My first Smith's Shopping adventure!

WOW!

I am feeling the Coupon HIGH!!

I just got done tallying my Smith's Bill and was so excited to see my savings!  Smith's is having their 10's deal where if you buy 10 of the featured item you get an automatic $5 off your bill.

And they had some great items on this "10's deal"!!

I bought 60 items and spent $81.76.

 

I went there for 5 specific items that qualified on their purchases:

Capri Sun

Nabisco Crackers

Fiber One bars

Hormel Chili

Kraft Cheese

Now I did stray slightly - but I had a coupon for all other items.  Here is the breakdown  - not including the extra items -

Fiber1 $2.49 x10 = $24.90

Nabisco $2.49 x10 = $24.90

Hormel Chili $1.29 x10 = $12.90

Kraft Cheese $1.99 x10 = $19.90

Capri Sun $1.99 x10 = $19.90

---------------------------------

$101.90

-$25 (met 10's deal, got $5 off x 5)

----------------

$76.90

This is still a great deal - but I had some coupons to add!!

$1 off Kraft

4/$1 off Nabisco

2/$2 off 2 Box Ritz

4/$.50 off Hormel Chili

2/$.55 off 2 cans Hormel Chili

2/$1 off Capri Sun

1/$.40 off Fiber1

2/$.75 off Fiber1

---------------

$16.00

FINAL TOTAL OUT OF POCKET: $60.90 !!!

This totaled 50 items and $60.90 spent out of pocket = $1.21 per item!!  

That's amazing to me!!

I felt my first coupon cringe this evening at the store as well - my daughter wanted some frosted mini wheat's and I only had 1 coupon!  I ended up buying them, but I cringed at spending $3.31 a box!  (See you are cringing while you read this ...huh?) LOL

So had an AMAZING night - as you can see from my picture my stock pile is growing!!

2010 Budget Challenge Update - Week 3

Sorry this is so late and technically we are starting on week 4!

I did go over budget again this time and I am attributing part of that to eating out ($24.03).  Still - I went over budget regardless.

This was a great week though for me - this is the first time I really felt like CVS was clicking for me and I was actually understanding how my ECB's work for me and how little I can come up with out of pocket. As time goes on I will be spending less at CVS.  I am consistantly saving about 50% off my bill each time.  So that's a plus for me!

I am still intimidated by the whole "RR" (register rewards) at Walgreen's.  I will leave that to the PCC until I get more familiar with them.

The Family Budget is set at $100.00

This week I spent $145.67

So I came in over budget by $45.67

Again - can't say it enough - I used to spend $200 weekly at the minumum.  So I am still a ROCK STAR!!

Contacting companies for Coupons does work!

My DH is a huge fan of Right Guard.  He's actually a Right Guard SNOB.

Since starting on this couponing adventure I have asked him if he's willing to be "brand" flexible.  He has pretty much agreed to ANY thing I asked....with the exception of his under arm deodorant.  He only uses Original Right Guard Spray - it can't be Antiperspirant!  It has to be original

Not this:

But this:

After some discussion (and having to spend $4 dollars on 1 can) I decided to try to write to the company.  DH has never EVER used any other deodorant.  I have been with him almost 20 years and as God is my witness he's only used this brand and this scent.

So I decided to email the company after several searches for coupons turn up nothing.  I am doubtful I will hear anything back from the company...but to my surprise....this is what I received the other day:

Dear Mrs.XXXXXX

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
 
We do not maintain a mailing list which allows us to 

distribute coupons on an on-going basis. You can, however,

contact us once every 3 months to request a coupon packet.

The best source for obtaining discount coupons for our

products is through newspaper and magazine advertisements

as well as right on our labels.
 
Your coupon(s) will follow with a hard copy of this letter

via U.S. Mail, which you should receivewithin the next 7-10

business days.
 
Consumer Affairs

HOW FRICKIN AWESOME IS THAT?!?!?!?

So I will blog about what comes in the mail and of course keep my eye out for any coupons from (dial.consumer affairs)

If you have a favorite brand - I would encourage you to seek them out.  You never know what you will get!

