My Stop & Shop Loot (Cheap Candy, Saved over $40!)

33 different candies

Price Before Sale:  $45.98

Price Paid:  $4.62

Pez - Regular: $1.59, Sale: 16 cents

Haribo Gummies - Regular: $1.50, Sale: 15 cents

Fruit Tic Tacs - Regular: $1.09, Sale: 11 cents

Why do I need this crap?  Because I, for some unknown, psychotic reason have made individual piñata goodie bags for my son's party.  They aren't done yet, but here's a preview:

Stop & Shop Run Yesterday (Saved $115)

Did a great Stop & Shop run yesterday.  Got $227 worth of groceries for $112 (saved $115).  Used a bunch of coupons (over $50 worth).  These sales are good through today, so here are some of the things that I scored on with coupons:

4 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergents (each 50 loads) - BOGO @$5.99 ea.  Used 2 $1/2 MFCs from paper, making them $2.50 each

2 McCormick Seasoning Packs - $1 (2 $.50/1 printable (doubles) Coupon Thanks Maven of Savin!)  FREE!

2 2oz. Tabasco Sauces - $1 (2 $.50/1 printable (doubles) Coupon Thanks Maven of Savin!)

6 cans Dole Pineapple - $1.25 (2 $1/3 MFCs) .93 cents each

4 Wonka Candies - $1 each (2 .75/2 MFCs that both doubled) .25 cents each

Dozen Land O'Lakes Eggs - $3.19 (.75/1 MFC doubled) 1.69

8 boxes of Kellogg's Cereal - had some coupons and came to $1.48 a box.

Duncan Hines Cake Mix - $1.25 ($1/2 MFC) .75 each.

Friendship Cottage Cheese - $1.78 (.55/1 MFC Doubled) .68 cents

2 Uncrustables - $2.19 each (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1.19 each

Torn Between Two Lovers: Shaw's Grocery Game vs. Stop & Shop Gas Points

I'm torn between two lovers these days.  Let me explain....

Lover #1:

Shaw's "Wish Big, Win Big Game"  (I pride myself in earning 56 game pieces in a single shopping trip a few weeks back...)

Lover #2:

Stop & Shop's Gas Points/the Addition of a Stop & Shop gas station in Quincy, MA.  

What is a homemaker to do?  I love the thrill and excitement of Shaw's mini-gambling thing going on.  But I also love to save money on gas.  Stop & Shop gas is already super cheap, so being able to nab gallons of it for under $3/gallon makes me all giddy.  

Shaw's Wish Big, Win Big sweepstakes ends February 9th - so maybe I'll just get my legalized gambling on until then.  I haven't won anything yet...but gosh darn it, I'm close!  

Great Weight Watchers Meal with Deals from Stop & Shop This Week!

Hello from the world's most slack-tastic blogger!  Let's update the world on me.  For starters, I haven't been to Shaw's in MONTHS!  Seriously.  I have done what I swore I'd never do - I have crossed over to Stop & Shop.  Why?  I don't know.  As for my Weight Watcher ways.  Well around May, I hit the 20 pounds loss mark (my goal is 25 pounds).  I even hit 23 there for a while - but I've been a real WW slacker the past month or two (the only consistent thing in my life is being a slacker).  Well I went back yesterday after not going for 3 weeks - and happily - I was only up 1/2 a pound and still only 4 pounds away from my goal.  So now is the time I have to really get cracking on this.

I went to Stop & Shop yesterday and today, created a great 5.5 point meal that is worthy of me coming out of my blog funk.  All stuff is on sale at Stop & Shop this week.

