6/15 Schnucks

Missed a post from last night.

3 Nequik syrup $1.00 - .50 q. Paid 1.50 for all.
4 Weber Grill Creation on sale for .50 used .35 q. Paid .60 for all 4.
5 Beech Nut baby food @ 1.99 used $1.50.

Total oop $3.10.

6/17 CVS

1 Olay Daily Facial @ 5.99 - $1 (Q didn't get used) going toward b20g10ecb
2 Oral B refill for Cross Action toothbrush @ 5.99 each, used b1g1 Q. Earned 3x2 ecb
1 Almay mascara @ 6.99. Used $2 off cvs q and $1 off q. Earned 5 ecb. (Profit)
1 CVS nail polish remover @ 1.69
2 Smart Water @ $1.00 each, used $1 off 2 Q.
2 Sally Hansen Nail Polish @ 2.39 B1G1 50%.
2 Sally Hansen Nail Pens @ $7.99. Used $3.00 wyb $10. I wasn't thinking as I had 2 of these q's to use and got my Sally total up to $20 (with the other nail polish).
1 M&M to go towards b10g5ecb deal.
1 reinventing beauty magazine @ .99 but I guess it is a freebie. Has CVS q's inside of it. Makes up for the $1 off Olay q that didn't get scanned.

Used 2 $5 off $25 (my total was $50.78), 7 ecb, 12.99 in other q's. Paid the horrifying price of $22.87 oop and got back $26 ecb. Net cost $3.87, should have been net profit... but I can't complain. I'd pay 3.87 for the stuff in picture... wouldn't pay $50 though!!

CVS and Schnucks

Did two transactions back to back. Picture has everything I bought.

1st transaction
3 Sally Hansen Quick Pens @ 7.99 each, get 5 ecb back - Used 2 Q's $3 off 10
2 Revlon emory boards b1g1 - Used 2 $1 off tool Q
Used 5 off 25 and 11.99 ecb
Paid 1.60 oop earned 15 ecb

2nd transaction
2 Head and Shoulders family size @5.99, earned 2 ecb. Used B1G1 coupon to get 2 for 3.99.
1 Almay mascara @ 6.99, earned 5 ecb. Used $1 off
1 Skittles no coupons goes towards b$10 get 5ecb deal.
6 Reeses - Had to keep throwing candy up on counter because I had big $15ecb that I was using to pay.
4 Kit Kat (1 got ate by daughter before pic)
Used 5 off 25 and 15 ecb
Paid $0.64 and earned 7 ecb

While at Schnuck's on one of my trips this weekend, I came across a table that had been set up for a taste testing event. Left on the table was a stack of forms to get a $5 rebate in the form of a Schnuck's gift card wyb 10 pictured items. Products had to be purchased all at the same time and by 6/17/08. I knew some of the items were on sale so I ran in and bought what I had coupons for.
6 Cascadian Farms granola bars @ 2.50 - used 6 $1 off.
3 Hamburger Helper singles @ $1.00 no coupons
1 Cheerios snack mix @ 2.00 - used $1 off.
4 Diet Sierra Mist - used 2 b1g1 Q's that expired today. First 3 items (10 total) will fulfill the rebate requirements. I also used my 3 $4 coupons that I earned this weekend buying dog treats.
Total was $25.92 - $21.96 Q's + tax = 4.37 oop. Will get back $5 gift card. Net Profit $0.63!!

6/14 CVS and Schnucks.... again.

I feel like I have been shopping all day...no let me say all week long!

The Purina deal is too good for me to pass up, so back I went this evening after spending the better part of my early evening at the mall. I hate the mall, but tonight it wasn't too bad. Broke down and got a few things for me, intention was to only shop for my daughter. Went to JCP and got a bunch of stuff. $366.91 worth of stuff to be exact but I had coupons, of course and only spent $164.63. I got 2 shirts, 2 capris, 6 socks and 4 bras. DD got 4 pairs pants, 5 shirts, 6 socks and 1 bracelet. I didn't take any pictures.

