Will Work For Ink Cartridges!

And another trip without ink cartridges to print my own coupons.  This is slightly sickening.  I'm not much a fan of spending $80 a week in groceries.  Picking my own coupons according to sales and what we actually need had my bill around $40-$50.  I'd eventually like to get my monthly grocery/take-out bill down to $100-$150 a month TOPS!  The fact that one lady on Extreme Couponing spent a whopping $6 for a month's worth of groceries to feed her family of 6 baffles me.  I'm not on that level, but I want to be.   

Anyhow, I did my grocery trip this past week with the coupons that I had clipped, received from Bi-Lo, and still had left in my binder after printing.  I broke my buggy down into two transactions of $50 or more to save an extra $10.  Also this week (at Bi-Lo), if you spent $25 or more in P & G products, you got an extra $0.25 in FuelPerks.  I filled my 19.2 gallon tank in my SUV up for $39.01 after this trip!

Transaction #1::
Mueller's Lasagna & Jumbo Shell Pasta 
2-6 packs Hershey's w/ Almonds candy bars 
HMB Buns
5 Packets of Kool-Aid 
Mr. Clean
2 Bottles of Liquid Tide (P & G Products)
2-3 Pack Packages of Pampers Wipes ( P & G Products)
4 Count Ivory Soap Bars (P & G Product)
Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Kraft Cheddar Shredded Cheese
Digiorno Pizza
3.88 Lb Pack of Ground Chuck
Head of Lettuce
Vidalia Onion

Subtotal Before Savings:: $88.17
My Savings (Including Coupons):: $33.29
Subtotal After Savings:: $54.88
Tax:: $1.81
Final Total:: $56.69


Transaction #2::

2 cans Manwich
1 jar Ragu spaghetti sauce
1 can Dinty Moore Beef Stew
1 box Apple Jacks
1 box Corn Pops
3 cans Bush's Baked Beans (Ibotta**: $0.50 back)
1 canister of Kool-Aid
1 can Chicken Broth
Mentos Gum (Kids can't resist it at checkout)
Mane & Tail Shampoo
Playtex Sport 18 ct Tampons (FREE**In Mail Coupon)
Kraft Italian Shredded Cheese
Bird's Eye Asian Veggies Steamfresh

Subtotal Before Savings:: $49.19
My Savings:: $19.72
Subtotal After Savings:: $29.47
Tax:: $0.67
Final Total:: $30.14


**Ibotta Coupon App available on Apple devices.  Certain offers & bonuses are available at certain times.  To redeem the offer, you simply scan barcodes & take a picture of your receipt & this money goes can be transferred to your PayPal account (and is NOT taxed!).  HIGHLY recommended for anyone who is looking to save the most money possible.

Ink Cartridges are being bought TODAY, Thank Goodness! Again, not my best trip, and hopefully soon i'll have a good enough trip to include a breakdown of how cheap I got things, or more free things!

Thanks again for reading!

No Ink Cartridges Still...BUT Awesome Luvs Diaper Deal!!

So it's finally starting to get under my skin that I don't have any ink left in my printer to print off coupons.  And the fact that I can save coupons to my loyalty cards keeps slipping my mind.  However, I did score some awesome deals this week.  

I will tell any parent who is tired of paying out ridiculous amounts on Luvs & Pampers diapers, sign up for Publix coupons, Publix Baby Club, and P & G coupons.  ALSO for stockingspree.com.  I get their seasonal booklets with up to $40 in coupons and in about every other booklet, they have a coupon for $10 off any 2 boxes of Luvs or Pampers diapers.  AWESOME Deal!  And for anybody who doesn't have a Publix nearby, Bi-Lo (my regular store) accepts competitor's coupons.