Fresh and Easy Coupon

I don't usually post these coupons, but I just received this in my email and thought I would share:

Fresh and Easy Coupon

This is a coupon that expires in a couple of days but you can save 10$ when you spend $50.  Some stores may even let you combine this with the $3 or $5 off coupons as well.  Just depends on the store.

My stockpile is growing....is yours?

My stockpile is growing!  I have several bottles of body soap, shampoo, toothpaste, cleaners etc.  I can't believe how quickly it's growing.  I am having to make new places to store all of this stuff!

I had a great shopping night as CVS last night. 

Got:


2 PLEDGE
3 AXE products
2 VIVE Shampoos
2 RENPURES *1 free!

I took advantage of the RENPURE Organics B1G1 Free.  On the bottles they had a tag for sending in your receipt and you get $6.99 back!  So you are getting the product for FREE!

Swiped my Green Bag towards my $1 ECB **Whoo HOO





That purchase was $36.68

Coupons:
$5.75

ECB's
$13.00

Total OOP : $ 17.97, plus earned another $5 in ECB's

Pretty good!

My second purchase I got:
2 PLEDGE
1 Tube of Crest
VIVE Shampoo

Before coupons: $11.87

Coupons: $3.50
ECB's $5

Total OOP: $3.37

I was very happy.

I did notice on my first purchase when I got home and stockpiled everything and then went through my receipts that I was charged 3 times on my first transaction for the VIVE Shampoo.  Out of pure laziness of not wanting to put everything back in the bag and head back to CVS at 8pm at night, I decided it wasn't worth the $2.99 overcharge.

Lesson learned - I am double checking before I leave the parking lot!!

Also scored some great Creamers at Walgreens and some Sure deoderant.

Too bad hubby doesn't use the roll on stuff.  I have asked him to be brand flexible, but he refused to use anything but Right Guard.  So I will need to be on the look out for those coupons and stock up!  Those cans are almost $4 a piece!  ARGH!

Coupon Pressure.....anyone else feeling it?

Don't get me wrong....I am really enjoying couponing....

But

I feel this pressure.

Do I buy the item now?  Do I wait.

Will it be on sale again - or will a better deal come later and I kick myself for not saving my coupon?

I guess I haven't gone through enough coupon 'cycles' yet to know when the hit or miss factor's are established.

I am hitting up CVS today cause I have a great coupon for Axe and I get 10$ in ECB's back.

I will post that deal later.

Going Shopping!

Just saw this coupon from Confessions Blog and had to share! 

Extra 15% off everything at Khols...check it out!

I'm starting to feel like.....

Couponing is my new BFF!

It's seriously getting addicting....

I was at the Prediatricians office the other day just thumbing through a magazine and I saw a coupon for something.  Now normally I would just pass by this and totally ignore it.

But no = what did I do???  I ripped the whole page out of the magazine!

RIDICULOUS!!!

I have issues....that's all I can say!

Had to have a repeat CVS trip!

Yeah - I did it again....

Totally went to CVS last night to purchase my other 6 (12pks) of soda!  I think we are set for soda for the year!

I purchases 6 (12pks) for $10 (used 10ECB's)
1 bottle of Dawn Dish Detergent for $.96 (used $.50 coupon) so only paid $.46!

I paid a total of $10.54 out of pocket and received back $11 in ECB's...thanks to my Green Bag scan! 

WHOO HOO

Loving this CVS adventure. 

I am going to brave Walgreens tomorrow - just not comfy with the RR - Register Rewards. 

Wish me luck!!

My CVS shopping adventure!!

Had a great shopping adventure today at CVS!!

I spent a total of $18.82 out of pocket today and got some great stuff!

Deal #1

6 (12) packs of Pepsi product purchased (received $10 ECB's)

Coupons Used:
$1 Manufactures Coupon
$4 ECB's
$5 CVS print from iheartcvs - Thank you!

Total $10 out of pocket

Deal #2

1 Clairol Hair Coloring $5.99
2 Airwick iMotions $4.99 each
1 Nivea Body Soap $6.99

Coupon's Used
$4 ECB's
$4 Off Airwick Purchase, paid $.99!
$4 Off Airwick Purchase, paid $.99!
$2 Off Clairol Hair Coloring, paid $3.99
$2 Off Nivea Body Soap, paid $4.99

This transaction cost me $8.82, and I received $2 back in ECB's.