Schnuck's is repeat of this mornings deals. Some of the dog food had $2.00 Q's inside the bag and I wanted to buy the rest if possible since it is on clearance. I got another 4 bags of Purina TBonz, 1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream to go with strawberries from this morning, and 1 pkg of hot dogs to go with homemade Brat's courtesy of a coworker.
Total $23.64 - $16 Q's + tax = 8.98 oop, got back $4 catalina. Net cost $4.98. I did roll one of the cats with this deal since I didn't have Q's for buns or ice cream. Deal still worked.



CVS

2 CVS 8pk of paper towels @4.49
2 Gold Emblem candy
1 CVS bandage free after ecb
3 pks of Orbit gum (counts towards buy $10 get 5 ecb candy deal) I needed 6 more dollars and didn't want any other candy. The GE candy I had $1 off 2 which made them .33 and I needed them as filler in order to use 5 off $25.
1 Coppertone sunscreen earns 2 ecb.

Total $26.22 - 9 Q's + tax = 17.31. Paid 16 ecb and $1.31 OOP, got back 8.99 ecb. Net cost $8.32, less than the cost of the paper towels.

Now I need to get ready for tomorrow. I love Sunday! All the new ads and coupons come out. My job is never done.

New pictures of stock by request

I installed the shelves by the dryer this afternoon. I had added the other shelves under the cabinet several months ago, intending to add these soon after. They aren't perfect but I did the best with what was available at Lowe's and that did not have to be cut down. I'm limited on my home improvement skills!

Also included is a pic of my pie safe filled with Pasta Salad and Popcorn. Note the hole in the wall thanks to Daisy the sheepdog. I think I mentioned I'm not too good at home improvement. This is one project I haven't attempted to do and now I don't even notice it, I've put it off so long. My daughter caught it when previewing the blog.




















The stack of sodas keeps growing.























Aluminum foil x 13, kitchen bags, dishwasher detergent, toothpaste.


















All the cereal (22 boxes), fruit snacks (15 boxes), granola bars - only 5 boxes.

6/14/08 Walmart and Schnuck's

Ran to Walmart to get new mouse for laptop. USB broke a few weeks ago and I have been using a corded mouse which was also tiny... not fun. I'm only showing food purchase as other things were clothing not purchased with coupons.
1 Digiorno Ultimate Focaccia 5.98 - 1.00.
2 Bertolli Pasta and Sauce (these are really good) @ 4.98 each - 2.50 coupon = 2.48 each
2# grapes for 3.03.
Total $18.97 for 12.97 saved 31%.

1st stop at Schnucks
5 bags (22.5 pounds) of Purina Fit and Trim Dog Food after Q's $1.34 each
3 bags (12 pounds) of The Goodlife Recipe after Q's $1.81 each.
Subtotal 32.5 pounds food for Daisy and Delilah that cost $12.13. I'm making my own blend with the 2 bags I bought last night. My dogs won't care, they'll eat anything including unmentionable stuff!
4 pkg Busy Bones $4 after Q's - earned $4 OYNO so I count that as FREE! I did not try rolling the catalina. I'd rather pay for the bones and use the cat's on meat and produce later.
1 pkg Wholly Guacomole $2.50 -1.00
2# Strawberries $4.50
1 bag Ore-Ida Crispy Crowns to dip into Guac.... DD had some mexican nachos made with tater tots recently and they looked quite good. Brought back memories of my first job at 'The Hand Out' in The Dalles, Oregon. My favorite thing to eat on my lunch/dinner break were tater tots dipped in Guacamole.

Total $47.57 - $23 Q's + tax = 27.04 oop. Got back $4 oyno. Saved 51%

2nd trip to Schnuck's

4 Purina TBonz @ 2.29 each.
Used 1.50 Q's on each and got $4 oyno
$3.80 oop, Profit $0.20

Will do again later this afternoon.

If you're keeping track... I know I am...

