Total: $103.48
Saved: $77.37
OOP: $ 26.11
75% Savings...I will take that LOL
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Target Trip May 11, 2010
Target Trip today to score some deals. I could have done a little better I think, but there were a couple coups I couldn't get my greedy hands on and just had to go with what I had ;O)
Total: $ 78.18
OOP: $20.75
Thursday, April 22, 2010
KOHL'S April 22, 2010
COUPON for KOHL's ...PLUS they have the $10.00 KOHL'S Cash back for every $50.00 spent, AND if you are registered for KOHL's newsletters and such, you SHOULD have gotten a $10.00 gift card in the mail for KOHL's too...
KOHL's 15% off Coupon
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Been Awhile Arpil 17, 2010
CVS Trip Today
Total: $100.78
OOP: 13.56
Saved $ 87.52
I might not be posting, but I am still as diligent...(or is it militant) about saving where I can.
I hope to get back on track with posting stuff.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Totals: February 14, 2010
So keeping up with this Blog is soooo way harder than I want it to be ;O(
Walgreens Total: $ 53.18
Saved: $ 42.00
Walgreens OOP: $11.18
Target Total: $ $29.77
Saved: $ 26.00
Target OOP: $3.77
Kroger Total: $ 18.95
Saved: $ 3.95
Kroger OOP: $ 15.57
Publix Total: $ 238.74
Saved: $238.74
Publix OOP: $0.00
(I had a couple gift cards here ...so ACTUALLY my total would have been 78.56...but nothing came out of MY pocket book...so ZERO...wooot!!)
Grand Total $ 340.64
Saved: $ 310.69
Total OOP: $ 30.52
Percentage Saved: 91%
Menu for Week of February 15-19
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Good Deals: February 10, 2010
A Couple deals I had to cash in on today....
Target:
I had a Rain check for 6 each Nivea Body wash that was on sale for @ $2.99 a couple weeks ago
6 ea Nivea Body wash @ $2.99 (rain check price)
6 ea Store Coupon $1.00/1
6 ea MQ $2.00/1
made $.06 cents
2 ea Scrabble card game @ $5.24 ea
2 ea MQ $4.00/1
2.48
Total: 2.42
Tax: 1.35
OOP: $3.77
Didn't spend: $ 29.77
Walgreens:
2 ea Rembrant Teeth Whitner @ $25.99 ea
1 ea Store Coupon to take price down to $9.99 ea
$9.98
Total: 9.98
Tax: 1.20
OOP: $11.18
Didn't spend: $ 53.18
Grand Total: $82.95
Saved: 68.00
OOP: 14.95
Percentage Saved: 82%
Monday, February 8, 2010
END OF MONTH JANUARY TOTALS
Grand Total: $ 1422.71 (or $284.54 a week)
Saved: $ 899.66 (or $179.93 a week)
OOP: $ 522.25 (or $104.45 a week)
$ 4.45 a week over budget ( not too shabby for me...I can do better right?)
Saved: $ 899.66 (or $179.93 a week)
OOP: $ 522.25 (or $104.45 a week)
Percentage saved for January: 64%
$ 4.45 a week over budget ( not too shabby for me...I can do better right?)
Totals: February 7, 2010
Publix trip pic above paid ZERO for all that!!
Kroger Total: $ 188.02
Saved: $ 89.09
Kroger OOP: $98.93
Publix Total: $ 123.44
Saved: $ 123.44
Publix OOP: $0.00
Grand Total $ 311.46
Saved: $ 212.53
Total OOP: $ 98.93
Percentage Saved: 68%
Totals: January 31, 2010
So this is a week late, LOL,
Again, I am posting for me to keep in check with my goals for this year.
I have had quite a few friends want to check out my blog. While that is pretty exciting, I feel like I am falling short at being an inspiration since I do not post in great detail to REALLY help them along.
There were no pictures here, but a totals post all the same.
