coupon shopping. I started couponing in 1999 when I moved back home to Ohio and was unemployed. I have not stopped although there is only myself, my future DH Greg, the 2 cats and the bird. I used the goodies to help out others such as a monthly donation to the food pantry my church supports. Right now I am gathering a bunch of stuff (mouth items) to donate to a local organization that the church’s youth will be helping with.

This week I plan on making a trip to Giant Eagle (GE). I love GE they double $1.00 coupons (here most places just do 50 cents and lower) but they are bit of work to get to. I don’t’ drive so I take the local bus system for any shopping that I have to do. When I go to GE I need a ride home so I shop at the one by my dad’s and then he will take me home.

So far just looking at the ad I see:
Bic Multi purpose lighter BOGO which works out to $1.84 a piece - $1.00 manufacturer coupon that will double so free. GE does not usually give the overage on any double coupon so I don’t count on it.
Barilla Plus pasta 2/$4 - $1 off 2 manu coupon = 2/$2 not the best deal but I am out of pasta.
Hefty One zip bags 2/$3 - $1.00 manu coupons that will double so free bags. I’ve got 10 coupons but the most I will be able to use will be 4.
Ziploc containers 2/$5 – 55 cent coupons and $1.50/2 coupons
Fancy Feast Appetizers 10/$10 - $1.00/3 manu coupon. I’m not expecting this coupon to double since the food is $1 a piece.
Tidy Cat litter 20 lbs container 2/$13 - $1.00 manu coupon = $4.50 each (the real reason I need a ride home!!)
Kashi cereal 2/$6 – 1 coupon for a free box of Honey Sunshine plus $1.50/1 coupons PLUS when you spend $10 you get $2 off your next shopping order. What I plan on doing is buying 3 boxes of cereal ($9) and a Kashi bar ($1)
Grands biscuits 4/$5 – there is a $1 internet printed coupon = 25 cents each
Carefree liners 16 – 56 count $1.99 - $1.00 manu coupon = free
Kotex various products & sizes $4.99 - $1.00 coupons = $2.99
I imagine that there will be other Health & Beauty items but I need to check the prices and my coupons. A couple of things I can think to check are Sauve lotion ($1.00 manu coupon), pain killers (various $1.00 coupons), Sally Hansen nail tools ($1.00 coupons)
Some other coupons I at least have pulled are:
Velveeta mac & cheese cups BOGO
Hormel Compleats 75 cents off
Beech Nut stage 3 fruit free (will donate to the church pantry or even use it in my muffins and cakes)
Friskees party mix (cat treats) BOGO
Nestle coffee-mate stick packs BOGO
Kashi heart to Heart oatmeal $1 (may use for the above kashi deal)
Kashi Golean hot cereal $1.00 (ditto possible kashi deal)
:Lipton tea bags free bags up to $4.00