Now that March is finally winding down, I can report the end results of the stockpile challenge I joined. I am quite pleased with the results! Here is a breakdown of this month's spending...
Stamps & purchased coupons
Total spent: $17.71
Extra papers purchased through N&O delivery
Total spent: $27.00
CVS & Miscellaneous Store Spending (EarthFare, Kohl's)
Total spent: $25.36
Total saved: $141.03
Rite Aid Spending
Total spent: $10.44
Total saved: $22.00
Walgreen's Spending
Total spent: $20.86
Total saved: $35.94
Harris Teeter Spending
Total spent: $72.14
Total saved: $658.33 (thank you triples!)
Food Lion Spending
Total spent: $42.66
Total saved: $91.26
Kroger Spending
Total spent: $75.20
Total saved: $485.92 (thanks to mega event!)
Lowe's Foods Spending
Total spent: $63.39
Total saved: $151.57
Target Spending
Total spent: $70.35
Total saved: $51.33
All totaled, our grocery & household expenses were $380.40 for over $2000 worth of groceries and household items. We spent an additional $44.71 in newspapers, stamps and coupon clipping services fees bringing total month expenses to $425.11.
We received $135 in rebates throughout the month and another $40 in a cash gift. Deducting these amounts from total spend, our actual out-of-pocket expenses turned out to be $250.11!
$250.11 is nearly $100 less than what I originally planned on spending this month so I am one happy camper.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Spicy Savings!
We are about to be overcome by all things spice in our home thanks to a great catalina deal going on now that is perfectly synergized with Harris Teeter triples week and a Lowe's Food special on McCormick grinders! This will only work as a moneymaker if you're one of the lucky folks who live in regions that received a .75/1 coupon in your Sunday inserts- and you purchased multiple copies.
The way I've worked it is to buy 3 spices at a time priced $2.25 and under at Harris Teeter or the sale grinders ringing up at $1.50 each at Lowe's Foods. Use a .75/1 insert coupon for each spice purchased. When you do so, you'll wind up just paying tax on your items AND getting a $2.50 off your next order Catalina printed out at the register.
One helpful tip before checking out: Always make sure the Catalina machine at your register is working! Don't be embarrassed to ask the cashier and/or lean over to see if there's any blinking or red lights up- this is a clear sign that things are amiss.
The way I've worked it is to buy 3 spices at a time priced $2.25 and under at Harris Teeter or the sale grinders ringing up at $1.50 each at Lowe's Foods. Use a .75/1 insert coupon for each spice purchased. When you do so, you'll wind up just paying tax on your items AND getting a $2.50 off your next order Catalina printed out at the register.
One helpful tip before checking out: Always make sure the Catalina machine at your register is working! Don't be embarrassed to ask the cashier and/or lean over to see if there's any blinking or red lights up- this is a clear sign that things are amiss.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Harris Teeter Triples - Day 1
Alright, braved HT first thing in the morning and here's the rundown. I split my purchase into 3 separate transactions to make the most of the McCormick Catalina deal that's going on right now.
Transaction #1:
3 McCormick parsley flakes - FREE after .75/1 insert q's
2 boxes of Barilla Piccolini pasta - FREE after .50/1 insert q's
Total spent: .07
Total saved $7.77
Received $2.50 OYNO Catalina
Transaction #2:
2 bottles of Newman's Own Organic Low Fat Asian Dressing - FREE after .75/1 tearpad q's
1 bottle of Coke Zero (20 oz) - FREE after tearpad q
3 McCormick chili powders - FREE after .75/1 insert q's
2 boxes of Barilla Piccolini pasta - FREE after .50/1 insert q's
Total spent: .14
Total saved: $18.14
Received $2.50 OYNO Catalina
Transaction #3:
2 bottles of Newman's Own Organic Low Fat Asian Dressing - FREE after .75/1 tearpad q's
3 McCormick Cinnamons - FREE after .75/1 insert q's
2 boxes of Barilla Piccolini pasta - FREE after .50/1 insert q's
Total spent: .10
Total saved: $16.65
Received $2.50 OYNO Catalina
In total, I spent 31 cents on $42.69 worth of groceries AND have $7.50 to spend during my next go rounds at Harris Teeter. Sweet!
