The Sweet Taste of Savings!

Just today alone I managed to save $29.88 on groceries! I hit up triple coupons one last time and I also stacked some coupons at Target to get some great deals!

Here is the breakdown of my trips today -

At HT I saved $16.13, spent $4.87 for 8 items.
* Best deal -  Betty Crocker Cake Mix and Frosting for 31 cents!
The exciting thing for me is when I buy things for my hubby that I know he will use. Just in this week alone with triple coupons I managed to buy him 3 cans of shaving gel and 1 deodorant for him and it only cost me $2.52 for all 4 things!

At Target I saved  $13.75, spent $15.29 for 10 items.
*Best deal - 2 boxes of Ore Ida French Fries for 34 cents! 
I managed to find a sweet deal on Breyers Ice Cream. Target has it on sale for $2.99 this week, I used a $2 off 2 store coupon plus a $75 off 2 manufacture coupon. So it was $3.73 for 2 cartons of ice cream. Then I also scored a box of Magnum Ice Cream bars for $1.29 after two $1 off coupons. Stacking store coupons with  manufacture coupons is the way to save at Target!

I have 2 tips to share with you -

1.  If a coupon's bar code starts with a 5 then it will still double or triple. If a coupon's bar code starts with a 9 or 0 then it will NOT double or triple.Most people are surprised when I tell them that coupons still double or triple even if they say not to. The bar code will scan and automatically double or triple if it starts with a 5.
2. Stores are starting to reward go green. Target will take 5 cents off your order every time you bring your own re-useable bag for your goodies! Kroger will give you 10 points every time you bring your own recyclable, re-useable bag for your groceries! I wish I had known about these incentives a long time ago! I keep my recycle bags in my car so every time I go to one of these stores I just bring the bag in the store with me. It's also nice not having a stockpile of plastic bags laying around!

If you've learned anything from reading this post, please share!

More Triple Savings

We just got back from our 2nd triple coupon trip! We got $59.44 worth of groceries and we only paid $10.91!!! The best savings this trip was realizing we only paid $3.81 for 4 boxes of cereal!

Here is the break down of the deals we got -

Planter's Nutrition Bars $3.49 - $2.25 = $1.24 each
Butterball Turkey Bacon $3.49 - $1.95 = $1.54 each
Betty Crocker Supreme Bars $2.99 - $1.50 = $1.49
Eggo Fiber Plus Waffles $3.29 - $2.25 = $1.04
Lipton Tea 16 ct. Family Size Bags $1.29 -  $1.20 = .09
Smucker's Jam $2 - $1.65 = .35
Edge Shaving Cream $2.39 - $1.65 = .74
Chinet Dessert Plates $1.84 - $1.65 = .14
Knorr Pasta Sides $1 each - $1.50 off 2 = .50 for 2
Pampers 72 count Wipes $3.29 - $1.50 -.50 Digital coupon = $1.29
M&Ms $.99 - $2.25 off 2 = FREE
Kraft Salad Dressing $1.50 each - $1.65 = FREE
General Mills Cereal - Deal was $4 off when you buy 4 select GM Cereals

Here's the breakdown with the $4 off factored into the prices -

Honey Nut Cheerios $2.69 - $1.65 - .55 Digital coupon = .49
Cinnamon Toast Crunch $1.99 + Golden Grahams $1.79 X 2 = $3.58 - .75 Digital coupon - $1.50  off 3 = $3.32
*That's an average of $.95 per box! 

We used a $5 Register Reward from Walgreens so I look at as we got 1 Planter's Nutrition Bar, 1 pack of Butterball Turkey Bacon, Betty Crocker Supreme Bars, Eggo Fiber Plus Waffles, Lipton Tea 16 ct. Family Size Bags, Smucker's Jam, Edge Shaving Cream all for free! That's right, all those items add up to exactly $5 after coupons so with the RR they were free! We bought 21 items for only $10.91, that's an average of 52 cents per item!

I am extremely pleased with our savings this trip! From our 2 triple coupon trips we got $169.30 worth of groceries for only $46.76! That's 73.3% overall savings!