Okay, so onto my deals for this week::

2 Boxes of Luvs Size 4 Diapers 
    *Regular Price per box: $19.99
    *Sale Price per box: $17.99
    *Publix Coupon $10 off any 2 boxes of Luvs or Pampers diapers
    *Final Price for both boxes: $25.98
Febreeze Air Effects
    *Regular Price: $3.29
    *Sale Price: $1.97
    *MFR Coupon: $1.50 off any one
    *Final Price: $0.47
2 Bottles Palmolive Soft Touch Hand Soap
    *Regular Price per bottle: $3.99
    *Sale Price per bottle: $2.50
    *MFR coupon for $1/2 bottles
    *Final price per bottle: $2.00

Okay so i got a TON of stuff i had to pay full price or sale price for this week.  But my total before savings was $117.83 and I still have my $10 off any $50 purchase so I still managed to save $46.64 between sales and the 4 coupons I had.  Still getting the hang & will hopefully have a better list and total next time =)

This Week's Couponing Trip

So I'm a tad bit behind this week.  I made a trip to do my couponing on Monday but I've just now got around to doing this.  I got a few freebies this week.  I'm trying to apply a few more of the tips I've learned about Bi-Lo's couponing policies to my shopping there.  Anyways, here goes::

Transaction #1
*Hawaiian Punch Aloha Morning Berry 1 gallon 
       *Reg Price: $2.50
        *Sale Price: $2.00
          *Target Coupon For $1.00 
            MFR Coupon: $1.10
           *Final Price: FREE
*3 Boxes Poptarts 
        *Reg Price For All Boxes: $7.44
         *Sale Price For All Boxes: $6.00
          *2 Bilo Catalinas For $1.00 off
           *Final Price: $4.00 for 3 Boxes, One Box FREE
*4 Boxes Kellogg's Fruit Gummies
        *Reg Price For All Boxes: $11.96
          *Sale Price For All Boxes: $10.00
            *Target Coupon For $1.00 off 3 boxes
              *Final Price: $9.00 for 4 boxes
*2 12 Packs of Cottonelle Toilet Paper & 1 Tub Cottonelle Flushable Wipes
          *Reg Price For Both Packs TP: $19.96
            *Sale Price For Both Packs TP: $12.00
              *Reg Price For Tub of Wipes: $2.77 (Not on Sale)
                *Price for 2 Packs TP & Tub of Wipes: $14.77
                *Coupons: $1.50 MFR for 12 pack & tub of wipes 
                                   $0.50 MFR TP
                                   $0.50 MFR Wipes
                                   $1.00 Ingles Catalina off TP
                                   $1.00 Bilo Catalina off TP 
                 *Final Price on TP & Wipes: $10.27
*Pampers 212 Count Wipes
            *Reg Price: $7.58
              *Sale Price: $6.38
               *MFR Coupon: $2.00
                 *Final Price: $4.38
*4 Boxes 12 Count Go-Gurt          
             *Reg Price For All: $11.96 (Not on Sale)
              *2 MFR Coupons For $0.75
               *Final Price: $10.46
*DiGiorno Rising Crust Pizza
             *Reg Price: $7.38
              *Sale Price: $5.00
                *MFR Coupon $1.50
                  Target Coupon $0.50
                 *Final Price: $3.50
*1 lb Ground Turkey
              *Reg Price: $4.79
                *Sale & Final Price: $3.99
*2 packs Oscar Meyer Turkey Weenies
              *Reg Price for both: $10.78
                *Sale Price for both: $7.98
                  *2 Target Coupons for $0.75
*Bi-Lo Coupon For $10.00 off $50.00 purchase

*Subtotal Before Savings: $87.12
*My Savings: $48.89
*Subtotal After Savings:  $38.23
*Tax: $1.18
*Paid: $39.41

Transaction #2
*3  8 oz bottles Kraft Salad Dressing
             *Reg Price per bottle: $2.09
              *Sale & Final Price per bottle: $1.00
*Ruffles Potato Chips
             *Reg Price: $4.29 
               *Sale & Final Price: $2.50
*Hot Dog Buns
             *Reg & Final Price: $0.99
*3 Cans Dinty Moore Beef Stew
             *Reg Price per can: $2.99
              *Sale & Final Price per can: $2.50
*1 box Corn Pops & Froot Loops Cereal BOGO
             *Reg Price per box: $4.44
                *Sale & Final Price per box: $2.22]
*2 Packs Mentos Gum
             *Reg Price for both: $3.16
               *Sale & Final  Price for both: $1.00
*Febreeze Air Effects
              *Reg Price: $3.29
               *Sale Price: $3.00
                *MFR Coupon $1.50
                 *Final Price: $1.50
*8 Cups Chobani Yogurt
              *Reg Price per cup: $2.78 
               *Sale Price per cup: $1.00 
*Broccoli Crowns
              *Reg Price: $2.34
              *Sale & Final Price: 0.93
*2 Zucchini
               *Reg Price: $1.73
                 *Sale & Final Price: $1.12
*2 Squash
               *Reg Price: $1.81
                *Sale Price: $1.17
*Bi-Lo Coupon for $5.00 off $35.00 purchase