Taco Chicken Wrap (5.5 points)
1 Cedar's Whole Wheat Wrap (1 point) - BOGO Free @ $3.49 this week
4 oz. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (3.5 points) - $1.79/lb
1 tsp. Taco Seasoning (0 points) - I highly recommend buying a big old tub of this at BJ's.  It's $5.99, but they send out $1.50 off coupons all the time.  The packets are a real rip off.
1 tsp. Olive Oil (1 point) - $4.99 for S&S's 17 oz bottle this week (if you're running low)
1/2 cup frozen pepper strips (0 points) - Stop & Shop brand is only $1.50 for a 1 pound bag of frozen pepper strips!  I ALWAYS have these in the house.
Some lettuce (0 points) - 3 Romaine Hearts are $2.50 this week
4 cut up Grape tomatoes (0 points) - $2.50 per pint this week

Heat oil in small skillet.  Rub your chicken with the taco seasoning.  Cook chicken and add peppers.  Saute until done.  Prep your wrap by putting it on a plate and add lettuce and tomato.  Schlop the chicken/pepper mixture on it.  Roll it up and eat!  It's huge and healthy!

Another alternative to this is to decrease chicken to 2 oz. (2 points) and add 1/4 cup of cooked Minute Brown Rice (1 point).  This is on sale at Stop & Shop this week for $2 a box.  There was a coupon in the paper a while back for .75/1 Minute Brown Rice.  This will double making a box of brown instant rice only .50 cents!  Using rice and half the chicken makes the wrap only 5 points instead of 5.5.  If you want to spend a little more, you can add a little low fat sour cream (I just got my free container of Hood sour cream from that Facebook coupon!).  Using rice & sour cream would make this more of a dinner burrito vs. a sandwich wrap.  I'm a huge fan of Moe's (and Chipolte, and every other burrito joint around) - so this is a great alternative to those places!

Here are some other things I scored at Stop & Shop with coupons this week:

1 Act Mouthwash - $3.99 ($2/1 MFC)  $1.99

Stacy's Pita Chips - $2.50 (.75/1 MFC DOUBLES) $1.00

Perri Sausage - $2.50 (.55/1 MFC DOUBLES) $1.40

Welch's refridgerated Juice - $2.50 (.75/1 DOUBLES) $1.00

Tropicana OJ - $3 ($1/2 MFC) $2 ea.

Turkey Hill Dynamic Duos Ice Cream - $1.99 ea ($1/2 MFC) $1.49 ea

Yoplait Yogurts - 14 at .60 cents ea.  Used 2 "Buy 6, Get One Free"

Activia - $2 ($1/1 MFC in this week's paper) $1

Starkist Tuna Pouches - $1 ea ($1/2 MFC from paper) .50 ea (My stupid butt bought tuna in oil!  Yuck!  I'll pawn it off on the husband!)

Sargento Stringsters - $3.99 ea ($3/2 MFC) $2.50 ea - Not great, but my kids dig cheese sticks.

Hebrew National Hot Dogs - BOGO ($1/2 MFC) I forgot how much these are.  $4.49?  $5.49?  Who knows.

I really buy a lot of fruit and vegetables now.  I usually only cook with frozen vegetables but stock up on salad and sandwich vegetables.  If you knew how much I spent weekly on fruit now, you'd tell me I have no business having a "bargain" blog.  To which I would respond, "I don't care."

$58 Becomes $27 at Stop & Shop Today

I hooked up Stop & Shop for a few necessities that we ran out of (i.e. bread, syrup, produce).  Here are a few deals I scored along the way:

-  Used my 5% off coupon from that Nature's Promise mailing (put it on top of your coupon stack for extra savings).  Saved me $2.29.

- Free Nature's Promise cookies with coupon from mailing.

-  Gulden's Mustard - Sale $1.  There was a BOGO Free MFC in the paper 2 weeks ago.  These are normally $1.79 each.  So .50 each is pretty good.

-  French's Yellow Mustard - 2/$3.  Used $1/2 MFC from paper this week for $1 ea (we must eat a lot of mustard in this house).

-  Ronzoni Smart Taste - Sale $1.  There is a $1/1 MFC in the June Parents magazine.  This was FREE!

-  Weight Watchers Cream Cheese - $2.04.  Used $1/1 MFC from WW flyer at meeting.  $1.04.

-  2 Bush's Grillin' Beans.  $1.67 ea ($1/2 MFC from paper).  $1.17 ea. Some varieties are lower cal/lower fat than others so just look at the labels really quick.  I got some Texas Ranchero variety.