Publix Total: $ 92.08
Saved: $ 40.09
Publix OOP: $51.19
Costco Total: $ 95.99 (MEAT RUN!!)
Saved: $ 10.00 (gift card)
Costco OOP: $85.99
Grand Total $ 188.07
Saved: $ 50.09
Total OOP: $ 137.18
:o(
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Coupons–We All Win
This is a post by Brandy over at I Prefer Publix!! An honest to goodness look at how coupons are GREAT for the stores that let us use them. Brandy's Site
One of the things that bugs me the most about being a couponer is that people (and by people I mean, cashiers, managers, other customers) think I am getting away with something, ripping off the store, cheating the system, some even say I am stealing. And it makes me furious.
This attitude comes from a lack of knowledge about how coupons work. If you're here reading my blog, you probably know how coupons work. Here's a quick reminder for all of us...
Manufacturer's coupons: When the stores submit these to the clearinghouse, they are reimbursed FULL FACE VALUE plus $.08 per coupon. So the store makes MORE money by accepting your coupon than by the average shopper handing over cash/credit.
*If a coupon is difficult to read/scan at the fault of the manufacturer/design, the store can charge the manufacturer even more for the handling of these q's.
*Most Clearinghouses are huge conveyor belts that scan coupons to tally the reimbursement value, so that cashier that agrees to "give it to you for free, shouldn't that be enough?" by marking your $1 coupon down to $.75? Just made $.25 for the store. That huge scanner doesn't pay a single inkling to that little $.75 the cashier wrote on your coupon.
*Stores even get reimbursed postage for the cost of shipping the coupons to the clearinghouse.
Doubling/Tripling coupons: A gimmick to get you in the door. The store eats the cost of doubles/triples. They consider it worthwhile if it causes you to shop there rather than at... Wal-Mart.
Competitor Coupons: This is truly a loss for a store. There is no reimbursement value for competitor coupons. Like doubling/tripling, accepting competitor coupons is a gimmick to get you in the doors to buy all your other items at their store rather than the competitor. Stores that accept competitor coupons are using a brilliant marketing strategy. They are counting on you wanting to buy all your items in one place, and hoping that if you have a competitor's coupon that you can use at their store, you'll stick around for the other things as well.
Store Coupons: Store coupons are a little tricky to define. Let's take Publix as an example. Regular Publix shoppers will notice that those Advantage Buy Flyers have coupons and sales that rotate on a regular basis. One that appears often is the $6/2 Sundown Vitamins coupon. The CEO of Publix may be a nice guy, but he's not browsing the local store looking for things to give away. I promise. :) What happens is, some head honcho at Sundown gets together with some head honcho at Publix and they strike a deal. The value could be based on number of coupons redeemed, or number of stores that run the sale. Specifically for Publix, the most recent numbers show that Publix is getting reimbursed approximately 75-80% of the Store coupons' face value. So don't let anyone say to you "Publix doesn't get reimbursed for these" "We can't give it to you for free" "We can't pay you to take it". Because that shows lack of knowledge of how these q's work.
BOGO deals (Publix): You may not be aware of this, but like the store coupons, sales like the Mega sales at Kroger and BOGO sales at Publix are also marketing ploys that are reimbursed by the manufacturer! If Publix is selling Scrubbing Bubbles BOGO at $3.99/ea, that means, you, the consumer, will pay half price for the item, or $2.00. At the end of the sale, Publix tells Johnson and Johnson, hey, we sold 100 bottles of Scrubbing Bubbles, costing us $199, now pony up. And Johnson and Johnson PAYS Publix for running the special and promoting the product. It is another form of advertising. Most recent numbers show that BOGO sales at Publix are reimbursed at approximately 70-80%.
