Some deals around town

Here's a couple of my favorite deals I've spotted recently:

Meijer:
I'm a greeting card person, I love them. I stopped in Meijer this weekend, and as I walked through the card section, I noticed some coupon tearpads. Meijer has a coupon for $2 off when you buy 3 American Greetings cards. They also have an assortment of cards for just $.99 each. That means you get 3 cards for $1 - The coupon is good through April 12th


Kroger:
I just happen to LOVE the new Cherry Diet Dr Pepper. Kroger has a sale right now, you buy 2 - 12 packs of any Dr Pepper and you get one free. Which makes them $2.34 each... not a bad deal. However, if you've already been buying Dr Pepper (or if you want to repeat this transaction) many of the 12 packs are advertising a $1 coupon inside. If you use 3 of these (because you are purchasing 3 12 packs) you can get the 3 - 12 packs for just $4 or $1.33 each

( I can see the mountain of Dr Pepper I shall be constructing, lol)

Some great deals abound!

You'll have to use your imagination on this one for right now... I took pictures of my shopping trip with my phone, but last week I had modified the settings on my camera, and I can't figure out where it's saving the pictures!

So anyways, it's been awhile since I've shared some bargains, yesterday I managed to score some amazing deals. My kitchen cabinets are thoroughly stocked with all sorts of things.

First stop was Kroger, they're doing some really good sales this week. They have one of those promotions where if you can get $5 off your order for buying 10 products from certain groups.

Kraft Cheese is part of this sale. It's on sale for 1.99 for a variety of slices, shredds, cubes and chunks. There is also this little blinkie in some of the Kroger's that will give you a $.75 off one Kraft 2% variety. I usually buy the 2% varieties anyway, so this was a great deal. Between pizzas and casseroles, salads, sandwiches, snacks, pasta, etc... cheese will definitely be used in this house, and I had the fridge space... so I actually bought 10 packs of Kraft cheese! (Yes, I know it sounds like alot!) I got 7 bags of shredded, 1 pack of slices, and 2 blocks of Colby.
Let's look at the cost:
Kraft Cheese on sale for 1.99 each X 10 = 19.90
Less 10 blinkies for .75 : 19.90 - 7.50 = 12.40
Less $5 for purchasing 10 promotion: 12.40 - 5 = $7.40

$7.40 isn't a bad deal at all for 10 packs of cheese, it makes the cheese just $.74 a pack

Quaker Rice Cakes were on sale for $1 each, I had coupons from recent insert for $1 off, making them free.

Hormel Chili is on sale for $1 a can (Kev eats the vegetarian variety for lunch sometimes) and it's part of the "10/$5" promotion. I also had some coupons for $.55 off 2 cans from last week's inserts. I think I bought 8 cans total.

Rotel Canned Tomatoes are on sale for $1 and part of the same promotion, I had some $.30 off coupons (Kroger doubles to $.60 off) from last week's inserts, so I picked up some of those as well.

Kleenex Tissue is on sale for $1.59 and is part of the sale, I had some $.40 manufacturer's coupons from recent inserts, so that went into the mix as well.

Horizon Organic Single Serve milk is on sale for $1, there were recent coupons for $.25 off one (doubled) - I picked up a couple to use for cooking (I don't drink milk, Kev only drinks Soy)

I can't remember all the rest of the bargains, but those were the highlights. If I find my pics I'll update.

At Mejier, I worked a few good deals, the best being Kellogg's Cereal deal :

Kellogg's Cereal (select varieties) is on sale for $3 a box. If you buy 4 boxes, you get $2 off your transaction. I bought 4 boxes = $12 - $2 off - 2 Coupons for B1G1Free peelies - 2 $1 coupons = $2 for 4 boxes of cereal.

My grand total's for shopping:

Well at Kroger, my total when I checked out was $38 for $137 worth of groceries. However, I had bought an air freshner that was a holiday scent and was supposed to be $5.24 (and it had a $3 peelie on it, so it would have been $2.24) but it rang up as $10.49. I stopped at customer service and they checked, and told me since it rang up incorrectly, they were giving me the item free, so they refunded me the FULL purchase price of $11.12 (with tax) so my total at Kroger was only around $27! (It pays to check receipts!)

At Meijer, my total was around $32, but I had one transcation that didn't discount, so they gave me a $2 off my next purchase.

And I'm pretty stocked on the essentials now!