Schnucks 2 day total
$82.12 for $38.07 and I got back $12 to use later.
Net cost $26.07. Saved 68%

6/13/08 CVS, Wags, CVS, Wags, Schnucks

CVS
3 Biore Products @ 7.49. Used $3 Q's, earned 10 ecb. This purchase can be used for the free purse ($86 value) that Glamour magazine is promoting filled with "summer essentials".
1 Excedrin $9.99- had 3 off CVS coupon as well 2 off MQ. Earned 3 ecb, final cost 1.99.
Missing from picture is Dove Dark Chocolate bar that I had to add to get = number of Q and products so CVS Q wouldn't beep. This was a store I had not been to before and is in an older part of town. Cashier looked at every single coupon like I was doing something wrong, although she was very coupon friendly. I would assume that the store has a higher loss than others in town so I'm sure she was just being more careful.
Total $32.96, used $13 Q, 8 ecb paid $13.08 (OH MY GOSH!) and got back 13 ecb. Net cost $8.08. Not great but I'll use the products and hopefully get the free purse. Saved 60%.

Wags trip 1
I got a $5 off $20 purchase emailed to me from Walgreens, good only for today. I am loving these coupons. Only problem is that you have to have $20 after Wags Q's are taken off but before MQ's.

2 Pure American Water - I purchased these expecting a RR to print for free BBQ set from Men's Health Magazine. No such luck. They were $1 each.
1 Multi-betic Vitamin Free after ESR.
1 Theragran M Vitamin Free after ESR.
2 Electrasol @ 2.99. I used .75 Q's on both.
3 Jello on sale for 0.39 each. I used $.50. Final cost $0.22 per box.

Total $25.63. Used $8.50 in Q's. OOP $18.39. Will get back $16.48 for ESR. Net cost $1.91.




Schnuck's

I needed dog food and had a ton of coupons! I was actually planning on switching to a premium food and wanted to only buy a small bag since I didn't even have enough to feed them today. Schnuck's had a bunch of dog food and chewie's on sale / clearance so I tried to match up what I had with what they had. I figured if I could get a good enough deal on several types, I make my own blend!
2 Goodlife Recipe, paid $1.81 each after Q's.
4 Purina dog bones, paid 0.24 for one big one (the other was free), the double pkg was free after Q's and Catalina (see below)
1 Andy Seasoned salt, $0.99

My total was $25.59 - $10 MQ's, paid $17.31 OOP after tax.
Once I got to car, I realized that the big bones in picture rang up 5.99 instead of 2.74. I had $1.5 coupons so $1.24 was a good price, $4.50 wasn't. I went back inside and got a refund of $10.08.
I'm looking at the return receipt and just realized that she gave me back the money for both bones then only re-rang the correct price once. Final cost I paid OOP is 7.23, but should have paid $10.36. I also got a Catalina for $4 oyno for buying 4 Purinas. I will be doing this deal again several times if I have enough coupons! Total after catalina was $3.23 for everything. Savings of 66%.



Last but not least another trip to Walgreens.... used another $5 off $20 coupon.
2 Hoodia @ 6.99 each but was b1g1 free.
2 Organix Hair products @ 6.99 but was b1g1 plus there is MIR so will be free for both.
1 Skin Shield @ 3.99, will get 3.30 back for ESR.
2 Milk Duds Theater boxes @ 1.29 each - were marked 3 for $3 but I'm so tired of going back for price adjustments that I'm eating the difference.... this week I have been to Walmart for 1.50, Walgreens for 1.60, Schnucks for 10.08 and CVS for 6 ecb. That is $19 but I just wish it was right the first time!!
1 Skittles @ .50
1 Starburst @ .50

We were going to the movies (thanks to General Mills cereal deal back in May!) and wanted to take along our own candy... how wrong is that?! Got to save $ where I can!

Total value $35.53, paid $17.71 oop. Will get $6.99 back for shampoo and 3.30 for Skin Shield. Net oop $7.42 a savings of 72%!

I think that is it! I sure hope so, because I'm tired! We saw Indiana Jones and fell asleep for a few minutes after struggling to stay awake. I even used some of my free Kickers energy boost but I still snoozed in the final showdown. Woke up in time to see them escape. I really needed/wanted to get some Shia time but I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped. Oh well, it was free! Just for fun, I added all June totals.
I've bought $531.42 worth of food and health/beauty items and paid $133.74. I used to spend that on a single trip to the store and/or Walmart!

6/12/08 Schnuck's

This Snowman is for you, GyrlPower!!! Thanks for reading!

Quick and dirty totals: $18.96, paid $10.07. Saved ~47%.