Have you made a trip to the HT yet for triples? What were your finds?
Transaction #1:
3 McCormick parsley flakes - FREE after .75/1 insert q's
2 boxes of Barilla Piccolini pasta - FREE after .50/1 insert q's
Total spent: .07
Total saved $7.77
Received $2.50 OYNO Catalina
Transaction #2:
2 bottles of Newman's Own Organic Low Fat Asian Dressing - FREE after .75/1 tearpad q's
1 bottle of Coke Zero (20 oz) - FREE after tearpad q
3 McCormick chili powders - FREE after .75/1 insert q's
2 boxes of Barilla Piccolini pasta - FREE after .50/1 insert q's
Total spent: .14
Total saved: $18.14
Received $2.50 OYNO Catalina
Transaction #3:
2 bottles of Newman's Own Organic Low Fat Asian Dressing - FREE after .75/1 tearpad q's
3 McCormick Cinnamons - FREE after .75/1 insert q's
2 boxes of Barilla Piccolini pasta - FREE after .50/1 insert q's
Total spent: .10
Total saved: $16.65
Received $2.50 OYNO Catalina
In total, I spent 31 cents on $42.69 worth of groceries AND have $7.50 to spend during my next go rounds at Harris Teeter. Sweet!
Have you made a trip to the HT yet for triples? What were your finds?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Kroger Mega Madness!
Kroger Mega sales can be quite the godsend when it comes to stockpiling and this March Madness event has been no exception! I've lucked into some great .50/1 Coke Zero coupons which have made for moneymaking 2 liters and I made a smart trade for a bunch of B10G5 Powerade coupons so looks like our garage will be filled up with our favorite beverages!
In a trip last night, I filled my cart with the following items:
15 bottles of Powerade Zero - used B10G5 to take $4.95 off the order
9 two liter bottles of Coke Zero - used .50/1 tearpad q's to make them each 30 cent mm's!
8 bottles of Shamrock Farms Rockin Refuel protein drinks - used .50/1 to make them freebies
12 Snickers bars - used .50/2 insert q's to make them freebies
The Mega Event takes $4 off your order for every 8 qualifying event items (the powerades and cokes were qualifying items).
Total spent: 43 cents!
Total saved: $57.67
With a triples event looming on the horizon from Harris Teeter, can we get any more spoiled here???
In a trip last night, I filled my cart with the following items:
15 bottles of Powerade Zero - used B10G5 to take $4.95 off the order
9 two liter bottles of Coke Zero - used .50/1 tearpad q's to make them each 30 cent mm's!
8 bottles of Shamrock Farms Rockin Refuel protein drinks - used .50/1 to make them freebies
12 Snickers bars - used .50/2 insert q's to make them freebies
The Mega Event takes $4 off your order for every 8 qualifying event items (the powerades and cokes were qualifying items).
Total spent: 43 cents!
Total saved: $57.67
With a triples event looming on the horizon from Harris Teeter, can we get any more spoiled here???
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Harris Teeter Triples week of 3/24- confirmed!
Get those binders ready folks because Harris Teeter will be having a triples event next week! Details on sales fliers aren't typically posted to couponers boards until Tuesday morning of each week but you can still get prepared. My two favorite couponers boards have already started discussion threads on your best bets for freebies and cheapies. You can check out A Full Cup's discussion here or Hot Coupon World's thread here.
So far, I'm most excited about the free Shamrock Farms Rockin Refuel milk drinks. I've kept these coupons handy in the hopes for triples.
I'm sure more helpful match-ups will be posted throughout the weekend!
So far, I'm most excited about the free Shamrock Farms Rockin Refuel milk drinks. I've kept these coupons handy in the hopes for triples.
I'm sure more helpful match-ups will be posted throughout the weekend!