I was very happy about these transactions and I think I will be taking advantage of a few more items this week to build my stock pile.

Good Deal's

Last night at Fresh and Easy I was able to get some great deals on a few items:

Soy Sauce $.75 each, I purchased (2)
Hoisan Sauce $1.25 each, I purchased (2)
Red Hot Sauce $.40 each, I purchased (2)
Tylenol Meltaways $1.15 each , I purchased (2)

All of these items were 50-75% off!

So of course I stocked up!

Check your local Fresh and Easy to see if they have any specials!

2010 Budget Challenge Update - Week 2

Coming to the end of the week I am looking back and reflecting on all the great deals I got!

I did go over budget again, but this week at Smith's they were having their cases sale and I couldn't pass up some of the deals since they only do these a couple of times a year in Vegas.

The great news is that we didn't eat out AT ALL this week!!!  This is unheard of!  We usually eat out all weekend long and at least 1x weekly.  Even after my daughters dance class on friday - we marched home and I made chilli dogs for dinner.  It was quick and easy - definitely cheaper!

Here is what how the money was spent this week:

Big Lots (great bread prices) $7.80
Fresh and Easy (Beg of week) $47.68
Walgreens $11.60
Smiths (1 Case (Tuna) and Jerky)$39.65
CVS (earned a few ECB's) $19.51
Fresh and Easy (great beef prices, stocked up on misc stuff) $ 51.46
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Spent: $177.71

The weekly budget is set at $100 dollars - so you can see how much I went over.

I am not fretting though.

I was able to get some really great deals this week and am watching my stock pile grow.  I am still spending considerably less then I would normally.

I do notice I am stopping more frequently at the store for the fresh items, like fruit and veggies.

But for the most part I feel very confident that I am heading to an even lower grocery bill next week.

Overall this week I was able to save: $60.07 off my bill just by taking some advice from my PCC (Personal Coupon Consultant):

By looking at the sale adds, using coupons whenever possible and being brand flexible, I was able to reduce a hefty amount off my bill.

I am very excited so far and can't wait to look back on these posts in a few months to see how far I have come!

The Plan of Attack for Sunday 1/17 at CVS

If you haven't seen the CVS add yet for Sunday  -  I feel horrible for you!

There are some great deals, not to mention the chance to double your Extra Bucks (4% vs 2%).

The first thing I plan on getting for that day is the Soda special:

6 (12pks) Pepsi products for $20

I know that sounds high - but you get $10 ECB's back!  That's like paying less then $2 bucks a 12 pack!

Plus I have $4 bucks in ECB's and a $1 off at least 4 (12 pks) of Pepsi product.

So technically out of pocket - I will only be paying $15, and getting back $10 ECB's. 

Technically then, I am only paying $.83 cents a 12 pack!  That's an amazing deal!

Especially with our vacation coming up soon - and some of the Holiday's (St. Patty's, Easter).  We will be well stocked up for Soda!!

So Excited!

Have you SEEN the new CVS add that came out today????

SOOOOOO Excited!

Earn 4% back?


Very cool!


Can't wait to comb through the add and plan my attack!

Am I only blogging about Coupons now....?

It does seem this way......and by looking at my last few posts.....yep....I am hooked on the coupon game!!

But I always said I would do this blog as my way to talk about what's going on in my life.....so right now the Coupon thing is very exciting to me!!

My good friend PCA (Personal Coupon Advisor) has brought it to my attention....and I admit, this is what my blog is focused on right now.

The Thomas Family will be going on a big vacation in April and right now we are in hard core Save mode as we don't want to put any of our vacation on a credit card.  Well in order for us to save the cash needed I am becoming a CW - that's Coupon Warrior for most you city folks -

Since we will be driving our vehicle we will need to purchase new tires for it which will be about $900 bucks.   We are going to be gone for at least 2 weeks, staying in motels and eating out.  Not to mention Gas! For just our motels and eating expenses alone I am budgeting at least $1200.  For Gas I am saying no less then $700.  So to be safe our goal is to have at least $2600 in cash while on vacation.