4 Tava Used b1g1. Had $1.50 x 2 that I forgot to use. Final cost $1.50 each. Went on the premise that they were on sale for $2.00. Oh well.
4 Ragu Fresh and Simple. On sale for $1.25. Used .75 off. Final cost $.50 each.
1 Smart Balance butter/margarine... I have no idea. On sale for $2.00 used $.75

6/11/08 CVS and WAGS

"Hello? Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me...
Is there anyone at home?"
Pink Floyd - 1982

Comment if you are reading this, anything at all!

CVS 1st trip 7 Nature Valley Granola Bars @ 3.oo, used 6 $0.65 Q's 1 Skin Effects face cleaner @ 6.99, used $2.00 Used 5/25 CVS Q and 14.99 ecb. Paid 2.10 oop, net cost 2.09. Got back 15 ecb.

Total $27.99 for $2.10.
2nd CVS stop 1 EOB lotion clearance .25 1 Brut 3.19 -1.00, earns 3 ecb 3 5 gums had CVS Q to b2g1 1 zone bar 1.00 -1.00 Q (free) 5 Atkins bars $5 - $5 Q (free) 2 GE candy @ .88, used $1 off two 2 Revlon Eyeshadows @6.99, used 2 $2 Q .... not so great deal. Store had stickers advertising this as buy 1 @ 6.99 get 3 ecb back up to 2x. Mine didn't generate, spoke with cashier who then tried to refund my money so I could buy the correct one. After all Q's, I was only entitled to 1.54 back for the two I had. She then expected me to buy the correct ones for 14.98. I said no thank you. I left and will call store manager tomorrow and see what can be done. I wouldn't have purchased them had it not been for the signage.

Total $29.65 for 1.59 oop, net cost 8.59. Should have been net cost of $2.59. Will update if I get my $6.00 back.

Update: I was able to get a refund on the wrong product and purchase the right one and earn my ECB's.












Wags
Savings are a bit more complicated.

3 Arizona energy drinks @ .25 each
4 Revlon Hair b1g1 @3.99 for 1. Used 1.00 off - $1.50 for each one.
3 Electrasol $1.87 each after ESR
3 Foil @ .14 each
2 Tide on clearance @ 2.34 each
1 Hefty @ 3.50 needed these
1 Wags Creamys free after ESR
1 Ecotrin free after ESR
2 pkg (6prs) clearance socks for $4.58
1 box envelopes, 10 pencils.

Total $47.41 for $32.28 oop. Overcharged by 1.60 on pencils and will get back 9.89 on ESR. Net total spent will be $20.79 - a savings of 56%.

6/10/08 CVS x 2

Made two trips to CVS today, one at lunch and the other after work. Will probably stop again tonight when I go back to work...
Lunch transaction:
2 Skin Effects @ 6.99 each. Used CRT for $5 off and $2 MQ. Need to purchase 1 more and will get $5 back.
2 Garnier Nutristioniste face cleaner. $5.99 each, used 2 $1.00 earned $10 ecb back.
OOP $3.31 (used 9 ecb earned 10 ecb) net cost after ecb $2.31. I had another $2 Q but it was only one per customer.



After work:
4 coke products $11 (get 3 ecb) used $2 off Q.
1 CVS band aid $1.99 (get 1.99 ecb)
2 Gold Emblem candy $0.88 each used $1 off 2. (goes towards buy $10 get 5 ecb)
2 Garnier Nutristioniste face cleaner. $5.99 each, used 1 $1.00 earned $10 ecb back.
OOP $8.48, used 10 ecb got back 14.99 ecb , net cost after ecb earned $3.49.

Totals:
$52.69 of product, spent $11.79 OOP (higher than ususal), have 14.99 ecb for next transaction - Total cost of all items is $5.80

06/06/08 CVS, Walgreen's, Schnuck's

CVS

4 Diet Pepsi Max $5.00 will get $5 back in rebate.
1 Sunsweet Apricot $1.25
1 Clairol Hair Color $1.99
3 Brut deodorant $7.17 earned $9 ecb
2 M&M Dark chocolate $2.04
Total value $26.69, after Q and tax $12.98. Paid with 12 ecb and $.98 cash, got 9 ecb back and will get $5 in rebate.
Net profit of $1.02.