Want to know more of how I save big at the store, just ask! I'll be happy to share my tips!

It's shopping season

So, last week kicked off the official start to the Christmas holiday shopping. I'm always interested in how each year more and more stores start their sales earlier and earlier. I can remember when no store was open on Thanksgiving day, then K-Mart started, now many more followed suit. And this year, JC Penny actually opened at 4AM! Unbelievable. So - my blogging was pretty slim lately, thought I jump in and share my shopping stories.

I did start by taking advantage of some great grocery deals at Meijer last week, I meant to post them earlier in the week, but since those sales are now over, figured I wouldn't detail them out. My "official" shopping started on Wednesday night. You have to love shopping online... there are just far fewer headaches! I got my email from Lane Bryant announcing their sale earlier in the day, and was excited, this is the sale that I wait for every year, it's "Merry Christmas to me!" seeing as how Cacique bras have to be quite simply the world's greatest, even with the $38 price tag on most, they are one of my essential items. Which is why I love their Thanksgiving sale... B1G1 Free!!! I combined that promotion, with a $50 off $150 gift cheque AND Free shipping, and got $300 worth of bra's for $100 - That's 66% savings, it's hard to get a better deal. No pic posted for this one :)

Next up, Meijer, on Thanksgiving morning. I was an efficient shopper, was in and out of the store in about 15 minutes. I picked up a few rolls of Christmas wrapping paper for $.59 each, a pumpkin pie for dinner ($2.99) and the item I had went in to get, a 9 piece casserole set for $9.99!

Next I went on to CVS (though was irritated once I got their to discover they had actually let people start at midnight... HELLO... I live right down the street, I would have so been there) But I digress, picked up a quick selection of items that were completely free, combined w/ coupons which made them money makers. I spent ECB's and Gift Card, so nothing out of pocket here:

That was it for Thursday. Now on Friday, I had considered getting up early to hit a few deals, but talked myself into staying in bed instead. Later in the evening, Kev & I did stop by a few stores and snagged a couple things we were wanting to pick up that were on sale. It was great, because we got good deals and ALOT fewer people!

Target: Juno DVD $6 (This is a GREAT movie if you've never seen it) and Gremlins DVD $3.99

Walmart: Still had some $2 DVD's so I picked up a few to use as Christmas gifts.

Also browsed Half Price Bookstore and got a couple books for myself.

No other shopping, until Sunday, when I hit up K-Mart's Double coupon days (up to $2 coupons!)

Not everything was completely Free, however some things were items that I already had on my list to pick up regardless, so they were cheaper by buying there. Some of the best bargains:

Gillette Body Wash $3.99 - used $2 coupon from Sunday's insert making them Free. I bought 7!

Vaseline Moisturizer $2.99 - used $1.50 coupon making them Free. I bought 2

Reynold's Oven Bags $2.29 - used $1 coupon making them $.29 each

Glade Air Freshner $.99 - used $1/2 coupon making them Free, I think I got about 8

Febreeze Air Effects $2.99 - used $1 coupon making them $.99 I bought 4

Purina Beneful Dog Treats $4.99 - used $ 2 coupon making them $.99 I bought 3 bags

Pledge Dusters/Refills $2.50 - used $1.50 coupon making them Free, I bought 7

I won't take the time to detail out all the bargains, because there are a ton of sites that already have. I suggest if you haven't stopped by, grab your coupons and go!

This week's Meijer trip

So I jumped up early on Sunday and ran to Meijer to pick up a couple items. Ended up w/ a bit more than I planned, but the deals were great. Total out of pocket expense was about $27. Total before coupons was in the $60 range. What did I buy:

Meijer Doubles coupons up to $.50

Glade Air Freshers - Sale Price $.50 each, used $1/2 coupons = FREE

Glade Glass Scents - Sale Price $1.59 each, used B1G1 & a $1 coupon = $.59 for 2

Ziplock Pump Vacuum - Sale Price $3.19, used $2 MFN = $1.19

Ziplock Freezer Bags for Vaccum Sealer - Sale Price $2.28 each, used $1 MFN = $1.28 each