-  Renuzit Crystal Elements.  $5.39.  Had $3/1 MFC from paper and a $1/1 Jimmy Fund Coupon.  $1.39.  This is just crap I didn't need but coupons made me buy it. 

-  Banquet Mac & Cheese - $1.  Had a FREE Banquet Meal winner from a Jimmy Fund Ticket.

-  KC Masterpiece BBQ  Sauce.  $1.79.  $1/1 MFC from paper.  .79 cents for some finger lickin' good BBQ Sauce.

-  Hebrew National Hot Dogs - BOGO Free @ $4.99 ea ($1/1 MFC from the paper this week)

-  Mezzetta Pepperoncinis - $2.79 (.50/1 MFC from All You Magazine DOUBLES) $1.79

Another highlight from this trip was being behind the biggest snob of all.  It amazes me how rude some people can be.  She was just mean to the cashier, mean to the bagger, complaining about the produce quality (as if the cashier can control that or even cares...).  Then she went off about how flimsy the paper bags are.  I  don't think the ginormous stick in her ass could get wedged any higher if she tried.  But on the flip side, she was really ugly (God bless her husband because I would shoot myself if I had to look at her face everyday)...but I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles. 

Stop & Shop Run

Total Before Savings:  $57.35

Total S&S Savings:  $18.11

Total Coupons Used:  $17.90

Cash OOP:  $21.41

Good Sale/Coupon Stuff

2 Wacky Mac - $1 (2 .50/2 MFCs printed from RedPlum.com) FREE!

1 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest - $2 (.75/1 MFC should DOUBLE, but cashier manually put it in as $2 off.  Not sure why).  .50 or in my case, FREE!

2 Tropicana OJ - $1.99 ($1/2 MFC from paper, $1 S&S Doubler) .99 ea

1 Banquet Meal - $1 (I won this with a Jimmy Fund ticket my mother gave me) FREE!

4 Weight Watcher Ice Cream Cup Packs - $2 ea (2 .55/2 MFCs from various WW mags/flyers DOUBLE) $1.45 ea.

1 roll Marcel Green Steps - $2.19 ($1/1 MFC from paper, $1 S&S Doubler) .19 cents

2 packs Ball Park Beef Franks - BOGO Free at $4.49 ea ($1/2 MFC from paper, $1 S&S Doubler)  $1.25 ea

2 packs Ball Park Angus Franks - BOGO Free at $4.59 ea (2 .55/1 MFCs DOUBLE from RedPlum.com)  $1.20 ea

Things I actually needed or splurged on

Fillipo Berrio Olive Oil - $5.99 ($1/1 from Coupons.com)  $4.99

2 bags of frozen green peppers - $1 ea

1 box of Popsicles - $3

Stop & Shop Trip

Now I know why I never take a picture of my groceries on the counter top...

Total Before Savings:  $171.25

Total S&S Savings:  $59.70

Total Coupon Savings:  $15.75

Cash OOP:  $95.80

Highlights:

4 Hillshire Farms TURKEY Kielbasa - BOGO Free @ $4.39 ea (2 $1/2 MFCs) $$1.70 ea (2 oz. equals 2 WW points)

3 Sargento Cheeses - $2.50 ea (1 $1/2 MFC and 1 $1/1 MFC)

20 Yoplait Yogurts - .50 ea (3 FREE MFCs & a $2 CAT for buying 20)

Dole Apple Crisp Thing - $2 in the fruit isle ($1/1 MFC from paper) $1.  This is AWESOME!  I love apple desserts.  3 WW points.