*Subtotal Before Savings: $52.70
*My Savings: $24.21
*Subtotal After Savings: $28.49
*Tax: $.18
*Paid: $28.67

     

$139.82 of Groceries for $68.08

              

My Super Easy, Super Cheap, Super Yummy Supper

So about a year ago, when I had more time for Pinterest, I found this recipe i wanted to try.  It was a mexican dish with Jumbo Shells.  I searched every store i went in but they only had the "Large Seashells" about the size of elbow macaroni.  
Monday, I finally found the shells I'd been looking for at Bi-Lo.  My only problem was, after all of this time spent searching, now my pin had been lost.  Instead of spending hours looking for the recipe I wanted, I devised my own::

Ingredients:
1.25 lbs Ground Chuck
1 12 oz Box Mueller's Jumbo Shells
1 small onion
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
2 cups shredded cheese (I prefer block cheese)
1 can Manwich

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees before starting.
First you start by browning your ground chuck, boiling your shells & sauteeing your veggies. 
When that is done, drain all grease & water from them.  Then take the shells and line them with cheese.  Then you add the hamburger meat, followed by the sauteed veggies.  I lined all my shells up in a baking dish, then topped them with the Manwich.  
Then, put the dish in the oven & bake for 10 minutes.
Let cool about 5-10 minutes (who likes super hot cheese??) & enjoy.  

Super Cheap and Easy meal and amazingly yummy.  My husband is a picky eater and LOVED this.  Hope you do as well.

Extreme Couponing Deals For The Week

So this week I didn't have the absolute cheapest trip ( I HAD to take advantage of the deals on ground beef) ever but i saved a TON still.  I got several things for half price or close.  I've also learned recently a trick to couponing at Bi-Lo & saving a little extra cash.  When they have BOGO sales, if you look at your receipt, they're still charging you for both items.  However, they only charge you for half the price of one per item.  So, my example is Mt. Olive Pickles.  Regular Price $3.49.  My receipt shows the price I pay is $1.74 per jar on BOGO (Which you have to pay close attention, different variations may not be tagged as BOGO but still be included in the sale).  So since you are being charged for both items still, you can use coupons on both items to reduce the price you end up paying.  Just learned this one & thought I'd share ;)

Okay, so on to my transaction.  Please keep in mind, I SHOULD have broken it down into two transactions.  I had two of the SUPER saver Bi-Lo coupons from the mail.  However, I had two rowdy children in a racecar buggy and forgot to break it down until she had begun scanning.  Note to self for future trips: Be More Patient, Save More $$$$!!

*Mt. Olive Mini Stuffers Hamburger Dill Pickle Slices (the BEST pickles, by the way) 