We do have our tax returns coming up, but we don't usually get back as much since we like to have more money throughout the year, instead of getting a bigger check once a year.

That will be at least $1000.

And I still need to save up for medical expenses since at my work my deductable went up from $750 last year to $1050!  I want to get that saved up ASAP so that I already have the money set aside...and if we don't use it all then we will add it to our Christmas fund at the end of the year.

So as you can see we have a lot of money to save up before we go on vacation....which is why these great couponing deals are a must have for me right now.

I think I will though be posting how my budget saving is going.

We did have about $200 saved from the last check for the tires - but....Hubby got sick and we had to take him to the ER....so about $175.00 bucks later...turns out he has Gall stones!  I thank God we had that money set aside or that would have gone on a credit card.  Which is something we aren't using in 2010 either. 

Lot's to do...very little time!

Great night at Walgreens!

I had to stop by Fresh and Easy tonight to get some items for the week and Walgreens was right next door....calling my name....

I had a few coupons (since I can't travel without them now) so I decided to stop in...

I'm happy I did!  I got a couple of sweet deals.

The only thing I didn't have a coupon for was the Charmin Toilet paprer...but it was on sale for $3.99.  I know I know....most of you die-harding-couponers are CrinGing!

But considering the fact that I NEVER used coupons before...I'm not doing too bad.

3 boxes of Kleenex $1.39 each
2 bags of Halls 2/$5
4 bottles of Sunlight Dish $1.99 each
1 6-Roll of Charmin $3.99

The COUPONS:

Kleenex $.79 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 3) - Plus $.50 off any purchase of 3 - SWEET!
Halls $.99 each w/Walgreens coupon (limit 2) - Plus $1.00 off any purchase of 2 - SWEET!
Sunlight $1.99 get 1 free w/Walgreens coupon (limit 4)

So for the Kleenex I paid $.53 cents each!
For the Halls I paid $.49 cents each!
For the Sunlight I paid $.99 cents each...not an awesome deal - but I will take it.

I saved about $12 dollars over all and only paid $11.82.  So I knocked 50% off my bill.....


WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS!!!

I could have saved TONS of money - and gone on some awesome Vacations....

Well - I have been shown the light!

CVS ....am I really saving any money??

I think I am getting the hang of this......sort of

I feel like I am having to retrain my mind on this CVS shopping experience.  What I have taught myself over the past 17 years of shopping is that I have to get enough groceries to last me 2 weeks.

In reality - if this CVS, ECB's thing is going to work, I am definitely going to have to throw that out the window!!  I am stuck....

I am having a hard time passing up some pretty decent deals (no ECB reawards), and then feeling guilty for not saving the coupon because next week there could be a ECB attached to the thing!!

Is this normal???

This GUILT???

I am going to list out my purchases now......I think my PCA (Personal Coupon Advisor) is not going to be happy:

1st Transaction

** Green Bag Reward - HOLLA**
1 Fiber One Bar (2 boxes) $6.99
1 Honey Nut Cheerios (2 boxes) $7.99
1 Bx Kleenex $1.89
1 Bx Kleenex $1.89
1 Bx Kleenex $1.89

Coupon's Used:

40c/1 box of Fiber One
40c/1 box of Fiber One
$1/1 box of Honey Nut Cheerios
$1/1 box of Honey Nut Cheerios
ECB used $4.00

Saved $6.80, total purchase $14.31
Earned $7.00 ECB's!

Not too bad.

Now I was under the impression that CVS accepts other competitors coupons ( like Walgreens), but apparently they don't!  So this kind of messed up my next deal but I still didn't do too bad.

2nd Transaction:
**Cashier said only 1 scan of the Green Bag a day!  NO FAIR**

4 Cans Campbells Ready to Eat Soup 2 for $3
1 32cnt Bayer Aspirin $1.99
1 32cnt (plus a free one!) $1.99
1 Loreal Everpure Shampoo $5.99
1 Bag Halls $2.69
1 Bag Halls $2.69 (this is where my deal messed up, Walgreens had these on sale for .99c each!)

