Weekly Totals Update

Well, it's that time again, weekly budget totals. I'm going to do a separate category for our stock-up trip because we used money that we specifically saved for that purpose. Joe and I have decided that we are going to try for $80 this month for food, health and beauty, and household items. That's $20 less than last month, but I think we can do it...

Stock-up Trips: $50.36
Food: $23.97
Health & Beauty/Household: $3.56 (Walgreen's trip)
Total OOP: $27.53
Eating out, different budget: about $25 (It appears that we have lost some of the receipts) = 2 trips to the golden arches & some soft pretzels at the Hanover Super Wal-mart

Amount left for the month: $52.47

Quick CVS Stop

Joe and I stopped into Super Fresh today to grab some bread flour and yeast so that I can play with my NEW bread maker this weekend while we are snowed in :-) We went next door to CVS to get the Power Bar Bites that were FREE after ECB's, and lo and behold they had the Oust back in stock -- YAY!!
2 cans Oust Surface and Air Spray $3.99 ea - BOGO Free MC $3.99 - $3 ECB x 2 (I should have only gotten 1, so I guess the limit is higher than 3!) = 2 FREE + $2.01 MM!
1 pkg Power Bar Gel Blasts $1.50 - $1.50 ECB = FREE (Joe is now addicted to these...)
+ Tax 0.48
- $3 ECB used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.97, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $7.50 in ECB's for next time!!!!

Rite-Aid Trip this Week

Stopped into Rite-Aid to transfer a prescription and get a FREE $25 gift card, but while I was there, you know I had to shop for some deals... Here's what I ended up with... (this was done in 2 transactions)
2 Colgate Advanced Whitening Toothpastes $3.99 ea - $1 ea Sale - $2 SCR x 2 - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2 FREE + $0.02 MM*
2 Advil 40 ct Liquid-gels $6.99 ea - $2.50 ea Sale - $2/1 MC x 1 (had 2 but forgot to use 1 - ugh!) - $1 SCR x 2 - $4.49 Mail-in Rebate (MIR) x 2 = 2 FREE + $4 MM!
2 Blink Gel Tears $11.99 - $4 ea Sale - $7.99 SCR x 2 - $2/1 MC x 2 = 2 FREE + $4 MM
4 Kleenex Tissues 75 ct $2.49 ea - BOGO Free Sale x 2 - $1/2 Rite-Aid Values C (RAVC) x 2 = 4/$2.98 + I earned 4 Bonus Tickets for their Game of Life!
4 Chex Mixes $0.99 ea - $1/2 RAVC x 2 - $0.50/2 MC x 2 = 4/$0.96
1 Right Guard Sport Gel Deodorant $3.29 but clearanced to $1.64 - Free item coupon for RA's Game of Life Tickets = FREE
+ Tax $0.16
- $5/$20 Purchase RA coupon
Total OOP: $17.04 - Expected SCR $21.98 - Expected MIR $4.49 x 2 = Net OOP: ALL FREE + $13.92 MONEY MAKER!!!!
*These items were donated

CVS Trip #2

I know, I'm addicted to cheap fish oil, but it is something that I need to take, so when I can get a good deal on it, I DEFINITELY take advantage of it... :-)
4 Nature's Bounty Fish Oil 120 ct Bonus bottles $10.49 ea - BOGO Free Sale x 2 - $1/1 MC x 4 - $3 ECB wyb 2 x 2 = 4/$10.98
1 - 84 ct Combo pk Cottonelle Wipes $5.98 - $0.50/1 MC - $3 ECB = $2.48
1 Schick Quattro Men's Trimmer $11.99 - Free item CVS coupon received in the mail = FREE
Tax $0.92
- $5/30 Purchase coupon
- $4 ECB's used to pay (left most of mine at home, I HATE it when I do that!)
Total OOP: $14.38, paid on FREE gift card + Earned $10 RR's for next time (includes $1 for Green Bag Tag)!!!