Monday, March 15, 2010
1 lb of Strawberries for $1 @ Target
I'm not sure if this is nationwide or not, but at my nearby Super Target they have 1 lb of strawberries for $1- which is a ridiculously great deal! Call before making the trip. My store was out when I made a morning trip. I called in the early afternoon and they had just gotten another truck in an hour before I made the call. I ran back out and there were only about a dozen left so they are going fast!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Free Kellogg's Cereals at Harris Teeter- TODAY 3/10 ONLY
Two great deals are going on right now for Kellogg's cereals and they will only work today (one started today, the other ends today). You'll need .70/1 Kellogg's blinkies that you can find at Food Lion and Kroger (these will begin with 5 so they'll double). These blinkies are for Corn Pops, Apple Jacks and Froot Loops only. Buy 5 boxes (mix and match) of the 12.5 ounce versions of these and you'll end up with a 5 cent moneymaker!
How it works:
You buy 5 boxes at $3.19 each ($15.95 total for all 5)
Use 5 .70/1 blinkies to get $7 off your order
Get $5.00 off your total order for buying 5 boxes
You'll then pay $3.95 out of pocket (not including tax) and get a $4 Off Your Next Order Catalina!
How it works:
You buy 5 boxes at $3.19 each ($15.95 total for all 5)
Use 5 .70/1 blinkies to get $7 off your order
Get $5.00 off your total order for buying 5 boxes
You'll then pay $3.95 out of pocket (not including tax) and get a $4 Off Your Next Order Catalina!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
KMart Super Doubles Week of 4/04
I don't think I've shopped KMart in years but may make the trip for this...
They will doubling coupons up to $2 the week of 4/04 so mark your calendars. It's been confirmed that all North Carolina stores will be participating (if you're in another state, email customer service at Kmart.com to confirm participation and what the rules are- they vary by region).
North Carolina rules are as follows:
- They will double up to five coupons per customer per day
- No store loyalty card is required (some states require you participate in their loyalty card program and they use this also to presumably police the 5 per day rule- I've read that each member of your household can have a card assigned to them though)
I'm not sure how NC stores will enforce the 5 per day rule and I'm also not sure how worth the trip will be for a 5 coupon limit. Heck, I'm not even sure what my nearby KMart carries- I may need to check it out to see what grocery items they have.
If you have a bevy of $2 coupons, this could be worth the trip as you'll get $4 off per coupon. This should make for several potential freebies and great cheapies for pet lovers on their food of choice.
Do you plan on making a trip for this event?
They will doubling coupons up to $2 the week of 4/04 so mark your calendars. It's been confirmed that all North Carolina stores will be participating (if you're in another state, email customer service at Kmart.com to confirm participation and what the rules are- they vary by region).
North Carolina rules are as follows:
- They will double up to five coupons per customer per day
- No store loyalty card is required (some states require you participate in their loyalty card program and they use this also to presumably police the 5 per day rule- I've read that each member of your household can have a card assigned to them though)
I'm not sure how NC stores will enforce the 5 per day rule and I'm also not sure how worth the trip will be for a 5 coupon limit. Heck, I'm not even sure what my nearby KMart carries- I may need to check it out to see what grocery items they have.
If you have a bevy of $2 coupons, this could be worth the trip as you'll get $4 off per coupon. This should make for several potential freebies and great cheapies for pet lovers on their food of choice.
Do you plan on making a trip for this event?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March Stockpile Challenge - Week 1
I've joined a "live off your stockpile" challenge on HCW for March. The challenge is to use as much out of your stockpile and spend as little out of pocket as possible. After thinking about it more and seeing our February spending (which was a little over $400), I decided to up our goal spend from $200 to $350. I felt this was a more realistic goal.
Our first week has gone very well overall!
Total spent: $82.13
Total saved: $191.68 or 70%
Thanks to rules of the challenge allowing for deducting rebates & cash gifts in our total, our actual out-of-pocket spend was $29.28. I think that's a great start!