     -Regular Price: $3.49    
     -Sale Price on BOGO (again, NOT labeled so I didn't know to grab more jars): $1.74
     -No Coupons
*Colors Goldfish
     -Regular Price: $2.49
     -Sale Price: $1.98
     -No Coupons
*Betty Crocker Gummies (2 boxes)
     -Regular Price per box: $2.89
     -Sale Price per box: $1.99
     -No coupons
*Kraft Salad Dressing 16 oz Bottles (2 bottles)
     -Regular Price per bottle: $4.59 
     -Sale Price per bottle: $3.00
     -Target Coupon: $1.00 off 2 16 oz bottles
     -Final Price: $5.00 for both bottles
*Mueller's Jumbo Shells Pasta 12 oz box
     -Regular Price: $2.29
     -Sale Price: $1.89
     -MFR Coupon: $0.55 off one box
     -Final Price: $1.34
*Mueller's Bowtie Pasta & Rotini ( 1 box per variation)
    -Regular Price per box: $1.88 
    -Sale Price per box: $0.94
    -MFR Coupon: $0.55 off each box
    -Final Price: $0.39 per box
*Mueller's Spaghetti & Elbows (1 box per variation)
    -Regular Price per box: $1.79 
    -Sale Price per box: $0.89
    -MFR Coupon: $0.55 off each box
    -Final Price: $0.34 per box
*2 Cans Dinty Moore Beef Stew
    -Regular Price per can: $2.99
    -No Coupons
*2 Bags M & M's
    -Regular Price per bag: $0.99 
    -Sale Price per bag: $0.49
    -No Coupons
 *3 Milky Way Candy Bars
    -Regular Price per bar: $0.99 
    -Sale Price per bar: $0.49
    -No Coupons
*3- 3 Musketeers Candy Bars
    -Regular Price per bar: $0.99
    -Sale Price per bar: $0.49
    -No coupons
*2 Packs Ritz Crackers (BOGO)
   -Regular Price per box: $3.99
   -Sale Price per box: $1.99
   -Bi-Lo Catalina: $1.00 off any cookie or cracker purchase
   -Final Price: $1.99 for one box, $0.99 for the other
*2 Bottles of A1 Steak Sauce (BOGO)
   -Regular Price per bottle: $4.49
   -Sale Price per bottle: $2.24
   -Coupons.com MFR Coupon: $0.55 off one bottle (2 Coupons)
   -Final Price: $1.69 per bottle
*2 Packs Arnold Sandwich Thins Bread (BOGO)
   -Regular price per pack: $3.89
   -Sale Price per pack: $1.94
   -No Coupons
*5 Cans Starkist Tuna 
   -Regular Price per can: $1.09
   -Sale Price per can: $1.00
   -No Coupons
*Cocoa Pebbles
   -Regular Price: $3.45
   -Sale Price: $1.85
   -IBotta Offer Redeemed: $0.50
*Huggies Big Pack Size 4, 60 Count & Huggies Wipes Tub, 64 Count
   -Regular Price for diapers: $20.98
   -Regular Price for wipes: $3.28
   -Regular Price for both: $24.26
   -Sale Price for diapers: $19.99
   -Sale Price for wipes: $2.50
   -Total Sale Price: $22.49
   -Target Coupon: $1.50 WYB 1 Big Pack Huggies Diapers & 1 Pack Huggies Wipes
   -Food Lion Catalina: $4.00 off WYB 1 Box Huggies Diapers & 1 Pack Huggies Wipes
   -MFR Coupon: $1.00 Huggies Big Pack Diapers
   -MFR Coupon: $0.50 Huggies Wipes
   -Price for both after coupons: $15.49
*Brita 3 Pack Replacement Water Filters
   -Regular Price: $29.99
   -Sale Price: $19.99
   -$3.00 MFR Coupon
   -Final Price: $16.99
*2 Packs Ensure
   -Regular Price per pack:$8.99
   -$1.25 MFR Coupon (2 coupons)
   -Final Price per pack: $7.74
*2 Tubs Cool Whip (BOGO)
   -Regular Price per tub: $2.00
   -Sale Price per tub: $1.00
   -No coupons
*3.40 lbs Ground Chuck
   -Regular Price for pack: $13.91
   -Sale Price for pack: $8.47

Subtotal Before Savings: $168.25
My Savings & Coupons: $81.58
Subtotal After Savings: $86.67
Tax: $2.52
Final Total: $89.19

Again, not my best trip.  Not my goal trip.  But I saved a good bit this past trip.  I hope to remember to be more attentive & patient my next trip & have a much lower total for my next post.  Our goal is to get our household budget for groceries and fast food consumption to about $250.00 or less (i'd prefer MUCH less) a month.  We have been around $500.00 a month in the past, so we've made an improvement so far.  

I look forward to ridiculous trips where I get freebies and moneymakers in the future ;)
   

ABCmouse.com = Awesome Tool for Preschoolers

Chances are, if you've ever watched PBS for about an hour or two, you've seen an ABCmouse.com commercial.  We've been watching PBS for almost four years before I seriously checked them out.  I had seen they were doing a month free about a month and a half ago, so of course we jumped on it.  

The first day that I had set up an account, Kade wanted to play for two hours.  We normally don't let him get on the computer and just play, for the sole purposes of A) he's probably going to delete something he shouldn't and B) he may get online and see things he doesn't need to.  Needless to say he wasn't very coordinated and quick with the mouse when we started.  Since we've started our account, he spends no less than an hour or two on it.  He is also VERY coordinated with the mouse and beats some of these fast games.  He is currently on Level One for the 3 year olds and is at 55%.  He just thinks he's having fun and learning.  Beforehand, he already knew his shapes, colors, numbers & alphabet.  But now he's learning the concept of having to have so many tickets to buy an item in their little stores.  And often, he has to do a few more games, puzzles, etc. to get what it is that he wants.  And let me just say that getting his tickets for completing activities is so much more rewarding to him than I could ever imagine!  

