November 9, 2009
I apologize for my absence last week. First, my daughter was sick, so I played nurse to her for the week. Then, I got really sick and was stuck on the couch or in bed for about 5 days straight. It was horrible. The good news is that I didn’t even have to purchase many groceries that week. I may have bought milk and a couple of odds and ends that didn’t total more than $10.
This week is a totally different story! Shaws is having a huge CAT sale. It’s a spend $30 get back $15 promotion, and I’m stocking up! When you factor in coupons and sales, lots and lots of items are close to free or moneymakers. You can read all about the deals here and here.
Needless to say, to get started with rolling the CATs, I spent my weekly grocery budget, and then some, the very first day; however, I’m really stocking up on items we will definitely use, and that will save money in the end. I’m going to keep rolling and rolling all week long, trying to keep my OOP expenses as low as possible.
I also came across some great markdowns on meats during the week, and I spent about $30 on $100 worth of chicken and beef. I hate that I’ve spent so much of my $300 already, but I think it will all even out in the end. I hope it does!
I’m going to set aside some time to total all of my receipts so I can keep an accurate tally of money spent.
October 31, 2009
My Holiday Challenge has officially begun with yesterday’s shopping trip at Shaws. I spent a whopping $1.83 in cash for all that you see in the above photo.
Here’s the breakdown:
Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks: $1.88/ea; used $1/1 Blinkie x2 or found here = $.88/ea or $1.76
Jolly Time Popcorn: B1G1 at $2.69/ea; used $1/1 found here x2 = $.34/ea or $.69
5 Boxes BC Fruit Snacks: 4/$1.25; used $.40/1 doubled x2 and $.50/2 doubled from here and here= $3.65 (produced $3.50 cat for buying 5)
2 Rotel: $.88/ea; used $.50/1 doubled x2 from here = $.24 moneymaker
2 cans Hunts: $.88/ea; used $.50/2 doubled from here or here= $.76
2 cans Pumpkin: $1.98
2 pkgs Keebler sandwich crackers: $1.88/ea; used $.75/1 doubled and $.55/1 found here= $.58/ea or $1.16
1.5 lb apples: $1.93
1 Gallon Milk: $2.99
1 Graham Cracker Crust: $1.00
1 Pepperidge Farm Sandwich Flats: $2.99; used $.75/cat doubled = $1.49
Total OOP After Cats and Coupons: $1.83
I did spend $17.50 in cats that I had previously earned, but I did get back $3.50 in cats. Add that to the $10 cat I still have left, and it leaves me with $13.50 in cats. Unfortunately, there’s not much going on this week at Shaws where I can roll the cats, so I’m going to have to get creative to keep this week’s budget down.
A lot of the items we didn’t really need, especially the fruit snacks because we have enough to last us over a year; however, the fruit snacks were actually a moneymaker with coupons and the $3.50 cat they produced. Also, our cereal stash is getting pretty low. I found this out the other night when we were left without power at dinner time. There was very little that DH and DD liked, and whatever we did have, they finished. So, I’m working on building my cereal stockpile back up.
How did you do on your first trip of the challenge?
October 29, 2009
As of tomorrow, Friday, October 30, there are 8 weeks until Christmas. Where did the past year go? For me, grocery shopping can get a little out of control around this time of year with Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the gatherings in between. Plus, if you ask DH, he’ll no doubt say that I go a little overboard (but if you ask me, I’ll tell you differently).
I’m throwing out a little challenge for myself: From now until Christmas, I will only spend $300 on all groceries. This breaks down to just $37.50/week.
For most of this past year when I was really working on my stockpile and couponing, I was spending just $40/week on groceries for our family. As I stopped couponing, I found myself running to the market just to buy a few things, and over the course of a week I was spending almost $100…and we had LESS food in the house. So, that stops now. That extra money each week will really help with all of the Christmas gifts we’re going to be buying. $60×8 = $480!!!
I’m not really sure what the plans are for our Thanksgiving dinner. Usually, we go to my SIL’s house, but we are responsible for a few things such as rolls, corn, stuffing, and a dessert or two. If that’s the case, my budget should be fine since I can make those items inexpensively. If we have Thanksgiving dinner, it may be a challenge, but I’m up for it! Christmas is usually the same, but we have it at my MIL’s house.
Here’s the plan:
- I will be posting about each trip that we make to the grocery store or any other edible grocery purchases at places such as Target and Walmart.
- I will post the amount spent and how I paid for each transaction (such as coupons, catalina’s, etc.)
- I will be starting with $27.50 in Cats from previous purchases
- I can purchase whatever I need to make the money stretch the farthest. If this means spending $10 cash to acquire products plus Cats in return, then that is what I’ll do. As long as the amount of cash spent over the next 8 weeks does not exceed $300, this will be a successful challenge.
- I will keep track of remaining cash on my sidebar.
- I can use any items from my stockpile; however, please note that my stockpile really isn’t huge at the moment.
Anyone else want to join me in this challenge? You can make your budget more or less to suit your needs. Let’s see if we can do this and save some $$$ over the holidays!
October 28, 2009
There’s a new B1G1 coupon out at Right @ Home for Glade Soy Based Candles. Click here for the coupon. I really love these candles, and this coupon should work nicely with a sale.
There’s also a $3/2 coupon here that you could pair up with the B1G1 coupon on those you’re not getting free. Just buy 4, get 2 free and save $3 on the 2 you’re paying for. Be careful, though. On one computer, I printed the $3/2 coupon first and was unable to print the B1G1.
(Thanks, hip2save!)
October 27, 2009
Just sign up for Moms Meet Online here, and you’ll receive a FREE 1-year subscription to Kiwi Magazine. Besides the free magazine, I think the Moms Meet Online site looks really neat. I really used my online moms group (not this service, but I think it’s similar) for support during my pregnancy and when my daughter was first born. Definitely a valuable resource.
October 27, 2009
Kodak is offering 1 million Free $15 Photo Gifts. Click here for more info. You will still have to pay shipping, but $15 is $15!
I love photos, and I love free photos even more! I take every opportunity I can get for free or inexpensive photo gifts or prints and give them away as gifts, especially around the holidays. Each of my daughter’s great-grandmothers gets a photo book highlighting the events of the past year. Even if they can’t be there for all of the special occasions, it makes them feel special to see photos from them.
October 27, 2009
I love Children’s Place coupons! Click here or the above graphic to get a 15% off coupon. You can use these coupons on already reduced merchandise, too! I love it when they have sales where markdown items are an additional 30%, 40% and even 50% off. Then, use your 15% off coupon for some really inexpensive children’s clothing.
October 27, 2009
Just go into VS before Nov. 15, for a bra fitting and receive a FREE Beauty Rush Lipgloss. No Purchase Necessary. More details here.
October 27, 2009
Just go on over here to fill out a short survey and snag a free bottle of Old Orchard Juice. This is a GREAT freebie, IMO. You’ll receive a coupon for 1 free bottle in the mail in a few weeks.
October 26, 2009
Yum! I love free samples like this one. They come in extra handy on those cold afternoons when you need a little something warm. Just go on over here and fill out the short form. Your free sample will arrive in 2-4 weeks. I expect this one will reach its limit fast, so hurry!
5th Card Gone!!!
