Commissary 11/11/08

Here are several deals I got on groceries and glade today. I started my shopping at Albertson's but after my deals starting falling through I decided it wasn't worth it and headed to the commissary. Sorry you all can't cash in on these deals but watch for the items to go on sale in your area and use the coupons on them. I think almost all of my coupons were printables.

Evaporated Milk- .44
Duncan Hines Cake Mixes- .48
Progresso Soup- .81
Progresso Soup- .21
Glade Oil Candle Holder- 1.00
Glade Oil Holiday Scent Refills, Yummy!- 1.20
Kellogg's Cereal- 1.05

As you can imagine, I stocked up on most of these items. Hope you had a great day also!

Savings this Week- 11/02-11/08

I haven't posted a lot lately, mostly because I haven't been hunting as much. Anyway, I am pretty stocked with a lot of stuff so I haven't done much but here is what I did this week.

Walgreen's- I went to Walgreen's this week for one thing, and actually only got one thing, 10 times! I got the diapers that were on sale. I really like these diapers. The first trip I bought 4 without the $2 coupon and then forgot to use my RR's. So, I bought 2 more and used it. The diapers were on B1G1 sale for 8.99 so I should have paid 26.97 for 6 packs but used my gift card and RR's so $0 Out-of-Pocket. The second trip I asked the pharmacy for the coupon book and bought 4 more packs. The coupon takes off $2 for each pack so I saved $8! Yeah, my total was $9.98 but I used by GC again. $0
Summary- $89.90 in product Paid $0!

Target- Last week I had a little shopping spree and this week I took it all back! Anyway, I bought a new shelf for my basement for all my food storage and stock piles. The shelf went on sale from $54.99 to $34.99 and I had a $5 gift card. So, I got a way nice metal shelf for $29.99!

Kmart- I got 2 2GB SD cards for our camera and video player on sale for $14.99!

Amazon.com- I did a deal that I hope turns out good. I took and chance! Anyway, Barbie.com has a deal that if you spend $100 on select products they will send you a $50 Visa Gift card. So, I researched all the products and found the best prices. I bought 5 Barbie & the Diamond Castle Barbies that sing and the Barbie & the Diamond Castle Walking Horse. My total was $105.14 and I saved $8.37 with a shipping code and $8.52 with a 10% off code so my grand total was $96.62 which isn't bad for those great gifts. But, I saved another $30 by using my Amazon Credit card so I will only pay $66.62 to amazon and get back $50 from Barbie. I am hoping to get my gift card by the time I have to pay amazon so that I only have to out of pocket $16.62 but that's really pushing it. Anyway, I got a barbie and the horse for Katie for Christmas and the rest for gifts.

Misc- I spent another $41.90 on gifts this week for Christmas.

Groceries- For groceries this week I got a total of $96.27 this week, but only saved $5.50. Opps! Mostly because I took Katie to breakfast one day and then to the PTA night so eating out this week cost us $45!!! The rest was mostly spent on stocking up on baking items for the holidays and Girl Scouts. Actually, I didn't buy anything that I ate this week. Anyway, I got Duncan Hines Cake mixes and frosting's for $.47 each. I stocked up!!!

CVS- I went one time and just got what I needed, and the free toothpaste! Anyway, Pantene was on sale and there were coupons so I got 3 bottles and the toothpaste and only paid $1.23 after ECB's and coupons. I got back $5.49 in ECB's.

Thrift Store and Airman's Attic- I made a stop at both this week. I got Katie and new coat, Tyson a booster seat, and a couple misc items all from the Airman's attic for FREE!! Then, I got a carpet cleaner, a new skirt, my friend's boys a couple ties, and Tyson a snow suit for $15.25 at the Thrift Store. Pretty Good.

Well, that was my week of savings! How did you do???

Walgreens 10/24/08

I decided to take advantage of the $5 off $20 and try to get my FAR items for November. But, I didn't find much to get.

I grabbed some candy for the trick-or-treaters, much needed cold and flu medicine and the Almay Mascara with Free eye liner.