Walmart Trip

I purchased $39.05 for $19.03.

Final prices after Q.
2 Manwich -$.24 profit
1 Bertolli Sauce $1.03
3 CB Pasta $.65 each
1 Honey Bunches of O's $-0.02 profit
1 Bertolli Pasta dinner $3.48
3 Yoplus Yogurt $1.08 each
2 Taco Shells $.50
2 South Beach Pizza $1.00 each
1 Dixie Napkin $0.77
1 Snuggle $0.87
2 Hershey Syrups $1.00 each
1 Hebrew National Beef Franks $1.75
1 Colonial Bread $0.00 FREE won coupon from Sweepstakes
1 Walmart Hot Dog bun $1.13 (only thing I bought without a Q)
1 Tabasco (missing from picture... must have fallen out in truck) $0.25

Purchase was paid for with free American Express gift card I won in a sweepstakes as well.

Schnuck's

$17.86 for $12.96


Savings weren't quite as good but I didn't have Q for Fresh Express Salad mix and I wanted that for my dinner this evening.
Prices after Q's
2 Cheez-It $1.50 each
4 Old Orchard Lemonade $0.15 each
2 Rubbermaid produce containers (green) $0.99 each
1 Rubbermaid Easy lid (red) $0.59
1 Fresh Express cole slaw $1.00 (no Q)
1 Fresh Express 5 blend lettuce $3.69 (no Q)
1 Texas Toast (for dinner) $1.60

Daily totals:
Total value
$83.60 purchased for $32.97 actual money (albeit mostly free gc)
Got back 9 in ecb and will get 5 in rebate. Total oop $18.97, a savings of 77%.

6/3/08 Double Coupons at Buy-Low... again

Ran back to Buy-Low after I printed off some more Q's. Picked up some pasta salad for two coworkers who don't live near this store. In exchange they printed of their alloted Silk Soymilk coupons which allowed me to get 3 cartons for $.74 each! Found two more boxes of Kraft Pasta salad that had .50 peelies. Decided that the Kraft cheese was such a good deal, since this is the higher priced premium Kraft cheese. Suggested retail $3.59 on sale for $2.39. I got it for $1.39 and the expiration is 12/08. I read online that you can freeze it, but I think I'll wait closer to the expiration and see how much I have left. Had two Q's for the BC Warm Delights. I bought two of these this past weekend, in conjunction with ECB from CVS but have yet to try them. They came highly recommended (via Susan.) I wasn't quite sure if $0.99 was a good price after Q but since the IP were doubling automatically, I thought I'd try some other flavors. Regardless a scoop of ice cream, I'm sure, will go quite well with them. I'm having quite the problem with all this food that I am amassing....I keep getting it because it is at such a great price, or a great price in comparison to what I have been paying in the recent past, but I am bringing in much more than I am consuming. That is okay to a point but it is almost like I don't want to open it because I like looking at my "collection"! I rearranged my cabinets tonight and moved stuff around to make it more organized as well as to get a grasp of what I have to start menu planning... I do have faith that there will come a time where we will have to eat!

Total value $28.01 - $17.15 MQ = $10.86 oop I saved 61%!!! 59% if I take off the BC pasta salad that isn't mine...

6/2/08 Double Coupons at Buy-Low

Double coupons are far and few between here! Local store had them last week but since their prices are usually higher, doubling doesn't help much. Unfortunately, I didn't find many things tonight that were worth buying. What I did buy, I think I did okay.
Total value 34.33 - 18.47 MQ and doubling + tax = 16.07 OOP
The better deals were Lunchables - they were marked down due to short date .50 each. I had $1/3 making them .17 each. Jello was 1.50 - 1.00 wyb gallon of milk. Kraft deli select cheese after MQ $1.39. 2 yogurts were free with free Q from Yoplait. I had some whipped yogurt a few weeks ago that had settled in bottom, not whipped but still okay. I sent email and they sent me 2 free coupons. The Kraft pasta salad was $1.25 but there were .50 peelies attached, so they were .25 each. The BC Suddenly Salad was $1.00 before Q but I had .50/2 and .40/1. 1 box cost me .20, the other 4 were .50. I found some recipes that use the Pasta salad and thought it would be good for the summertime!!!