Coupon's Used
.50c off 1 Can Campbells Soup
.50c off 1 Can Campbells Soup
.50c off 1 Can Campbells Soup
.50c off 1 Can Campbells Soup
$1/1 Bayer 24 Cnt or Higher
$1/1 Bayer 24 Cnt or Higher
$1/ 2 Bags Halls
$2/1 Bottle Loreal Shampoo
$3.00 ECB's Used

Saved $15.36, $10 in Coupons used

No ECB's Earned, but still have $4 remaining from previous purchase.

So this is my dilema.  I couldn't pass up the Bayer since I was technically only paying .99c for each bottle.  To me that's a pretty good deal.

I am still trying to figure out all the tricks and so far am determined to get better at this.

I think I need to start breaking up my purchases more and get used to maybe going to CVS daily VS my previous mind set of stocking up on every good deal now.

I do have a regret....I wish I had more of those OUST! Coupons!  That was such a GOOD DEAL!!

I am drooling over those ECB's!

Albertson's Deals

I had a great day at Albertsons!  'Pinch this, Stretch That' would be proud!!

I went to Smith's first because they are having their cases sale.  I got the Hormel Chili w/beans for $10.56 (12 cans) - that's 88cents a can! Plus the Kroger Tomato Sauce for $5.99 (24 cans) - that's 24cents a can!

I did splurge -- but it was on something I was going to buy anyway --.  We purchased the "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" movie for $19.99  BUT I received $3.00 off for spending at least $30.00.

All in all - I spent $33.54 (not too bad)

Now my Albertson's was much better!!

I specifically went for the deal on Progressive Soup and the Cereal Deal.

Add had .99c cans of Progressive Soup with a 10$ purchase ( limit 4 cans).  I had 2 coupons that Albertson's honored:

Buy 3 cans of Progressive Soup - Coupon Amount: $1.10
Buy 2 cans of Progressive Soup - Coupon Amount: .50c

With this deal I was able to get 4 cans (max purchase):
4 cans at .99c each = $3.96
1st coupon - $1.10 = $2.86
2nd coupon -.50c   = $2.36
coupon doubled      = $1.86

So for 4 cans of soup I paid .46c per can!  For a soup that normally costs $2.49 each!  GREAT DEAL!! Check out the Alberston's Deals Blog Here

For the Cereal deal - I was a little bummed because I didn't read 2 of my coupons correctly and I couldn't use them.  But over all ..I didn't do too bad.

The deal Albertson's was offering was 2 for $4 on General Mills cereals.  The kids picked out their fav's (Cocoa Puffs and Cinnamon Toast Crunch).

I had a coupon for $1 off on Coco Puffs but I mistakenly grabbed the wrong one for the Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

I purchased 4 boxes of cereal ( 2 each of each kind).

For the Cocoa Puffs I received $1 off - so I only paid $1.50 each ( not horrible)

But I did pay full price for the other.

So you can see I made 2 Rookie mistakes by not reading my coupons correctly.

Not that I am blaming them, but I did have the kids with me so my concentration wasn't 100 %.  I know now that I need to leave them at home until I get more familiar with the coupon game.  I find this challenging and wish I had more time to commit to it.  I am enjoying some of the deals I am finding...and am already combing through my new CVS add!

This lady is amazing!  Here's her book:

2010 Budget Challenge - Week 1

So for my first week in the 2010 Budget Challenge I didn't do too badly.

The budget consists of $25.00 per person.  So I have a $100.00 weekly for my family of 4.

This week I had some learning challenges with CVS, but I think I am starting to get the hang of it!  I will be heading out to Albertsons today to see what deals I can get there.

Here is a snap shot of my money spent so far:

CVS: $96.41 (this does include the big mistake of the $74 purchase)

Eating out: $5.81 (I was starving!)
Fresh and Easy: $29.45
-----------------------------
$114.53

I know I am already over budget and I still need to pick up a few items today.  But for the most part, on average I was spending about $250 a week on groceries and eating out.  This week we didn't eat out once!  I had to on Wednesday night because I work late and everyone else had already ate and was at church.  But I got a kids meal and didn't eat the whole thing...Walt finished it for me.  So technically that's a savings since it fed 2 people!