I had 2 $1 off for the Triaminic, $2 off for the Theraflu, $1 off for the Almay, and $3 off for the candy. But, the cashier scanned $3 worth of the coupons twice and didn't want to fix it. Yeah!! So, I ended up paying $10.88 out-of-pocket, got back $8 for the medicine, $2.99 mail-in-rebate for the theraflu, and $6.99 rebate for the mascara. Pretty good!

CVS Trip

Monday has a whole new meaning to me. I love Monday's!!! Anyway, I only went to CVS this morning and this is what I got.2 Pumpkin Pals- .99 each but Free after ECB's
2 Light Sticks- .99 each but Free after ECB's
2 Brach Candy's- 1.29 each but Free after ECB's
I paid with $6 ECB's and .54 and got back $6.54 in ECB's

Excedrin- 1.99 but used $2 off coupon and $3 off coupon!!!
Powerade- $1.69 but Free after ECB's
Babywipes- $2.79 but used $1 off coupon
2 Crest Whitestripes- 5.99 each but used 2 $7 off coupons!!!
2 Always Infinity Pads- $4.99 each but used 2 $2 off coupons and received $2 ECB's
I paid with $3.98 in ECB's and $.46 cash and got back $3.69 in ECB's

Overall: Product = $42.57
Cash Out of Pocket = $.99
ECB's started with = $8.00
ECB's left with = $8.25

How You Asked!! (Post to Karen)

First things first, you can't live in Italy!!!

Then, you have to stock pile coupons. The commissaries overseas let you use coupons up to 6 months after they expire. I have a ton if you want me to mail them to you. You need to save the coupons until the item goes on sale and then use it. But, because your limited to what stores you can shop at it will be harder.

ECB's or Easy Care Bucks from CVS Pharmacy and RR's are Register Rewards from Walgreen's. Both of these stores give those as money to use toward your next purchase.

So, the trick is to have a coupons, get the item on sale, and hopefully get rewards back. You can stack 2 coupons for one item if you have a manufacture coupon and a store coupon.

Example from my trip to CVS today:
2- Nature Bounty's Vitamins- CVS put them on sale for Buy 1 Get 1 Free and I had 2 coupons for $2 off each item. CVS allows you to use a coupon on the free item still, some stores do not. So, they ran up as $9.18, minus B1G1 ($4.39), minus coupons ($4.00), total out-of-pocket was $.79 and they gave me $2 in ECB's.

2- Crest White strips Trial Size- I had 2 coupons for $7.00 off any crest white strip so when I saw the trial size for $5.99 I was excited. P&G (Procter and gamble) allow you overage on there products if you roll it into another P&G item so keep reading to see what I did. So these two items for completely free. (Who cares if they are trial size when they are free. I just got 2 weeks of white teeth!)

2- Swifter Products- CVS put these items on sale and I have coupons. So, I bought the Sweeper Starter Kit for $7.99 and the Duster Kit for $6.99 but used a coupon for a free duster when you buy a sweeper the cashier took off $7.99 instead of $6.99 thought). Then, the roll over from the crest white strips work since swifter is a p&g product. So, $14.98 minus $7.99 from coupon, minus $2.02 from white strips, total out-of-pocket was $4.97 and they gave me $5 in ECB's.

24pack Nestle Water- This was on sale for $4.49 and I had a $1 off coupon. Who can't use water. I paid $3.49 out of pocket and got back $1 in ECB's.

Total for my trip:
Product- $46.93
Savings- $38.18
Total Out-of-Pocket - $8.75
Total ECB's earned for next week- $8.00

So, next week I will have a way lower out-of-pocket because I can use my ECB's. To bad I didn't have any this week.

Anyway, this is a long post to try and explain something you can't really do right now, but this is how I am doing it.

Let me know if you would like coupons and I'll send them your way. Just using them at the commissary I save a lot of money and get some things free still. They allow overage and Internet printed coupons, at least at my commissary. Internet printed coupons are awesome so watch for them. I'll post some links if you want them.

Last week at the commissary I got 2 boxes of broccoli and cheese and 3 packages of kotex and paid $.79.

Hope this helps. what other questions do you have. I can explain the rebate program for you but it is for Walgreen's or rite aid if your interested.