Here is a breakdown if you are interested... mostly it is for my own records so I can keep track of good prices!

6/1/08 CVS and Buy-Low

Made myself go shopping.... had some coupons that expired today. Brought home:
2 Listerine Smart Rinse (free after ecb)
2 Dawn Botanicals dish soap (free after MQ and ecb)
2 Oral-B Value Pack toothbrushes (free after ecb)
5 Suave Deodorant (each for .69 use .75 coupon - they paid me .30 to bring it home)
1 bag dog chews
2 febreze Air
2 febreze Extra Strength fabric spray
4 CVS cotton swabs (3 with bonus travel pack) (free after ecb)
1 Bounty paper towel 8pk
2 Chex mix (free w/ MQ)
1 box Russel Stover candy (couldn't resist $16 box of chocolate for $2.00)
1 Sunsweet Apricots
5 Duracell 4 pk batteries
2 Purell Hand Sanitizer

Total value $89.07
I spent $8.18 actual cash, saved 95%.
Started with 8 ecb and have 12 to spend another day.

5/31 Buy-Low, CVS and Schnucks

Ran out to Buy-Low since they were closed last night at 10 pm. Did not have the free deodorant I was hoping to get, had to settle for hot dogs and some buns!
2 pkg on sale $1.00 each and free Sara Lee Hot Dog buns wyb 2 Ball Park Franks.

Total spent $2.00

CVS - Thanks to Susan B. I decided to run out and catch a last minute May deal. Two Ellin Lavar Hair products on sale $10/2, used $5 coupon, earned 2 ecb for each one.
1 bottle Viactiv Multivitamin glides $8.99 - $4.00 cvs coupon - $2 MQ, earned 3 ecb. CVS back pack buddies free with coupon CVS emailed me, 2 nail polishes that were requested by DD and to be paid for with her money... yeah, okay.

Total cost $22.56 - $5/$15 - $10.59 CVS Q - $2 MQ= $4.97 Used 5 ecb (lost .03) paid $.14 cash and earned 7 ecb. After all calculations, they paid me $2.03 to take the stuff home! I love those deals!

Schnuck's had some great deals and I wanted to get a few more cheap Band-Aids to add to stock pile. Paid $.50 for those, $1.09 for the Lysol cleaner, $1.25 each for the 1L bottles of Scope and $1.99 for Lysol wipes. I messed that one up. I was supposed to buy the 40 count instead of the 35 count. I didn't find the ones that were on sale but I was intending to only pay $1.24 but who is complaining! I got some great products for a little money... $8.03 in all.

All 3 trips, I brought home $40.43 in stuff but only paid $8.17 after getting ECB back to use another day (tomorrow)! Savings of 79%

Tree in trampoline...

... kind of reminds me of pigs in a blanket....

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain

I had a nice surprise waiting for me yesterday (5/29) after having to deal with the latest fiasco to happen on the home front. Well to tell the truth, I only got notice that a surprise might be in the making when I was informed that a note was left on my door detailing that a local floral company had tried to deliver something to me. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get in touch with the shop before they closed so I had to wait until today (okay it would now be yesterday but only because I have stayed up too, too late due to MickeyD tea...) Anyway, I thought I might know who sent me something but when I went today to pick them up, the card was only signed... A friend. Hmmmmm. I love mysteries! And flowers!! And shiny metallic objects, that float!!! (Sorry for the Art Bell reference) And balloons!!!!

Here are a few pictures of the gorgeous flowers. Angie... they definitely beat the ones I planted that were transplanted from Mt. Vernon, at the moment, but yours are growing on me!

My absolute favorite is the Red Gerber Daisy but they are all so pretty!


Thank you friend! I like watchin' the puddles gather rain.

5/30/08 Walgreens 2nd trip

Had one more $10 off $30 coupon to be used only today 5/30/08. Went to local WAGs and got a very unfriendly cashier. Earlier in the day on the first trip, the cashier was handing out the coupons, encouraging everyone and had no attitude when I had to go back in to get my missing RR.