2 Weight Watcher Ice Cream Cups - $2.50 ea (.75/2 MFC from WW book some week...this DOUBLES) $3.50 for 2 packs

Weight Watcher Cream Cheese - $2 ($1/1 MFC from Weight Watchers booklet) $1

Trop50 OJ - $3 (2 $1/1 MFCs from paper) $2 ea

Jiffy Pop Healthy Pop - $2 ($1/2 MFC from WW booklet) $1.50 ea (1 point per bag)

Dole Fruit Cups - $2 ea ($.75/2 MFC from All You Magazine DOUBLES) $2.50 for 2

3 Weight Watchers Yogurts - .75 ea (B2G1 Free MFC from Weight Watchers Book) .50 cents ea (1 point ea)

I bought 8 packs of "meat" that had coupons on them.  My favorite find was some Spinach and Feta Chicken Sausage.  Each link is 3 points.  Combine 1 link with 2 oz. dry whole wheat (or high fiber pasta) and 1/4 cup of tomato sauce or other vegetable based thing, then you have an awesome dinner that's about 7 points. 

So I was really happy with my first major Stop & Shop purchase.  I bought mostly "good" crap as I have for the past few months.  I don't know if Mondays are magic days - but there were SO MANY packs of meat with $2 peelies on them.  A lot of them were like $3.something - so it was like a dollar and some change for meat.  I just weigh it and ziploc baggie it up and stick it all in the freezer when I get home.  Obviously I don't buy meat that looks all skanky - but a lot of it looks fine.  Something to keep your eye open for if you are out and about. 

Save $15 On Your First Peapod Order!

Want to try Peapod (through Stop & Shop)?  Get $15 off your first order with promo code SSVP15B.  This code is good until 4/30/10.  Minimum purchase is $60.  Delivery for orders under $100 is $9.99.  Over $100 is $6.99.  Peapod takes MFCs. 

I used them once and it was a pretty neat experience.  Definitely great if you just have a baby or gearing up for a big event.  Some of their prices are actually really good on their website each week. 

Quicky Stop & Shop and Walmart Runs

Stop & Shop

I went to Stop & Shop on Saturday.  Even though I just bought a huge container of coffee from BJ's, my husband took it to work with him and we were without.  Grabbed a small container until I can get back to BJ's this weekend.

1 Maxwell House 11.5 oz coffee - $2.50
Golden Double Stuff Oreo - $2.88 (Cashier took off full price with my free coupon - $3.69)
1.62 lbs of Grapes - $3.22

Total Before Savings:  $12.23
Stop & Shop Savings:  $3.42
Coupons:  $3.69
Cash OOP:  $4.91

Walmart

1 package of coffee filters - $1.24

Total:  $1.24 (we bought more - but this was the only grocery related item)

Stop & Shop and CVS Runs

Made 2 trips the past few days.  Here they are:

Stop & Shop
Total Before Savings:  $46.33
Coupons Used:  0
Stop & Shop Savings:  $20.84
Cash OOP:  $25.49

2 Stop & Shop Apple Juices - $1.50 ea
Block o Cheese - $2.99
Pepperoni - $2.50
Stuffed Clams - $3.49
Big Ol' Ham - $13.51

CVS
Total Before Savings:  $19.83
Coupons Used:  $3.00
Cash OOP:  $16.08

500 Ct. CVS Motrin - $15.99 ($2/1 CVS product) $13.99
2 Gold Emblem Candies - $1.50 ea (BOGO 50% off) $1/2 CVS Coupon - $1.25 for both

2 Trips

BJ's Trip

6 pack Cream Cheese - $8.99 ($2/1 BJ's coupon, 2 $1/3 MFCs) $4.99
Cracker Barrel 4 pack - $9.99 ($2/1 BJ's coupon, $1/2 MFC) $6.99
1 lbs Land O'Lakes American Cheese - $3.70 ($1/1lbs MFC) $2.70
3 pack Land O'Lakes Butter - $7.99 ($1.50/1 BJ's coupon) $5.49
60 pack Sausage - $5.99
2 pack Parmesan Cheese - $6.39
Crusty Rolls - $2.99
Dozen Bagels - $3.49
2 Half & Halfs - $1.79 ea (BOGO Free BJ's coupon)
Sargento Mozzarella Cheese - $5.29 ($2/1 BJ's coupon) $3.29
2 Dozen Eggs - $2.99
32 AAA Batteries - $4.99
48 AA Batteries - $7.99
Capri Sun Waters - $7.49