To any parent considering, it's definitely worth it.  You can sign up by month or commit to a year (which we have gone ahead on).  The current price for a year is $59.  It's beyond worth it to see the new things they learn and to see them actually want to learn. 

And Some More Couponing...

So over the course of the weekend, my daddy & aunt both gave me some amazing coupons for Bilo.  One for $10 off a $50 purchase & the other for $5 off a $35 purchase.  I clipped coupons from my Greenville paper & got a few off coupons.com and planned my trip out.  I split my groceries into two transactions so i could use both of the big Bilo coupons. Today i also managed to get a freebie!!

And here's what i managed to get on my trip today. 

Transaction #1::
2 Loaves of Goldfish Honey Whole Wheat Bread ($2.79 per loaf; $5.58 for both; $1 MFR coupon off two loaves; Final Price: $4.58)
Mueller's Spaghetti, Bowtie Pasta, Fettuccine, Large Seashell Pasta (Reg. Price per box: $1.88; BOGO Price for all 4 boxes: $3.76, 2 Coupons: $0.55 MFR coupon off one box, each double; Final Price: $1.56)
1 Bag of Quaker Cheddar Cheese Poppers Rice Cakes (Reg. Price:$1.89; Sale Price: $1.00; Coupon for $0.55 MFR coupon off 1 bag, doubled = FREE)
Ragu (Full Price: $2.29)
2 Boxes of Kellogg's Fruit Gummies (Reg. Price: $2.99 per box; Sale Price: $5.00 for both boxes)
Kellogg's Froot Loops (Full Price: $4.29)
Ziploc Sandwich Bags (Reg. Price: $2.38; Coupon: $0.40, doubled; Final Price: $1.58)
Luvs Diapers Big Pack (Box) (Reg. Price: $19.99; Sale Price: $16.97; Coupons: $3.00 Publix Baby Club Coupon & $1.00 Luvs MFR coupon; Final price: $12.97)
Split Breast Chicken (Reg. Price: $ 14.36 for my particular pack; Sale Price: $4.92)
Cube Steak (Reg. Price: $5.39 for my pack; Sale Price: $4.63)
Tennessee Pride Sausage (Reg. Price: $4.79; Sale Price: $2.50)
2 Onions (Full Price: $2.60)
Deli Plate (Full Price: $5.00)
**$10.00 off $50.00 purchase coupon

My Subtotal Before Savings: $81.97
My Savings: $43.04
My Subtotal After Savings: $38.93
Tax: $1.40
My Total: $40.33

Transaction #2::

Kraft 1000 Island Dressing (Reg. Price: $4.59; Sale Price: $3.00)
Mentos Gum (Full Price: $1.42)
Dr. Pepper 2 Liter (Reg. Price: $1.79; Sale Price: $1.00)
2 Jars Southern Home Alfredo Sauce (Reg. Price: $3.58 for both jars; Sale Price: $3.00 for both)
Madagascar Gummies (Full Price: $1.49)
Charmin 12 Pack (Reg. Price: $9.77; Sale Price: $8.99; Coupon: $1.00 off Bilo Catalina; Final Price: $7.99)
4 Packs Ensure (Regular Price for all packs: $35.96; Sale Price for all: $31.96; Coupons: $5.00/2 pack MFR & $3.00/2 pack Bilo Catalina; Final Price: $23.96)
2 Pet Ice Cream 1/2 Gallons (Reg. Price: $11.98; Sale Price BOGO: $5.98; Coupons: $1.00 Pet MFR & $1.00 off Bilo Catalina; Final Price: $3.98)
**$5.00 off $35.00 purchase

My Subtotal Before Savings: $70.58
My Savings: $29.74
My Subtotal Before Savings: $40.84
Tax: $0.48
My Final Total: $41.32

Between Both Transactions I Spent: $152.55

I Saved Between Both Transactions: $72.78

My Final Total Was: $81.65

I'm hoping I can get my next trip MUCH lower than this but some of these deals were too hard to pass up & I didn't have a coupon for everything I bought.  Stay tuned next week WILL be better!