ETA: It occurred to me I failed to mention rainchecks. Rainchecks are another loss for a store. The store is reimbursed the difference of the sale to the store, but if a raincheck is issued, the store is the one to eat the cost when you do use the raincheck. The manufacturer will cover the "deal" for the week the item is on sale, but the store is responsible for keeping the items in stock. If a store has to issue a raincheck, then the amount of discount given is lost since it is beyond the sale week. This is a reason you will have limits enforced on rainchecks.
It makes me crazy that people have this mindset that people who use coupons are abusing the system. I hate that. As long as you are an honest couponer, using legit coupons and following the store rules, then you are doing no such thing. Abuse comes from illegal photocopies, stacking two manufacturer coupons on one item, and so forth. That is true abuse of the system. Most of us? We are just honest people looking for a good deal.
And in the end? The store wins. The store wins BIG by catering to couponers. Let me show you what I mean. . .
When I shop at Publix, I use the trick of buying multiple moneymakers to build up overage to afford the items I need. This helps reduce my out of pocket expense. Do I need 10 bottles of Aleve? 8 Rolls of J&J gauze? 10 boxes of Phazyme? Not right at the moment, and I certainly wouldn't walk into Publix and pay for all of that with cash. So Publix makes a higher profit by selling to me than the average person who runs in for a few things.
My most recent shopping trip:
For Items I use regularly that I stockpiled or needed (eggs, Morningstar, fruit, etc)
Total Cost: $125.61
Total store coupons: $5
Total Mq's: $64.15
(Quantity of mq's presented: 51: $4.08 handling fees)
Total doubles: $4.50
Total BOGO: $60.49
For Moneymakers:
Total cost: $108.96
Total store coupons: $103
Total Mq's: $82
(Quantity of mq's presented: 41: $3.28 handling fees)
For this scenario, we'll go with an 80% return on BOGOs and store q's.
So, for this trip, after reimbursement, the store will have received approximately $288.50, losing $38.20 in store coupons, doubles and BOGOs.
BUT If I wasn't a couponer, and only bought the items I needed/wanted, and we're assuming I am still stockpiling... The store would have made $120.62, losing $17.60 in store coupons, BOGOs and doubles.
When I shopped, I cost them $20.60, but I brought in an additional $167.88.
Now. Which stores was it that wanted to turn away the couponers????
This attitude comes from a lack of knowledge about how coupons work. If you're here reading my blog, you probably know how coupons work. Here's a quick reminder for all of us...
Manufacturer's coupons: When the stores submit these to the clearinghouse, they are reimbursed FULL FACE VALUE plus $.08 per coupon. So the store makes MORE money by accepting your coupon than by the average shopper handing over cash/credit.
*If a coupon is difficult to read/scan at the fault of the manufacturer/design, the store can charge the manufacturer even more for the handling of these q's.
*Most Clearinghouses are huge conveyor belts that scan coupons to tally the reimbursement value, so that cashier that agrees to "give it to you for free, shouldn't that be enough?" by marking your $1 coupon down to $.75? Just made $.25 for the store. That huge scanner doesn't pay a single inkling to that little $.75 the cashier wrote on your coupon.
*Stores even get reimbursed postage for the cost of shipping the coupons to the clearinghouse.
Doubling/Tripling coupons: A gimmick to get you in the door. The store eats the cost of doubles/triples. They consider it worthwhile if it causes you to shop there rather than at... Wal-Mart.
Competitor Coupons: This is truly a loss for a store. There is no reimbursement value for competitor coupons. Like doubling/tripling, accepting competitor coupons is a gimmick to get you in the doors to buy all your other items at their store rather than the competitor. Stores that accept competitor coupons are using a brilliant marketing strategy. They are counting on you wanting to buy all your items in one place, and hoping that if you have a competitor's coupon that you can use at their store, you'll stick around for the other things as well.