Savings to Date

Today I took on the challenge of calculating how much we have saved this month and how much we've saved since January just by using coupons. 

Here's what our figures are -

We spent $147.53
We saved $248.91
We took home 135 items and went to 1 movie
Average per item $1.03
Overall average of 59.3% savings!

I am not extremely thrilled with these results. My goal moving forward is to more picky about what sales I take advantage of and to stick with our monthly grocery budget. Our budget is $200 in groceries every month and in April we went over by a few dollars so my goal for this month is to not go over! Since we have a stockpile on things on hand, we will only have to buy meat and produce next month so just by not having to buy much groceries next month we will save money!  

Since January we have saved a grand total of $889.14 and that does not include how much we've saved when using coupons to eat out. My guess is we've saved another $30 when using coupons when we've eaten out at restaurants. It's neat to look at the break down of each month. I will say that I have gotten better at savings with sales and coupons since January, in fact this month has been my highest savings yet!

How much have you saved this month?

Triple Savings!

We got through our first ever triple coupon event at Harris Teeter. We walked out with $109.86 worth of groceries and we only paid $35.85, which is a total savings of 67%! I left with $74.01 still in my pocket! I won't go into detail on everything we bought, because I can't remember all the prices, but I will share the prices and deals for items I had written down on my list prior to my trip.

Welch's Concord Grape Jelly 32 oz. $2.69 - $1.65 = $1.04 each
Jolly Time Popcorn $2.79 - $1.50 = $1.29 each
Always Dri-Liners 50 count $2.50 - $1.50 - 50 cents digital coupon = 50 cents!
Mazola Cooking Spray $2.59 - $1.50 = $1.09
Keebler Ready Crust $1.50 each - $1.50 off 2 = $1.50 for 2
Special K Crackers $2.49 - $1.50 = 99 cents!
Best Life Butter Spread $2.59 - $1.50 = $1.09
Sara Lee Pound Cake $4.15 - $2.25 = $1.90
Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowl $2.89 - $1.65 = $1.24
Trop50 Lemonade $1.99 - $1.50 = 49 cents!
Stovetop Stuffing $2 - $1.50 = 50 cents!
Bagelfuls $2.85 - $1.65 = $1.20
Cologate Toothpaste $2.99 - $2.25 = 74 cents!
Ortega Taco Seasoning 99 cents - $1.50 off 2 = 48 cents for 2
Old El Paso Taco Seasoning $1 each - $1.80 off 3 = $1.20 for 3 packs!
Mueller's Pasta Noodles $1 each - $1 off = FREE!
Ortega Taco Seasoning 99 cents - $1 off = FREE!  

The greatest thing about the items we got is that with the last Super Doubles we got 6 boxes of taco shells and now with this Triple coupon trip we got 6 packs of taco seasoning to go with our tacos! We eat tacos once a week so having 6 taco kits on hand means we won't have to buy tacos for 6 weeks! The other great thing is we needed breakfast food and with this trip we were able to get Bagelfuls for $1.20 and the Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowl for $1.24 so that will last us a week.

My savings tip for this week is use digital coupons and stack them with manufacture coupons to maximize your savings! Harris Teeter and Kroger both offer digital coupons now. All you have to do is go on their website and sign up! If you already have their loyalty card then you're half way there! For HT you just sign up to become an eVic member and then on every Wednesday you'll receive an email with their specials for that week and you just click on the link in that email to load your card with digital coupons. Digital coupons do not double or triple and you can only buy the product one time to get the savings and then you have to load the coupon again, if it's 1 that will allow you to re-load onto your card. Since the digital coupon program is new, I would highly recommend printing out the list of what's on your card and then pay attention at the register and on your receipt to make sure you got your digital coupons taken off. If you didn't then go talk to customer service and show them your list of coupons loaded onto your card. They should give you a gift card or cash for the amount you should have saved.

If you have any tips or questions, please share them in the comments! 