Quick Trip to CVS

I had 10 minutes before my Dr. Apt so I ran into CVS with a couple coupons and no real plan. But, I picked up 24 pack of Nestle Water, 2 bottles of vitamins (this was my real reason for going, I'm getting desperate, anything that says helps bone growth, I bought it) Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit, Swiffer Sweeper Duster, and 2 trials packs of Crest White Strips (8 strips each box). I didn't have any ECB's so I paid $8.75 Out-Of-Pokect and I got back $8 in ECB's for next week. Not bad for a total of over $40 before coupons, huh!

Walgreens

Okay- I just stopped by Walgreen's to get some rechargeable batteries because they were on sale and I have my gift card. I ended up getting 3 Dimatapp's and paid $5.97 on my gift card but got back $10 RR so I used it toward my batteries and also got the Free After Rebate L'Oreal and 2 Glade Oil Refills with the free warmers. So, I used $8.94 on my gift card but will be getting back $9.99 and I got cold medicine, face cleaner, batteries and Glades. Yeah for a quick trip.

I am pretty stocked up on a lot of stuff so I am trying to only get stuff that is free or I have money on my gift card. So far so good.

How are you doing??

Walgreens Deals

Okay- if you haven't purchased items for rebate #27 then your in luck. Here is a link for some coupons that make this deal awesome.



http://www.rightathome.com/offers/OctCoupons/Default.aspx



You can print coupons for each one of the items in the rebate so you end up paying .50-1.00 per item and getting $1 back on each item. You can buy six. (make sure you print each coupon twice by hitting the back button 3 times after they print)



Also, rebate #29 is the automatic shower cleaner which is on sale for $19.99 and there is a coupon for $10 from above so you pay $9.99 OOP but get back $10.



Also, check out rebate #30 for more scrubbing bubble rebates from the printables above.

Giveaway

Check out this website for a great giveaway and some cute products from Pineapple Hill!!


http://momsbyheart.blogspot.com/2008/09/giveaway-from-pineapple-hill-designs-25.html

Monday Madness

I usually go shopping first thing Monday morning. I like getting out of the house early and then being able to come home, put Tyson down for a nap, and check out my deals. The bad part is, I am bored the rest of the week so I usually go again even though I don't need to. (oh wait, I never NEED to).

Anyway, I'm having fun tracking all my spending in Excel (I LOVE spreadsheets) and seeing how much I am really spending. I'll try and get a link up soon to my spending. So, everyone knows how bad at budgeting I really am.

I ran by Shannon's this morning in hopes she would come with me and she did! It was way funner having a friend come with me even though she, and I, had tons of house cleaning to do. We took time and went shopping!!

First Stop, Walgreens: I got my gift card reloaded this morning so all my shopping is FREE!!

I got a bunch of cleaners that I am excited about. Fantastic Spray, Shout, Pledge Wipes, Pledge Spray with Free Duster, Windex Wipes, and Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Wipes. Then I got 4 toothbrushes, 2 yummy candles, and 10 gift bags. I had $15.49 in coupons, then I used my RR’s and Gift Card for the remaining $15.93. Oh, then I submitted for $8.00 in rebates.

CVS Land: I bought 2 toothpastes and some kids sanitizing hand spray (Play land here we come) for 18 cents. Then I bought 1 Soleil Razor and some razor refills along with some glacier water for 27 cents. Then, I splurged on face cream which I needed, and bought 2 bottles Eurcein redness relief cream and 2 bags of autumn mix candy for my jar and I paid $9.67, Ouch!!! (I gave one bottle to Shannon for her little girl) Then I used the rest of by ecb’s to get my camera card which was on sale. I got a 2 GB SD card and only paid $7.99. I only left with .50 in ecb’s for next week though.