2 Herbal Essence hair products $3.99 each, used 2 $1.00 MQ ($5.98) Again, will earn free manicure or pedicure from Clairol. Can only do that promo twice, so I am done but overall definitely a good deal.
1 pkg Dixie Ultra paper plates. On sale at Wags for $1.99 - $.50 MQ. ($1.49)
2 Bic Soleil razors on sale for $4.99 each. Had 2 MQ for free refills wyb razor, also had $2.00 MQ off razor. Refills on sale for $4.99 as well. ($7.98 for razors, 2 refills free)
2 bottles Maalox. On sale for $3.99. Easy Saver Rebate for May and June is overlapping 5/30 and 5/31. Used ESR coupon $2.00 for each month and also had 2 $1.50 MQ. Math is as follows for each bottle:
$3.99 - 2.00 - 2.00 - 1.50.... = $-1.51 In other words I had overage!! They paid ME to take it home and use it.

Grand total
$39.71 - 9.80 wags savings - 17.48 in MQ = 12.43 + tax. I paid $15... which was a LOT more than I had expected. I went intending to spend $2.00 or so OOP but they didn't have any more chex mix and I didn't figure the math on the spot to cover that deal. The 10 off 30 didn't work... I questioned cashier and she told me that the MQ disables the coupon, which I knew wasn't true.
She waited to take the $10 off after taking off MQ, even though I handed the stack to her in the correct order... Anyway, it was late in the evening and not many other customers so I asked to speak with a manager. He looked at the receipt and quickly added up the Q's and said it looked like I got it off since the total was $25 in savings... I added the receipt for him and showed him where he was missing the two razor blade coupons... He quickly refunded $10.70 to me. When it was all said and done, I paid $4.38 oop - a savings of almost 89%!!!


The total for my day wasn't too bad.
I spent $53.07 and brought home $159.83 worth of merchandise, I got back $11.00 to use on my next purchase, will get $2.20 back in a rebate and will have 2 manicures or pedicures to look forward to.
$53.07 - $11.00 (ecb/rr) - $2.20 rebate - $40 mani/pedi = $-0.13.

How's that for couponing?!

05/30/08 Schnucks

I signed up for the trial of The Grocery Game in hopes that it will help me even more. I love HCW but I spend a lot of time reading through all of the posts looking for great deals. TGG organizes it and basically it seems to be coupon shopping for dummies or those who need to do other things besides read!

So far, I think it has potential but it has a small subscription cost. I'll have to wait and see if it is worth it.

6 boxes Orville Redenbacher's Natural popcorn on sale 2/$3.00. I had 6 $1.00 MQ - paid $.50 per box.
2 boxes Band-Aid on sale 2/$3.00. I used 2 $1.00 MQ - paid $.50 per box. I have 3 more coupons and will go back and get more before sale is over.
2 Lysol 32 oz all purpose cleaners. These were supposed to be $1.86 but were $2.09. I used $1.00 MQ and paid $1.09 each. Much better than dollar store!
2 jars Bertolli pasta sauce on sale 5/$10. I had 2 $.75 MQ - paid $1.25 per jar. Sale also includes the new pouch Bertolli sauces which I have $1.00 MQ so I will be going back and getting some of those for $1.00. Again, as cheap if not cheaper than Hunt's (although Hunt's is good... )
2 Shake 'n Pour Bisquick Pancake mixes. Makes 10 pancakes I think. On sale 10/$10. I had $1.00 MQ wyb 2 products. Cost is $.50 each.
2 Comet bathroom cleaners, on sale 2/$3.00. Used 2 $.35 MQ. Paid $1.15 for each.
1 pound ground chuck $3.39. Had $1.50 oyno Catalina. Paid $1.89

Total $28.27 - 14.70 MQ = $14.58, paid cash. Saved 43% on grocery bill.

Pictures of stockpile

My batteries were charged fully from tree in trampoline fiasco, so I decided to take a few pictures of the stockpile. I need to organize the closet and make more room in kitchen for the overflow but perhaps that will happen when there isn't so many bargains to find!

Closeup of non perishable stuff in garage:



Better view:



12 rolls of free tin foil, cheap Hefty bags and toothpaste overflow from closet...




Inside the closet... this is only the stuff that remains. I have moved some of it into clear shoeboxes in order to organize it better...? I'm still working on it...!