N.T.'s Long Over Due Update

N. here.

I'm long over due for an update/entry into this blog. But truth be told not much out of the ordinary has been happening to me. But here is a very quick update. The small 70 person company I was working for got acquired by a huge 70,000 person company so we spent 2 months at our old site, then spent 2 weeks packing equipment, then after the moved we spent another 2 weeks unpacking and setting up equipment. So I was busy and extra tired those weeks. The move has doubled my commute and causes my wife and I to no longer carpool on the days we work. We're adjusting to this change, and fortunately my manager will allow me to work from home a day a week, so that will help.

I've been spending a lot of time in our backyard tearing down an old shed. The previous owners had a nice 10x12 shed in the back yard, unfortunately it was not properly waterproofed and taken care of. So there were rotted holes in the roof and rotted/termite damaged wood around the floor. So it had to come down, and not to mention by taking it down I'm hoping to fly my Ultra Micros in the backyard. This task proved to be more daunting than expected. Long story short: the roof didn't want to come down with only one corner and 3 walls weakened/missing and it's slow going pulling all the shingles and plywood for the roof off b/c nails are rusted and parts of the wood is rotted. I found an old mud dobber's nest in the shed that has to be the biggest mud dobber's nest I've seen. It was literally 1.5 times the size of my fist. Since it's old wood and I'm a boy (as my wife says) I like to burn things. So I've burned some of the wood, a big sheet of plywood goes up in a huge ball of fire! And I learned tar paper burns really well (excellent fire starter source) but gives off a huge cloud of black smoke. So I have to not burn that so much.

Model aviation wise, not much has been happening. I discovered a broken motor mount screw the last time out. Got that replaced recently, but discovered the gasket between the muffler and engine was broken. So that is next to be replaced. I acquired a new battery pack and charger for my largest plane. This week I've been cycling the pack to get going. Almost there, but still got some ways to go. I'm itching to get this plane running and in the air again, but I need to do it right to prevent problems.

Well, that's it until the next time I'm bored or have something really interesting to blog about.

Not Just Grocery Stores Have Savings!

Here are my favorite Target deals from this week

Ore-Ida Easy Fries Golden Crinkles (small box) $0.99
Use the $2/2 Ore-Ida Frozen Potato Items Target store coupon found
Final cost 2 for FREE!

Oscar Mayer Lunchables with Fruit $2.50
Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 5/15 SS
Final cost $1.50

KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce 18 oz on a Price Cut for $1.20
Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 5/15 SS
Final cost only 20 cents!

Market Pantry Refrigerated Pre-Sliced Bagels 6ct $1.24
Use the $1/2 Eggs AND English Muffins or Bagels Target store coupon
Final cost only 24 cents for the bagels (+ the cost of the eggs)

Lipton Tea Bags 16 ct. $1.09
Use the $1/2 Target store coupon
Final cost 59 cents each! So $1.18 for 32 bags of tea!

Dentyne Pure Herbal Mint Gum Single Pack $1.04
Use the $1/1 Target store coupon
Final cost 4 cents!!!!

John Frieda Hair Care products starting at $4.99
Use the $3/2 John Frieda Hair Care Items Target store coupon
Plus, stack with 2 $3/1 coupons found in the 5/1 SS
Final cost 49 cents each!

Up & Up 20 ct PantiLiners starting at $0.87
Use the $0.75/1 up & up Feminine Care Item Target store coupon
Final cost 12 cents!

Up & Up Pain Reliever 24 ct $0.99
Use the $1/1 up & up Pain Relief Item Target store coupon
Final cost FREE!

Up & Up Nail Polish Remover $0.97
Use the $0.50/1 up & up Beauty Items Target store coupon
Final cost 47 cents!

Travel Size Johnson & Johnson Red Cross First Aid Kits $0.97
Use the $1/2 coupon found in the 3/13 or 5/15 RP
Final cost 47cents! Great stocking stuffer or donation item!!

Digital 4X6 Prints $0.10
Use the $2/20 4×6 prints Target Store coupon
Final cost 20 FREE prints!