Glade Fabric & Air Refresher - Sale Price $1.99, used $1.50 MFN = $.49 each

Glade Carpet Deoderizer - Sale Price $.99, used $1 MFN = FREE

Betty Crocker Potato Dishes - Sale Price $1 each, used $.35 MFN = $.30 each

Think Thin Protein Bar - Sale Price $1.75, used $.50 MFN = $.75

Eggo Strawberry Pastry Swirls - Sale Price $2.50, used $.55 MFN = $1.95

Jello - Regular Price $.74 each, used Meijer Mealbox $1.50/2 = FREE

Taco Bell 12ct Shells - $1.30, used Meijer Mealbox $1.50 = FREE plus small overage

Bagel Bites - sale price $5/3, used $1/3 = $1.33 each x 3

Sargento Artisan Blend Cheese, sale price $2.01 x 2, no coupons

Kellogg's Pop Tarts - sale price $1.33, no coupons

Zesta Saltine Crackers - sale price $1.28, no coupons

Doritos - sale price $1.99, no coupons

De Fratelli Pizza Sauce - sale price $.99, no coupons

Pepperidge Farm Frozen Coconut Cake - sale price $2, no coupons

also I had a $.50 OYNO (off your next order) and 2 $2 OYNO coupons I used.

Not a bad trip.

Some good deals

So I managed to score a few good deals this week. I've unfortunatley been fighting off the plague, so I didn't get pictures of all of them. Here's a snapshot of what I picked up at Meijer this week for just under $9:Taco Bell 18 Count Shells, on sale this week for $1.04 each, used $1.50 mealbox coupon (from Meijer website) for each one, making them FREE plus overage

4 Boxes of Jello, on sale this week for $.50, used $1.50/2 mealbox coupon for each set of 2, making them FREE plus overage

Covergirl Foundation & Pressed Powder, on sale this week, B1G1 - combined with P&G coupon (B1G1 )from "October Savings" at beginning of month, making them both FREE

Kleenex w/ Lotion, regular price $1.59, used $.40 (doubled) MFN coupon, making them $.79

Fancy Feast cat food, 2.15 lb bags, reg price $2.14, used $1 MFN coupon each, making them $1.14 each

Duncan Hines Orange Cake Mix $1 - No coupon, just picking this up because we use this particular kind of cake mix alot and they are hard to find

Liquid Skin $4.19 - No coupon, roomie needed

Peroxide $1.39 - No coupon, just needed

Taco Bell Dinner Bowl, on sale $1.90, used $1 peelie on box, making it $.90

Some other great deals I picked up this week:

I had a few Febreeze Noticeable $5 off coupons that expire today, used them at Wal-Mart, where they were just $5.97 - making them $.97 each, picked up 4, in their new limited addition scents for the holidays!

Zone Perfect Bars, there are some MFN's floating out there for $1 off 1. They are $.97 each @ Wal-Mart, picked them up for Free

Well-Patch Singles, at Wal-Mart, just $.98, used the $1 coupons that expire today, FREE.

If you haven't managed to pick up a bunch of Free Excederin during the last CVS sale, check out Kroger, they have a blinkie machine that has $2 off the 20ct express gels, and they have them for just $2.99 - so you'd pay $.99 each. Not bad deal if you need some.

I'm sure there are other deals I should mention that I bought, it's just been one of those weeks!

Some great weekend savings

I set a goal for Sunday, and am quite happy to say it is was about 90% accomplished... I am pleased considering in recent weeks it would have been scored a big fat 0% - So, what was my goal? To get all my shopping for this week finished on Sunday. Why?

#1 I work a full time job during the week

#2 I have my part time sales gig during the week

#3 I end up missing good sales if I don't go early in the week, because all the items are gone

#4 By the time Saturday comes around, I've usually got so many things on my "to do" list, that I end up up chucking some of the deals that I want to do

Basically, recently, I haven't been getting to the store on Sunday, and then am stuck running after work in the evenings, which then just seems to be a huge time sucker, because I usually would go home, realize something was needed and then go back out, before I knew it, the entire evening was wasted.

So this weekend, with the exception of a couple of small items I will need to pick up on the way home from work (which won't be a huge time constraint) I'm finished. I do still need to go to CVS & Walgreens this week, but planned on doing that during lunch, there weren't any spectacular deals I saw that I really needed. Below is what I picked up:

At Rite Aid: I spent $23 HOWEVER, with the exception of the All-Bran Fiber waters ($3.49) everything in the picture is FAR (free after rebate)

I don't have my receipt with me, so I can't remember all the specific pricing. You can view your circular at RiteAid.com and check out the HUGE list of FAR items this week. I bought Theraflu, Lizard Lips Lip Balm, Lypsyl Lip Balm, Soft Lips Lip Balm, Excederin Tension Headache Express Gels, & Bee M.D. throat drops.