Walgreen's -- Rolling those RR's!!

I did three transactions and Walgreen's this week, to try and keep my OOP as low as possible...
Transaction #1:
1 Royal Gelatin $0.69 - $0.49 in-ad coupon = $0.20
1 Lypsyl Lip Balm $2.99 - $2 RR = $0.99
1 Puffs Tissues $1.39 - $0.50 in-ad coupon - $1/1 MC = FREE + $0.11 MM!
+ Tax $0.24
- $3 RR's used to Pay
Total OOP: $0.32 + Received $2 RR to use next time

Transaction #2:
1 Blink Gel Tears $7.99 - $2/1 MC - $8 RR = FREE + $2.01 MM
2 - 3M Transparent Tape $1.29 ea - $1.80 in-ad coupon = 2/$0.78
+ Tax $0.05
- $4 RR's used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.82 + Received $8 RR to use next time

Transaction #3:
1 Joint Juice 30 ct (this is a monthly deal!) $10 - $10 RR = FREE
1 - 3M Transparent Tape $1.29 - $0.90 in-ad coupon = $0.39
+ Tax $0.03
- $10 RR's used to Pay
Total OOP: $0.42 + Received $10 RR to use next time

Grand Total OOP: $3.56 + Earned $20 RR's to use next time! Total Savings -- $38.18 or 91% -- WOW!!!

Martin's Stop this week

This was probably one of the biggest hauls I've had from Martin's, but what can I say, they had some really good deals this week...
6 bags Kraft Shredded Cheeses (bought in 2 transactions, 3 ea) $3.25 ea - $1.25 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 - Bonus Savings $1/3 or $2 total = 6/$8
2 Old El Paso Ready-Sides $1.69 ea - $0.69 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled x 2 = 2 FREE + Received a $1 Catalina for my next shopping trip = MM!!*
1 Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning $0.79 - MC Free Seasoning wyb any 2 Old El Paso items = FREE
4 McCormick Fajita Seasonings $0.83 ea - $0.33 ea Sale - $1/4 MC = 4/$1
2 cans Rotel Tomatoes $1.29 ea - $0.29 ea Sale - $0.55/2 MC doubled = 2/$0.90
1 box Post Shredded Wheat Cereal $3.25 - $1.25 Sale - $2/1 MC = FREE
1 Hallmark Card $0.99 - $0.50/1 Martin's Coupon = $0.49
2 - 5 ct cans Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls $1.35 ea - $0.50/1 MC doubled x 2 = $0.35 ea or 2/$0.70
2 Wisk Detergents $6.45 ea - BOGO Free Sale - $2/1 MC x 2 = $2.45/2 (WOW!)
+ Tax $0.45
Total OOP: $49.41 - 36.97 Coupons & Sales = OOP $12.89 + Earned $1 OYNO Catalina = Net OOP: $11.89 -- Savings of 77% -- YAY!!!!!
* These Items were donated

Wal-Mart Stocking up Trip

Joe and I also went to the Super Wal-mart in Hanover to do a little stocking up...

2 - 4 pks Yoplait Delight Yogurt (my sinful indulgence) $2 ea - $1/1 MC x 2 = $1 ea or $2/2

1 GV gallon Milk 2% $2.88

1 - 10 lb bag GV Granulated Sugar $5.48

1 big container Kraft Real Mayo $4.44

4 String Cheese Sticks $0.25 ea = $1/4 (this is actually cheaper than buying them in a bag)

1 - 6 lb bag Jasmine Rice $4.48

2 Jiffy Pizza Crust Mixes $0.48 ea = $0.98/2

1 GV Pizza Crust Mix (to try) $0.44

1 container Crystal Light (makes 16 qts) $2.98 (on Sale!)