Spend $5.20 + Tax and get 16 items, 4 of which are FREE!  So you're looking at roughly an average of 34 cents per item! Not bad for just a few minutes of printing off coupons and buying the items in the store!

Savings this Week

Already this week I have gotten free bandages, another 89 cent Fusion razor, and a free pack of Tylenol pain relieving heat patches, and 2 free bags of M&Ms. I was thrilled to see that Walgreens is running the same deal on the Fusion razors this week so I couldn't pass up another 89 cent razor! My hubby and my brother both use only Fusion ProGlide razors so I know they will be put to good use! I was also excited to get 6 more bags of M&Ms...we'll have to see if we have the same odds as before with wining $3 off movie ticket coupons. Here's how I scored my free stuff at Walgreens.

Fusion ProGlide razors $9.89 - $5 RR - $4 Manufacture coupon = 89 cents

M&Ms on sale for 3 for $2 - Manufacture coupon Buy 2, Get 1 free

Tylenol Precise Pain Relieving Heat Patch 3 pack $7.99 - $3 Store coupon in May booklet - $5 off Manufacture coupon, found here - www.precisepainrelief.com/coupon = FREE

Nexcare Bandages on sale for $2.99 - $1 off Manufacture coupon = $1.99 then mail in rebate up to $3.99 per box of bandages, limit 3 packs for complete rebate offer. So in 8-10 weeks it's FREE!

Total cost before coupons = $30.02 
Total cost  = $7 
Total cost after 2 rebates for Nexcare bandages = 52 cents! 

You might be wondering how my math can be right. The check I will receive from Nexcare will be in the amount of $5.98 (2 packs at $2.99 each) even though I got $1 off each pack at the register.

Here is a picture of my trip so you can see the savings -

At Kroger this week I found some more great deals! The best deal was 19 cents for yellow corn! I also got 48 cans of soda for $8.98, which averages out to be 18.7 cents per can! I also managed to scored some FREE Kool-Aid. The thing to keep in mind when it comes to shopping at Kroger is not to get carried away with all the end caps and "sale" items. Kroger has been doing their mega 10 participating items event. How it works is you buy 10 participating items and you get 50 cents off per item. So you could buy 2 packs of pasta, 3 cans of soup, and 5 boxes of cereal to add up to your 10 participating items. This week here's what I got for my 10 participating items - (2) boxes of Healthy Harvest Pasta 49 cents each, (2) boxes of Captain Crunch cereal $1.99 each, but 99 cents per box after my coupon, (2) bottles of Kraft BBQ Sauce 59 cents per bottle, (2) Silk Milk $1.99 each, but 99 cents per carton after my coupon, (1) can of Ragu pasta sauce $1.29, and Pepperidge Farm dessert cake $1.99, $1.44 after my 55 cents off coupon. So I got 10 items for $8.85, an average of 88 cents per item! I noticed that the Kraft BBQ Sauce bottles had peel-off coupons so I peeled 1 off to see what it was. To my pleasant surprise it was for buy 2 Kraft BBQ Sauce bottles and save $2 on a canister of Kool-Aid or Country Lemonade. I went to the aisle with Kool-Aid and it was on sale for $2 so I got it for free! The cans of soda were on sale for $5.49 per 24 pack when you buy 2 and then I used the $2 off manufacture coupon from Sunday's paper 2 weeks ago, so it was $8.98 for two 24 packs.

For me the key to couponing is buying items you use and only buying what you have space to store while at the same time not exceeding your monthly or weekly budget. Yes, I said budget. If you don't have a budget then it's very easy for you to get carried away and spend more than what you use to spend before you started using coupons.

Already this week I have managed to save $65.20 and it only took me 2 hours to go shopping at Kroger and Walgreens.

My tip for this month - Stay focused on buying items that are on sale and that you have coupons for. Get in and get out without picking up any items that are not great deals. Even if it's something you need or use a lot, you might be able to find it cheaper somewhere else.

Leave a comment below if you've learned something new by reading this post!