Next at Meijer (I have 2 pics, couldn't get it all on the freezer for one pic):

I won't bullet out every single item (if you see something that I don't mention & wanna know the price, just ask, I'll let you know if it was a deal or a "I just want") I spent around $50 at Meijer for everything you see, whic is not bad, considering I bought laundry supplies, etc

Best deals:

Orville Redenbacher Natural Popcorn (3 Ct full bag or 4 Ct Mini) on sale half price $1.59 minus a $1 MFN from recent inserts = $.59 a box (I bought 5!)

ChexMix $1.25 a bag minus $.50 MFN from recent inserts (doubled) = $.25 a bag (I bought 4!)

Dole Salads B1G1 @ 2.79 ea minus $1 coupon ea (in store complimentary mag, look for the recipe stand, it's located there) = $.79 for 2 bags of salad

Betty Crocker Instant Potato Packets, Reg Price $.89 minus $.40 MFN coupon (doubled) = $.09 each (I bought 4!)

Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup on sale 10 for $6, I bought 4 and combined with a $.40 /4 MFN (doubled) making it $.40 a can

Spaghetti O's (I usually don't buy, but this was a great deal) 6 for $3, there was a $.40/2 MFN (doubled) making them just $.10 a can!

Campbells Soup at Hand & Microwavable Soups $1 each, used a $.50/2 MFN (doubled) making them $.50 each

Some other quick deals

V8 Soup is on sale for $2 minus a $1 MFN = $1 ea

Tide 20 Loads $4.99 minus a $1 MFN = $3.99 ea

Apples $2.69 for a quarter peck bag (I can fit a TON in that bag)

Prego Sauce on sale $1.67, minus $.50/2 MFN (doubled) = $1.33 ea

Green Giant Frozen Veggies (small box or Steamers) $1 each, combine w/ the $1 off Steamer or $.50/2 Boxes (doubled) = Free Or $.50 each

On to Kroger: Total $1.08 (Used $16 in Glade Rewards)

Noteworthy purchases:

Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bread is B1G1 ($2.29)

Oreda Steamers $2 Sale (Use $1 MFN) = $1 each

Well that's all folks. With the exception of some soymilk & cat food, I am through shopping for the week (some of these items obviously carry over into other weeks too!)

Sometimes, one just ain't enough

Okay, so I couldn't fit all my deals into one picture... well, actually - I had alot of frozen foods, so I wanted to get them put up pretty quick! Stopped in at Meijer last night - there are still a few deals I need to go back for, because they were out, but suprisingly I was able to get most of what I wanted. Here's the "food" portion of what I picked up, not arranged to pretty, because I really wanted to get in in the freezer!

7 Green Giant Steamers - on sale $1 each - used $1 MFN coupon from Sunday = FREE

3 Land O Lakes Butters - on sale $1 each - used recent .50 MFN coupon = FREE

1 Michelina Pasta Frozen Meal - on sale $1 - was my 11th item in the 10/10 + 1 = FREE

4 Dannon Immunity Drinkable Yogurt 4 packs - on sale for $2 - used $1 from blinkie = $1 Each

1 Box Tofutti Cutie Ice Cream Sandwiches - on sale $2 - used $1.50 IP (coupons.com)

1 Box Ronzoni Smart Pasta - $1.69 - used recent $1 MFN = .69

2 Pillsbury Frozen Dinner Rolls - on sale $2 - used $1 IP (coupons.com) = $1 Each

Then, let's take a look at the "non food" purchases:

4 Lysol Kitchen Cleaners - On sale $1.14 - less .50 MFN (doubled) = .14 each

13 Lysol Bathroom Cleaners - On sale $1.04 - less .50 MFN (doubled) = .04 each

5 Lysol Refills - On sale for $1.39 - less .50 MFN (doubled) = .39 each

10 Assorted Spay N Wash - On sale $1.14 - less .50 MFN (doubled) = .14 each

5 Electrasol Tab Packs - On sale $3 - less $2.25 MFN = .75 each

5 Lady's Speed Stick Deodorants - On sale $2 - less $1 MFN = $1 ea PLUS buy 5 get $5 back on your next transaction, made them FREE

Not too bad!