Total Before Savings:  $82.67
Total Coupons Used:  $14.15
Cash OOP:  $68.13

Stop & Shop Christmas Eve Stop
12 Finger Rolls - $2.99
2 Cabot Cheese Blocks - $2.99 ea (2 $1/1 MFCs)
1 Hood Cinnamon Egg Nog - $2.99 ($1/1 MFC)
Pepperoni - $2.49
Brigham's Ice Cream - $2.49 ($1/1 MFC)
2 Planters Nut Mix - BOGO @ $4.79 ea (2 $1/1 MFC Peelies)
Stop & Shop Bacon - $1.99
Top Round Roast - $11.87
2.65 lbs Sweet Potatoes - $1.32
1/2 lbs Shrimp - $3.77
Cocktail Sauce - $2
1 lbs Little Neck Clams - $4.57

Total Before Savings:  $69.35
Total S&S Savings:  $21.08
Coupons Used:  $6
OOP:  $42.27

Random Stop & Shop Trip

I'm getting so lazy as the holidays are approaching!

1 Banquet Sausage pack - $5.99
2 Hormel Black Label Bacon - BOGO @ $5.29
1 organic molasses (they were out of Grandma's) - $3.99
1 tub of Fluff - $2.00

Total - $17.27

I have a BJ's trip to record too.  It was $36.29.  I am looking for the receipt but can't seem to find it.

Stop & Shop/P&G/RedBox Promo

All purchases must be made in a single transaction to qualify. Your 5 codes will print along with your register receipt. Offer valid from 11/27/09 to 12/3/09 at participating Stop & Shop locations.   I'm sure you can find more info in the flyer or in store. 

2 Random Trips

Stop & Shop

1 gallon of milk - $3.79
1 pack of Hillshire Farms Lil' Smokies - $2.50

Total:  $6.29

Walmart (I've been on some weird Walmart kick lately!)

2 Half & Halves - $1.73 ea
1 Beef Smokies - $2.50
1 Tropicana OJ - $2.66
1 Gold Fish - $1.65
1 Arnold Bread - $1.88
18 ct. eggs - $2.18

Total - $14.33

Want to Try Peapod? Save $15!

I wrote awhile back how I tried Peapod through Stop & Shop.  It was a pretty good experience - between tip and the delivery fee, I'm not so sure I would do it every single time I needed groceries.  Definitely good if I'm in a pickle.

Do you want to try Peapod?  Save $15 on your first order by entering code SSVP15A.  This code is good through 11/30/09.  Delivery prices are $9.95 for orders under $100.  $6.95 for orders over $100.  This might come in handy during the Thanksgiving holidays.  Crowds at grocery stores are unbelievable!

Son's Big Birthday Bash - Catching Up on Spending!

My second son turned 2 today. We had a party for him yesterday. I went to three different stores over the weekend to grab stuff....I'm nervous about entering it - it's not going to be pretty!

BJ's (Had to Renew Membership - $45 right there!)
BJ's Hamburger Buns - $1.99
Heinz Picnic Pack (2 Ketchup, Relish & Mustard) - $7.99
1 Dino Nuggets - $9.99 ($2/1 BJ's Coupon) $7.99
1 Gallon Milk - $2.18
2 LOL Half & Halfs - $1.79 ea
2 Electrasol 80 ct. Dishwasher Tablets - $12.59 ea (BOGO Free BJ's Coupon!) $6.29 ea!
3 pk Celery Hearts - $2.99
1 Pineapple - $2.99
6 pk Green Peppers - $4.99
3 lbs Plum Tomatoes - $6.99
1 lbs LOL American Cheese at Deli - $3.80 ($1/1 lbs MFC) $2.80
Chock Full O'Nuts Coffee - $8.29 ($2/1 BJ's coupon) $6.29!
2 Nestle Water 30 packs - $3.99 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $2.99 ea

Total Before Coupons: $149.50
Total After Coupons: $130.13

Shaw's
1 Yellow Onion - .35
2 lbs Carrots - $1.98
10 oz Spinach - $2.19
1 pack of Animal Crackers (for son #1 being good) - $1
1 100 Calorie Bites - $2.50
1 Ritz - $2.50
1 Wheat Thins - $2.50
1 Wheat Thins Flatbread - $2.50
1 Triscuits - $2.50 (Used $3/4 Coupon from Flyer)
1 Arm & Hammer Essentials Refill - .50 ($1/1 MFC) MONEY MAKER OF .50!