Here's a breakdown:
Kohl's
Total before sales and coupons: $40.00
Total spent: $0
Total saved: $40.00 or 100%
Thanks to an act of kindness by a faraway relative, we have two cute new outfits for Stellie to sport in the spring.
Walgreen's
Total before sales and coupons: $37.33
Total spent: $1.39
Total saved: $35.94 or 96%
Free Purex deal was wonderful! I'd go back out for more but it was such a hassle the first time, I think I'll just count myself lucky and leave it at this.
Harris Teeter
Total before sales and coupons: $17.27
Total spent: $2.08
Total saved $15.19 or 88%
Used lots of FREE coupons I had received in recent train envies.
Food Lion
Total before sales and coupons: $5.54
Total spent: $1.50
Total saved: 73%
Tried to score 6 free candies with B1G1 tearpads I had lucked into but it didn't work. Cashier rung these in at the half price they wound up ringing up for due to their B1G1 sale.
Kroger
Total before sales and coupons: $59.71
Total spent: $23.56
Total saved: $36.15 or 61%
Lots of produce and fresh fruit, as well as some drumsticks for tonight's dinner.
Lowe's Foods
Total before sales and coupons: $44.83
Total spent: $9.50
Total saved: $35.33 or 79%
Still stocking up on free Trident Layers after coupons.
Super Target
Total before sales and coupons: $69.13
Total spent: $44.10
Total saved: $25.03 or 36%
Maybe I need to steer clear of Target. Tried for some freebies but couldn't find lots of the corresponding items. I stuck with what we needed- Clif Bars (no coupons for these unfortunately) and various other grocery/household items.
Our first week has gone very well overall!
Total spent: $82.13
Total saved: $191.68 or 70%
Thanks to rules of the challenge allowing for deducting rebates & cash gifts in our total, our actual out-of-pocket spend was $29.28. I think that's a great start!
Here's a breakdown:
Kohl's
Total before sales and coupons: $40.00
Total spent: $0
Total saved: $40.00 or 100%
Thanks to an act of kindness by a faraway relative, we have two cute new outfits for Stellie to sport in the spring.
Walgreen's
Total before sales and coupons: $37.33
Total spent: $1.39
Total saved: $35.94 or 96%
Free Purex deal was wonderful! I'd go back out for more but it was such a hassle the first time, I think I'll just count myself lucky and leave it at this.
Harris Teeter
Total before sales and coupons: $17.27
Total spent: $2.08
Total saved $15.19 or 88%
Used lots of FREE coupons I had received in recent train envies.
Food Lion
Total before sales and coupons: $5.54
Total spent: $1.50
Total saved: 73%
Tried to score 6 free candies with B1G1 tearpads I had lucked into but it didn't work. Cashier rung these in at the half price they wound up ringing up for due to their B1G1 sale.
Kroger
Total before sales and coupons: $59.71
Total spent: $23.56
Total saved: $36.15 or 61%
Lots of produce and fresh fruit, as well as some drumsticks for tonight's dinner.
Lowe's Foods
Total before sales and coupons: $44.83
Total spent: $9.50
Total saved: $35.33 or 79%
Still stocking up on free Trident Layers after coupons.
Super Target
Total before sales and coupons: $69.13
Total spent: $44.10
Total saved: $25.03 or 36%
Maybe I need to steer clear of Target. Tried for some freebies but couldn't find lots of the corresponding items. I stuck with what we needed- Clif Bars (no coupons for these unfortunately) and various other grocery/household items.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Kindness of Others
I believe in Karma...and likewise, I also am a firm believer in Coupon Karma. I've often come into good fortune shortly after practicing random acts of kindness- whether it be on a coupon shoppers board like HCW by offering up a RAOK envelope of coupons, passing along some goodies to others in grocery stores or dropping off food donations at a food bank.
When I have my coupon binder with me while shopping, I'll frequently hand out a coupon to another shopper who I see has one of my coupon items. Or I'll give a cashier who seems pleased by a deal I find an extra or two of the coupon that makes a good freebie or cheapie that they could use later to get the same great deal. Over the past couple of weeks, I've done this quite frequently- most recently handing out the last several of my $2 off 1 yokids coupons to other Target shoppers looking at kids yogurts.