Meijer Deals $8.95 out of pocket

I had another presciption to refill, and Meijer is doing $20 for a transfer, so off to Meijer I went. Here's what I got:

Rice a Roni - 1.16
Thomas English Muffins x 2 - BOGO @ 3.99
Tony's Frozen Pizza x 3 - price drop .99
Ramen Noodles x 10 - 10/$1
Ragu Pasta Sauce x 2 - 1.49 ea sale
Shout Laundry Spray - 1.94 Sale
Pop Tarts x 2 - 1.33 ea sale
Oscar Mayer Precooked Bacon x 2 - $2 ea - price drop
Skippy Peanut Butter - $2 sale
Lowry's Marinade - $1.67 sale
Q tips Vanity Case x 2 - 2/$5 sale
Lysol Neutra Air x 5 - 5.99 sale
KY Warming Mist - $1.28 Clearance

Here's what I used:
IP (Internet Printable) for Rice A Roni - .50 doubled
$1 MFN for Thomas's English Muffins - I emailed them because I love these & they sent me some coupons!
.50 off 2 Ragu MFN from Sunday's paper - doubled
.75 off Shout MFN from recent insert
$1 off 2 Poptarts MFN from recent insert
$3 off 2 Oscar Mayer Bacon, Meijer Mealbox - this is a great deal, 2 boxes for $1 after coupon!
.40 off 1 Skippy from Sunday's paper - doubled
.50 off 1 Lowry's from Sunday's paper - doubled
.30 off 1 Qtip x 2 from Sunday's paper - doubled
$4 peelie on each of the Lysol Neutra Air - I don't think people are catching this sale, because it's half off, but the sign isn't on the shelf - but it rings up!
$2 off any KY product - gave me overage!!!
$20 off Purchase from Pharmacy

So how'd it add up????
Meijer Promotions Saving: $23.99
Non Coupon Savings: $48.96
Coupon Savings: $32.75

Total Savings was: $105.70
My Oop (out of pocket) was $8.95

Which is over 90% savings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can save more $ before 8 am than most people do all day!

LOL, ok... serioulsy... Over the years, I have learned that in the city I live in, for certain stores, if you want to take advantage of a great sale, you have to be there BEFORE it starts...

This is true for Meijer more than any other place... I can remember a few times over, when I was really low on cash and needed to stretch my $$$ - I would be there on a Saturday, for their "super saturday sale" at least an hour before it started, and would go ahead and put all the items in the cart, and wait until the sale started to check out.

So this Sunday was another one of those, I had some good coupons for the nutra air products, but knew they would go fast... So I was there, at 6:30 in the morning. I bought:

Tidy Cat Breeze Litterbox System - On Sale 25% off AND I had a $10 coupon!

4 Lysol Nutra Air Starter kits - On sale 50% off AND I had a $5 coupon for each!

2 Airwick Mini's - On sale 50% off AND I had a $4 & $3 coupon

4 Boxes of Assorted Eggos - On sale $1.15 a box AND I had coupons for $1 off each 2

Grand total for my shopping trip was $27 - which may seem like alot, but is less than the cost of the litter box system normally!

Afterwards, I stopped and picked up a couple extra papers, hit Spaldings, a local bakery that is simply amazing, and luckily wasn't lined around the block - and was home - before 8AM

Decided that since I was already going to be out at Target, I would stop at Meijer as well - they were having some good sales. Spent more than I would have anticipated, but very well stocked!

For just over $20 I bought:

10 Snapple Anti Oxidant Drinks - on sale 5 for $5 and you get 5 more free!
3 Powerade Zero - .69 sale, $1 MFN
2 Doritos - 3.79 BOGO
2 Salad Mixes - 2.79 BOGO
Cheerios - 1.67 Sale, $1 internet printable from Cheerio Challenge
2 Tony's Pizza's for one - .99 sale
2 Cheerios Snack Mix - 1.67 sale, MFN .50 doubled
2 Chex Mix - 1.67 sale, MFN .50 doubled
2 Van's Organic Waffles, Sale $2.50 each, MFN $1 off 2 from Mambo Sprouts
1 Crystal Light - 3.99, FREE w/ coupon from new edition of ALL YOU & 3 Kraft Purchases
3 Kool Aid Packets - .10 each, sale - bought because these count as my 3 Kraft Purchases!