Total Before Savings: $27.05
Total Preferred Savings: $8.53
Total Coupons: $4.00
Cash OOP: $14.52

Stop & Shop (really last minute!)
2 10 lbs bags of ice - $2.50 ea
1 50 ct Plastic Cups - $2.50
1 pack of Plastic Forks - $1.29
1 pack of paper bowls - $2.50
1 pack of paper plates - $2.50

Cash OOP: $14.34

Total Spent: $158.99

Honestly, I don't think it's too bad. Especially since $45 of it is a BJ's renewal. Some of the BJ's stuff was just stuff for the house (coffee, milk & dishwasher soap come to mind). We have a lot of leftovers as far as non-perishable stuff goes which will be good to use for our family party this coming week. Water, soda, plates, cups, etc.

Quick Stop & Shop Trip!

I went to Stop & Shop last FRIDAY! Just getting to it now. I ran in for some half & half. Got 2 other things too:

1/2 gallon Half & Half -$4.39
17 oz Stop & Shop Olive Oil - $4.99
1 big pack Sausage - $5.55

Total: $14.93

I don't have my receipt but I remember the numbers. Apologies for being absent the past week. We went out of town over the weekend and it's just been hectic with son #1 starting pre-school this past week. I haven't gotten my fliers yet either!! Maybe today. I really need to do a Shaw's run to get some cheap cheese...

Peapod IGoogle Gadget!

Peapod has launched a Gadget to make Peapoding easier! Click HERE to get Peapod on your webpage or IGoogle account. Although I wouldn't do Peapod on a weekly basis, I do think it would be a good choice if you are in a jam, are disabled, are elderly, just had a baby or even near the holidays.

Peapod is a delivery service that is offered through Stop & Shop. If you make a purchase, you will get a code that offers FREE delivery for the next 60 days after your initial purchase (well, a $6.95 credit - which is the delivery charge for any order over $100). Remember too, Peapod does accept MFCs! There are some great offers offered through the website that are not offered at Stop & Shop. Most of the meat advertised on sale at Stop & Shop is on sale for the same price on Peapod. Go ahead - give it a shot!

Stop & Shop!

I went to Stop & Shop pretty much just to stock up on hot dogs. We love hot dogs.

Total Before Savings: $67.84

Total Stop & Shop Savings: $27.75

Total Coupons Used: $9.89

Cash OOP: $30.20

8 packs of Hebrew National Hot Dogs - BOGO @ $5.29 (4 $1/2 MFCs) $2.15 ea!

Uncle Ben's Ready Rice - $2.39 (FREE MFC) Free!

Yo-Plus Yogurt - $2 ($1/1 MFC) $1!

10 Dannon Yogurt - .50 ea!

32 oz Stop & Shop Plain Yogurt - $2.29

Finish Dishwasher Soap - $3.99 ($2.50/1 MFC) $1.49!

2 Nature's Promise 9 Grain Bread - BOGO @ $3.99 - $1.99 ea!

- I did buy a big bag of cherries - but they are not on the receipt.

- I couldn't find my 5% off my total order coupon. This made me mad and sad.

- I wasn't sure if I could use the $5/$15 meat coupon on hot dogs. I think it was put out there to use on just actual meat products. I still have not taken advantage of this coupon and it expires today.

New Link for Stop & Shop $5/$15 Meat Coupon!

There is a new link to the meat coupon! Click HERE for it!

Many thanks to Michelle at Wicked Cool Deals for letting me know about it!