I am going to try preparing some items ahead....since I killed myself this week to make dinner every night and we were practically eating before bed time.  That made me crazy!

Here's a neat book I saw on Amazon!

So...I'm Kinda starting to have a crush on CVS

I am starting to develop a crush on CVS.

There I said it.

My first day with trying to understand the CVS Extra Bucks (or store credit) was a hot mess. I had a complete miss understanding of how these thingy's worked.

I had a brief training session with my PCC (Personal Coupon Consultant - miss " Pinch this, Stretch that") the next day and was informed of my many errors.

I didn't realize I could break up purchases ( and the gals at CVS are sweet to do so!).

To start your EBC's look at the CVS Store add and pick out a few of the items that have a great ECB return.

Since I made so many purchases my first day I had about...12 ECB's to spend towards my next purchases.

So my PCC tells me to get my Oust! Coupons out and get my butt to CVS. I take the deal of buy 1 get 1 free and I get 6 ECB's for doing that! And I have 2 coupons for the Oust! ....so you know that means I get another 12 ECB's!

I am way excited.....

I end up breaking my purchases into 2 seperate transactions.

1. Transaction:
*Buy 1 Get 1 Free OUST! (2 bottles)
*1 bottle of Loreal's new Shampoo (on sale for 6.99 and I had a 2$ coupon)
*1 GE Energy Light Bulb on sale for 99 cents
This transaction before my coupons and ECB's was 23$. I paid $8.42 and earned another 6 bucks of ECB's

2. Transaction:
*Buy 1 Get 1 Free OUST! (2 bottles)
*1 Rimmel Mascara - 75% off
*Eyeliner sharpener - 75% off
*5 Rimmel eyeshadows - 75% off
*Revlon Lipgloss - 75% off
This transaction before my coupons and ECB's was 75$. I paid $8.82 and earned another 6 bucks of ECB's. The reason I saved so much is my make up purchases were less then 1.50$ each. WHAT A DEAL!!

So YES - CVS

I will be visiting you again.....I have a feeling our relationship is just starting!

I'm not loving CVS

Okay so I am trying to start this new project this year.

We as a family are not going to purchase any items unless we have a coupon for it! It's going to be a strange challenge. Definitely going WAY out of our comfort zone being in the " I want it now, got to have the newest things" generation.

I have been encouraged by a friends blog http://pinchthisstretchthat.blogspot.com/. She's got some amazing tips and tricks and I find great advice there.

Well tonight I think I was over zealous and highly ambitious thinking I was going to conquer CVS and take advantage of these ECB's!

How come I walked out of CVS spending $74 dollars and using $14 dollars in coupons? I got a bunch of these "extra bucks" on my receipt that printed out. But I didn't get to enjoy these dollars on this purchase! So apparently I am not learning anything about how to enjoy this "free" money.

Now I have these $12 in ECB's...but what do I do with them?

The only happy purchase I got tonight was my laundry detergent. I purchased 3 (32 load) bottles of All. CVS had them on sale for $3.99 each. I had a $1.00 off coupon plus a $3.00 off coupon with the purchase of 2. So I basically paid $2.99 each for these 3 bottles of detergent. I am tempted to get more since that will be an easy item for me to stock pile up.

I am not giving up....but am determined to learn about this great ECB mystery!

Chickens are annoying sometimes

Today was the first time I considered making some home made fried
chicken!
We got 8 baby chickens in September if 2009 and they have been pretty
awesome so far. Lately we have been letting them wonder about the yard.
Well today I was going out to give the chickens some salad left overs
and one of the rhode island reds is up on my brand new patio racing
towards me.
At first I think this is adorable! Then I realize .... Oh he after
the food. And then the little bastards does the unthinkable. He
stops mid strut , looks right into my eyes, and proceeds to drop a
hot , steamy pile of chicken pooh a few inches from my foot!! It was
so gross!!!!!
Now I have to figure out how to keep chickens off my patio!
TTFN!
Sent from my iPhone