Store Coupons: Store coupons are a little tricky to define. Let's take Publix as an example. Regular Publix shoppers will notice that those Advantage Buy Flyers have coupons and sales that rotate on a regular basis. One that appears often is the $6/2 Sundown Vitamins coupon. The CEO of Publix may be a nice guy, but he's not browsing the local store looking for things to give away. I promise. :) What happens is, some head honcho at Sundown gets together with some head honcho at Publix and they strike a deal. The value could be based on number of coupons redeemed, or number of stores that run the sale. Specifically for Publix, the most recent numbers show that Publix is getting reimbursed approximately 75-80% of the Store coupons' face value. So don't let anyone say to you "Publix doesn't get reimbursed for these" "We can't give it to you for free" "We can't pay you to take it". Because that shows lack of knowledge of how these q's work.
BOGO deals (Publix): You may not be aware of this, but like the store coupons, sales like the Mega sales at Kroger and BOGO sales at Publix are also marketing ploys that are reimbursed by the manufacturer! If Publix is selling Scrubbing Bubbles BOGO at $3.99/ea, that means, you, the consumer, will pay half price for the item, or $2.00. At the end of the sale, Publix tells Johnson and Johnson, hey, we sold 100 bottles of Scrubbing Bubbles, costing us $199, now pony up. And Johnson and Johnson PAYS Publix for running the special and promoting the product. It is another form of advertising. Most recent numbers show that BOGO sales at Publix are reimbursed at approximately 70-80%.
ETA: It occurred to me I failed to mention rainchecks. Rainchecks are another loss for a store. The store is reimbursed the difference of the sale to the store, but if a raincheck is issued, the store is the one to eat the cost when you do use the raincheck. The manufacturer will cover the "deal" for the week the item is on sale, but the store is responsible for keeping the items in stock. If a store has to issue a raincheck, then the amount of discount given is lost since it is beyond the sale week. This is a reason you will have limits enforced on rainchecks.
It makes me crazy that people have this mindset that people who use coupons are abusing the system. I hate that. As long as you are an honest couponer, using legit coupons and following the store rules, then you are doing no such thing. Abuse comes from illegal photocopies, stacking two manufacturer coupons on one item, and so forth. That is true abuse of the system. Most of us? We are just honest people looking for a good deal.
And in the end? The store wins. The store wins BIG by catering to couponers. Let me show you what I mean. . .
When I shop at Publix, I use the trick of buying multiple moneymakers to build up overage to afford the items I need. This helps reduce my out of pocket expense. Do I need 10 bottles of Aleve? 8 Rolls of J&J gauze? 10 boxes of Phazyme? Not right at the moment, and I certainly wouldn't walk into Publix and pay for all of that with cash. So Publix makes a higher profit by selling to me than the average person who runs in for a few things.
My most recent shopping trip:
For Items I use regularly that I stockpiled or needed (eggs, Morningstar, fruit, etc)
Total Cost: $125.61
Total store coupons: $5
Total Mq's: $64.15
(Quantity of mq's presented: 51: $4.08 handling fees)
Total doubles: $4.50
Total BOGO: $60.49
For Moneymakers:
Total cost: $108.96
Total store coupons: $103
Total Mq's: $82
(Quantity of mq's presented: 41: $3.28 handling fees)
For this scenario, we'll go with an 80% return on BOGOs and store q's.
So, for this trip, after reimbursement, the store will have received approximately $288.50, losing $38.20 in store coupons, doubles and BOGOs.
BUT If I wasn't a couponer, and only bought the items I needed/wanted, and we're assuming I am still stockpiling... The store would have made $120.62, losing $17.60 in store coupons, BOGOs and doubles.
When I shopped, I cost them $20.60, but I brought in an additional $167.88.
Now. Which stores was it that wanted to turn away the couponers????
Monday, January 25, 2010
Totals: January 24, 2010
Here we go:
No pictures today...I tell ya, that is hard to get my pics up.
Kroger Total: $ 244.17
Saved: $ 133.18
Kroger OOP: $110.99
Publix Total: $ 177.40
Saved: $ 153.51
Publix OOP: $ 23.89
Grand Total $ 421.57
Saved: $ 283.69
Total OOP: $ 137.88
Percentage Saved: 65% (not impressive)
$ 37.88 Over Budget (AGAIN...grrrrr.........)