Albertson's: They have a pretty good sale right now for General Mills products if you have coupons to make the deal better. Which, of course, I did. So, although I can buy many of these things way cheaper at the commissiary, with this deal I made out and my pantry snack shelf is restocked. I got:

5 boxes of fruit by the foot/gushers/fruit roll-ups, 9 boxes of chicken or hamburger helper, 2 chex mix turtle bars (yummy yummy) 2 boxes of potatoes, 2 jars of frosting, 4 mini warm delights brownies, 2 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, and 4 Pillsbury crescent rolls. I got a total of 30 items and paid 28.64. Oh, I added a bottle of olive oil to that and it added $4. I only paid about .80 a box for each item.

So, today I spent $46.75 but got $218.40 in groceries and household items.

KMart Trip #2

So, here's the pic from my next shopping trip. The out of pocket was a little higher because I actually bought something without a coupon, well two things. I bought a cookie for $1 and then some scotch refills for $3.79. Anyway, here is my pic.

I got 11 boxes of Electrosl, 3 bottles of Gain Fabric Softner, Swiffer Duster and Scotch refills and only paid $6.77. They actually doubled by entire coupon for the electrosl so I only paid $.22 per box. Yeah!! So, I'm pretty sure I will not be buying dishwasher soup for A LONG TIME!!!

KMart Doubled My Coupons!!!

So, my local Kmart let me double all my coupons. So, I pretty much stole a ton of stuff from them, legally, of course. I got $51.49 of product and paid $1.49!!! The cashier just laughed at me when he told me my total. I loved it!! I also ran by Target for some summer clearance clothes for next year and more buddies. Then to Walgreens to cash in on the Tylenol deal. Altogether today I spent $14.12 and got $93.42 in stuff. The freakin' cutest shorts for Katie are on sale for $3.28 at Target.

New Blog

I'm just starting this blog. It's going to take a bit to get it up and running, but if you checking it out then your interested in my great deals so I'll keep you posted.

I am also going to start posting the deals I have found even if I didn't get them in case your interested in them. Also, ask questions and I'll try and fill you in on how I do it and what may work for you.

My Shopping Trips!

This seems to be about the only thing I blog about anymore. Oh, that's because shopping is the only thing I can do with a dumb foot! My goal today was $10 OOP and I almost made it. They were out of one product I was making $2 on so that upped my OOP. Anyway, this is the loot I got.
2 Packages of Post-It Sticky Tabs
2 Packages of Picture Frame Hangers (these are awesome!)
1 Paper Cutter (actually it’s for coupons. I have been waiting to be able to buy this !)
I paid $2.00
1 Gillette Fusion Razor
1 Cover Girl Foundation
I paid $.48
1 Pantene Shampoo
1 Pantene Conditioner
1 Pantene Hairspray
4 Dawn plus Hand Renewal
I paid $.62
1 Oral-B Toothbrush
1 Rimmel Foundation
1 BABY RUTH, YUMMY!!
I paid $6.12 (the foundation is a rebate for $7.49)
1 Magic Eraser 2 pk
2 Febreeze Air Effects Spray
1 Mr. Clean Liquid Cleaner
1 Tic-Tac (filler)
I paid $3.95
3 Softsoap Body Wash
I paid $.47
I started the day with $15 in ECB’s and $5 in RR’s and ended up spending $13.64 OOP and receiving $10.79 in ECB’s and $4.50 in RR’s along with a $7.49 rebate for October, and receiving $95.97 in product. Not Bad!

So, for my monthly update, besides the case-lot sale, I purchased $713.85 in groceries and household items this month. I saved $363.43 using coupons, $213.37 using ECB’s, RR’s & Gift Cards, and I only spent $137.05 the WHOLE MONTH!!! (That’s only $35 a week for groceries, too!! ) But, I also don’t have a husband here to eat a lot and I was out of town for a week.

More Deals!

No picture this time- but for those of you who are wondering how my week went, here you go. I only went shopping 4 times (that's amazing considering I am so bored) and I only spent $32.77 OOP and I got $193.90 in stuff. Besides the huge amount of stuff I got this week I had fun doing it. (That's really why I do it) Anyway, I also have $15 in ECB's $5 in RR's, $36.12 coming on my gift card for Walgreen's in September, and I already have $8 for October's. I didn't spend any money out-of-pocket this month at Walgreen's (except for a little while I was in St. George) because of my gift card from last month. I even got a really cute pumpkin jar, fall decorations for my house, and candy for my new jar. Yeah!!! I also got a MP3 Player for Jake this week as part of my $32.77 (original price was 39.99) so that was another huge score for me, well Jake!!!