Later that day, my mother-in-law passed along two $10 Kohl's cash certificates she had received from one of her sisters while in Colorado. I like to think coupon Karma had something to do with this...I turned the two cash certificates into this:
Two cute spring outfits for Stella! Neither cost a penny after the Kohl's certificates. We have lots of hand-me-downs for her from her big sisters but none smaller than a 3T so I knew we'd need to be spending money on spring clothes that would fit her and soon. Well, hopefully soon- I am so ready for Spring!
What a wonderful way to start the week. Be generous and you'll be surprised by the acts of generosity that will come back your way!
When I have my coupon binder with me while shopping, I'll frequently hand out a coupon to another shopper who I see has one of my coupon items. Or I'll give a cashier who seems pleased by a deal I find an extra or two of the coupon that makes a good freebie or cheapie that they could use later to get the same great deal. Over the past couple of weeks, I've done this quite frequently- most recently handing out the last several of my $2 off 1 yokids coupons to other Target shoppers looking at kids yogurts.
Later that day, my mother-in-law passed along two $10 Kohl's cash certificates she had received from one of her sisters while in Colorado. I like to think coupon Karma had something to do with this...I turned the two cash certificates into this:
Two cute spring outfits for Stella! Neither cost a penny after the Kohl's certificates. We have lots of hand-me-downs for her from her big sisters but none smaller than a 3T so I knew we'd need to be spending money on spring clothes that would fit her and soon. Well, hopefully soon- I am so ready for Spring!What a wonderful way to start the week. Be generous and you'll be surprised by the acts of generosity that will come back your way!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Free Purex @ Walgreen's - YMMV!
Discovered this *HOT* unadvertised deal on an HCW thread and wanted to share. There is a month-long unadvertised B1G1 deal on Purex Liquid Laundry Detergents. If you have any of the B1G1 insert q's, these will mean free Purex at your nearby Walgreen's. Keep in mind these q's expire on 3/06 so you only have a few days to get this deal!
YMMV means "Your Mileage May Vary." Some Walgreen's may not accept B1G1 coupons on
B1G1 sales or you may just run into a difficult cashier. Always ask to speak to a manager if you have an issue with coupon redemption. If the manager refuses to accept the coupon, you can simply have them void out the transaction and leave. You can then try your luck elsewhere or just give up on the deal depending on your level of patience and tenacity.
I went to my closest Wags this morning and should have just turned around when I saw that the cashier was someone who has routinely had issues with my coupons (especially when I'm buying freebies after coupons) but I figured I'd give it a try anyway. The manager on duty seemed completely confused by the entire idea and was about to call in to another manager there when I waved my white flag and left. I decided to try my luck at another location and had absolutely zero difficulty with the transaction- no questions, no attitude whatsoever.
I wound up paying $1.39 total for six 50 ounce jugs of Purex Free & Clear- enough for 192 loads of laundry!
YMMV means "Your Mileage May Vary." Some Walgreen's may not accept B1G1 coupons on
B1G1 sales or you may just run into a difficult cashier. Always ask to speak to a manager if you have an issue with coupon redemption. If the manager refuses to accept the coupon, you can simply have them void out the transaction and leave. You can then try your luck elsewhere or just give up on the deal depending on your level of patience and tenacity.
I went to my closest Wags this morning and should have just turned around when I saw that the cashier was someone who has routinely had issues with my coupons (especially when I'm buying freebies after coupons) but I figured I'd give it a try anyway. The manager on duty seemed completely confused by the entire idea and was about to call in to another manager there when I waved my white flag and left. I decided to try my luck at another location and had absolutely zero difficulty with the transaction- no questions, no attitude whatsoever.
I wound up paying $1.39 total for six 50 ounce jugs of Purex Free & Clear- enough for 192 loads of laundry!
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