I think next week will be a pantry week. Food is falling out of the freezer ...a great problem to have :)
Publix:
4 ea benevia Drinks: 8.49 ea
4 ea Store coupon $4.00/
4 ea MFQ $5.00/1
overage 2.04
1 ea Yakisoba: .79
1 Ea MFQ $.50/1 (doubles)
overage .21
2 ea Gatorade: 1.25 ea
2 ea store coupon $.55/1
2 ea MFQ $.50/1 (doubles)
overage .60
2 ea NY Texas Toast: 1.64 ea
2 ea MFQ .40/1 (doubles)
1.68
1 ea Colgate Total: 3.85 (hmm...I thought this was on sale)
1 ea MFQ 1.00/1
2.85
6 ea Post Honey Bunches of Oats : 1.99 ea
6 ea MFQ $1.00/1
5.94
1 ea IAMS Puppy Food: 15.99
1 ea $10.00/1
5.99
6 ea Rotel :1.39
3 ea MFQ $.55/2
3 ea Store coupon $.75/2
4.44
2 ea Krusteaz : 1.29
1 ea MFQ .50/2 (doubles)
1.58
2 Ea Aunt Jeminma Syrup : 1.89
2 ea MFQ .50/1
1.78
2 ea Pillsbury Rolls: 1.67
1 ea MFQ.40/2
2.54
3 ea Helluva Dip 2.00
3 ea MFQ .50/1
3.00
6 ea Rolaids :1.50 ea
3 ea MFQ 4.00/2
overage 3.00
4 Sundown Vitamins ( 2 @ 3.99 2 @ 4.29)
2 ea Store coupon 6.00/2
4 ea MFQ 1.00/1
.58
2 ea Phazyme : 2.99 ea
2 ea store coupons 5.00/2
2 ea MFQ ...I can't remember, but I know I made $$ on this deal.
This will teach me to throw out my match up list...grrrr...
I had a package of Pork Chops that were yucky, so I got 8.83 back ( and the chops replaced) to apply to my totals.
Used a $5.00/20 rite aide coupon
And here we are.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Totals: January 17, 2010
I figured this week would be bad...but really wasn't AS BAD as it could have been.
I think I need a bigger table...lol
Kroger Total: $ 131.49
Saved: $ 49.69
Kroger OOP: $ 81.80
Publix Total: $ 177.88
Saved: $ 153.00
Publix OOP: $ 24.88
WAGS Total: $ 32.43
Saved: $ 29.18
WAGS OOP: $ 3.25
Rite Aide Total: $ 29.32
Saved: $ 17.33
Rite Aide OOP: $ 11.99
CVS: $ 14.75
Saved: $ 9.99
CVS OOP: $ 4.76
Grand Total $ 385.87
Saved: $ 259.19
Total OOP: $ 126.68
Percentage Saved: 67%
Weekly Menu January 18-22
.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Totals:January 10, 2010
Not the best week since I didn't actually do my big weekly shopping...next week will probably be HUGE. But this is where I stand as of the week Ending Jan 10, 2010
Kroger Total: $ 13.52
Saved: $ 3.67
Publix Total: $ 59.09
Saved: $ 41.69
WAGS Total: $ 33.57
Saved: $ 27.79
WAGS OOP: $ 5.78
Grand Total $ 106.18
Saved: $ 73.15
$66.97 Under Budget ( yea...it is gonna be UGLY next week...LOL)
Menu for next week:
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Bisquits
Mac-n- Cheese
Veggie
Pork Roast
Carrots
Potatoes
Hash Browns
Bacon
Kroger Total: $ 13.52
Saved: $ 3.67
Kroger OOP: $ 9.85
Publix Total: $ 59.09
Saved: $ 41.69
Publix OOP: $ 17.40
WAGS Total: $ 33.57
Saved: $ 27.79
WAGS OOP: $ 5.78
Grand Total $ 106.18
Saved: $ 73.15
Total OOP: $ 33.03
Percentage Saved: 69%
Menu for next week:
Monday:
Bisquits
Tuesday:
Fish StixMac-n- Cheese
Veggie
Wednesday:
Carrots
Potatoes
Bacon
Friday:
Meatloaf
Scalloped potatoes
Veggies
Bisquits
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
WAGS Visit January 7, 2010
Walgreens Visit on the way home from work today.