Hope your bargain hunting was as fun as mine this week. My stockpiles are growing so much and I can't believe how much my grocery budget has gone down not having to buy everything at full price when I need it. I will be washing my dishes this next year for only $5.40 because I just stocked up on 10 boxes of gel packs and still have 10 coupons left to get another ten boxes for $5.40 but I cleared the shelves at the store. Anyway, enough is enough!!! Have a great week!

I'm Getting Good!!!

So, your probably tired of hearing about my great deals, but here is another successful shopping trip. I love looking in my closet and seeing my stockpiles building and my grocery and household budget shrinking dramatically. This trip was one of my favorites because I got a lot of stuff that we needed and use a lot of. Check it out!!! So, I got 2 sets of Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner and then some Pantene Hairspray and Pantene Smooth Serum, along with 2 of the expensive cover girl lipsticks, 3 bottles of shaving gel, 2 bottles of Dawn, toothpaste, Excedrin, 3 pringles, and 4 of the large boxes of Pop tarts, plus two 2009-2010 calendars. So, let's go shopping at Wal-mart and buy all this stuff (because I don't think it fair to add up what the original price was at the stores I bought them because I would never buy them there at original price) so, I don't really know all the exact prices so I guess. Pantene is about $3.50 a bottle so $14, then another $7 for the styling product. Blah Blah, I figure all this would run me about $66 dollars at Wal-mart. Drum roll............... I paid Out of Pocket only $13.78. Here's how I did it for those of you who were in awe as much as I was when I first heard about someone doing this.

CVS: #1- Pantene on sale 3/$9.99 I had $1 off coupon from CVS and a coupon for a free styling product when you buy shampoo and conditioner, so I got the hairspray for free. Then I had $5 Easycare Bucks that I used. So, the total would have been $9 and I paid only $.66!!! Plus, I received $2 Easycare bucks for next transaction.

#2- Pringles- .88 each and had a .30 off 3 coupon (Jake is taking these to Iraq) Dawn- .99 each and I had 2 .50 off coupons Colgate- 2.99 and I had a 1.50 off coupon Cover girl- 9.99 but I had a B1G1 coupon Cover girl- Free on the B1G1 sale

So, the Pringles were $2.34, the Dawn was .98, the Colgate was $1.49 and the Cover girl was free. But, I used my $2 Easycare Bucks from the Pantene, a $2 off $10 CVS coupon and I only paid $.81! Plus, I received $2 Easycare bucks for my next purchase. Yeah!!!

Target: This was my biggest expense on the trip. I like having these in my cupboards even if they are not the best for you they are good snacks for the kids. Pop tarts- 4/$9 and then I had 4 .50 off coupons totally $7 for the four big boxes. Great Deal! But, I got back a $5 gift card to use at a later time.

Walgreens: #1- Pantene on sale 2/$9 and I had 2 $2 off coupons, plus I had a coupon for a free styling product so I got the smoothing serum free. Then I grabbed a little calendar. I had $3 in Register Rewards (actually I have another $1 but they wouldn’t take 2 in one transaction) so I only paid $3.00 out of pocket and I got back $3 in Register Rewards.

#2- Gillette Gel- 3 @ 1.99 = 5.97 – 1.65 in coupons = $4.32 Excedrin- 1.99 - $2.00 coupon = $-.01 Little Calendar- 1.00 (no coupon) I then used my $3 register rewards and paid only $2.31 and then I got back $4 in Register Rewards.

So, I don't count the money back on this transaction because then when I use it I am counting it twice. I only count up what my actual out of pocket is to see how my deals are. But, if you wondering, I paid $13.78, got over $66 in product and I ended the day with $5 Gift Card, $4 Register Rewards, and $7.99 in Easycare bucks for my next weeks purchases.

If your interested in joining the fun, start collecting all the coupons you find. Having the right coupons when the product goes on sale is the key.