3 Bananas $0.82

2 Spray Paints (not pictured) $0.96 ea = $1.92/2

3 Drill Bits (not pictured) $1.64, $2.14 & $3.34 = $7.12

2 Glass Jars for my Pantry!!! (YAY!) $3.97 ea = 2/$7.94

0.45 lb Bulk Coffee $4.04 - $4/1 MC (from this past week's Sunday paper) $0.04!

0.48 lb Bulk Coffee $4.31 - $4/1 MC (same as above) = $0.31!

+ Tax $1.21

Total OOP: $44.04 - Joe's Stuff & Jars, with Tax (different budget) $18.19 = $25.85

ALDI Stocking up Trip!!!

I have been waiting all month for this trip to ALDI; I love that store!!!
2 boxes Taco Shells $0.99 ea = $1.98/2
2 pkgs Flour Tortillas $0.99 ea = $1.98/2
1 - 2 pk French Bread Pizzas $1.99 (I'm excited to try these!)
2 Avocados $0.49 ea = $0.98/2
1 pkg Broccoli Crowns $0.89
1 jar Mild Salsa $1.49
1 - 8 oz Brick of Mild Cheddar $1.79
1 tub Hummus (for Joe of course...) $1.69
1 - pk Romaine Hearts $1.99
1 cont. Parmesan and Romano Shaker Cheese $2.49
2 cans Stewed Tomatoes $0.55 ea = $1.10/2
1 Guacamole Mix $0.49
1 - 6 ct Large Cinnamon Raisin Bagels $0.69 (not sure why, but if I would have known sooner, I would have went back in and bought several for the freezer)
1 - 6 ct Large Plain Bagels $1.39
2 bags Mini Pretzels $1.29 ea = $2.58/2
1 bag Doritos (also for Joe...) $0.99
Total OOP: $24.51 -- WOW!! That's a LOT of stuff for less than $25!!!

Quick Shopper's Doubles Trip

As you know Shopper's has been doubling coupons this week (today's the last day), and I thought that I would take full advantage of the deals...
2 - 2 pks Country Crock Margarine $2.29 ea - $0.50/1 MC Tripled x 2 = $0.79 ea or $1.58/2
- $0.05 Reusable Bag Credit
Total OOP: $1.53 -- Saved 66% or $3.05 -- SWEET!

CVS Trip #1 for this Week

Joe and I went to CVS on Sunday to grab all of the AWESOME deals that they have this week, including cheap fish oil and money-making Dove body wash...

Transaction #1:
4 - 100 ct boxes Lipton Tea bags $4.79 ea - $2.49 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 - $3 ECB wyb $10 = $5/4
1 Theraflu $6.49 - $0.50 Sale - $2/1 MC - $2 ECB = $1.99
1 CVS Ibuprofen 100 ct Twin pk $3.99 - $0.10 Sale - $1 ECB = $2.89
2 Cottonelle Wipes Combo pks $5.98 ea - $0.50/1 MC x 2 - $3 ECB ea = $2.48 ea or $4.96/2
+ $0.61 Tax
- $5/30 Purchase CVS Coupon
- $17.98 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $4.47 paid with FREE gift card + Earned $12 ECB's for next time!

Transaction #2:
1 Colgate Toothpaste $3.29 - $0.30 Sale - $1/1 MC - $2 ECB = FREE + $0.01 MM
2 bottles CVS Calcium 75 ct ea $4.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale $4.99 = $4.99/2
2 bottles Nature's Bounty Fish Oil 120 ct Bonus pks $10.49 ea - BOGO Free Sale $10.49 - $1/1 MC x 2 - $3 ECB wyb 2 = $5.49/2
2 bottles Dove Body wash $5.49 ea - $1.25/1 MC x 2 - $5.49 ECB ea = 2 FREE + $2.50 MM
3 Power Bar Gel-Bites $1.69 ea - $1/1 MC (from a recent sample) x 3 = $0.69 ea or $2.07/3
+ $0.45 Tax
- $5/30 Purchase CVS Coupon
- $20 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $1.47 paid on FREE gift card + Earned $15.98 ECB's for next time!