TOTAL: $33.57
OOP: $ 5.78
2 ea Mens Gillette Shampoo on Sale for $1.59
2 ea MQ $1.00/1
Paid $1.18 for both
3 ea Hunt's Tomato Sauce 8oz
1 ea Store Coup for $.39 a can
1 ea MQ for $$1.00/3
Paid $.17 for all 3
2 ea Nabisco Ritz Crackers on sale for $.99 ea
1 ea MQ $2.00/2
Made $.02 on both
1 ea John Frieda on sale for $1.79
1 ea John Frieda on sale for $5.00
1 catalina $3.00/2
Paid $3.79
Tax: $ .66
OOP: $ 5.78
AND...got a $5.00 RR for next shopping trip off the John Frieda Products! WOOT!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Totals:January 3, 2010
Well, I finished my shopping for the week...but you never know what pops up right?
OOP: $87.48
Kroger Total: $ 108.81
Saved: $ 35.64
Publix Total: $ 179.10
Saved: $ 170.32
CVS Total: $ 33.11
Saved: $ 27.58
CVS OOP: $ 5.53
Grand Total $ 321.02
Saved: $ 233.54
OOP: $87.48
Kroger Total: $ 108.81
Saved: $ 35.64
Kroger OOP: $ 73.17
Publix Total: $ 179.10
Saved: $ 170.32
Publix OOP: $ 8.78
CVS Total: $ 33.11
Saved: $ 27.58
CVS OOP: $ 5.53
Grand Total $ 321.02
Saved: $ 233.54
Total OOP: $ 87.48
Percentage Saved: 73%
$12.52 Under Budget
Menu for next week:
Menu for next week:
Monday:
Rockin Red Clam Sauce over angel hair pasta
Garlic bread
Salad
Tuesday:
Manicotti
Salad
Garlic breadWednesday:
Refreid beans
Thursday:
Ravioli Casserole
Garlic Bread
Salad
Friday:
Potato Bowls
Happy New Year...With resolutions and all!!
So, like most people I have a few resolutions on my mind. However aside from the traditional resolutions, I am going to try my hand and setting a definitive budget, and tracking my spending a savings a wee bit (O.K...crazy bit) more closely that I have been.
My shopping budget and goals are as follows:
Grocery: $ 80.00 a week (Remember that I have 6 people who live in my house)
Paper and Household $10.00 a week (Hopefully a lotta RR's and ECB's to make this happen)
Miscellaneous Expense: $ 10.00 a week (For whatever might come along)
So...
$100.00 a week
$400.00 a month
$4800.00 for the year
is my total goal
YIKES! Kinda scary to look at that way, since in past years, $250.00 a week was not unheard of in my house.
I got this Savings Tracker from a favorite site I frequent, and going to see if I can put it to use:
http://www.southernsavers.com/2009/12/2010-savings-tracker/
I have a very intense and busy life since I work 50 plus hours a week outside the home, and 4 sons, and my hubby started back at college last year. I am not planning on excuses for not posting this journey, however...totals may be the ONLY thing I have time to post.
My deal match-ups are not nearly as detailed and precise as some other bloggers who I KNOW I couldn't do this without. My favorite sites are:
http://hip2save.com
http://www.southernsavers.com
http://www.iheartpublix.com
http://dealfindingchik.blogspot.com
That's all I have for now, gotta go shopping!
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