BJ's Run Yesterday!

This is a good trip to show how you can stack MFCs with BJ's coupons.

Total Before Savings:  $84.09

Coupons Used:  $16.79

Cash OOP:  $67.30

1 Box of Luvs - $29.99 ($5/1 BJ's Coupon, $2/1 MFC) $22.99 for 180 diapers (size 4)

1 Capri Sun Waters - $7.49

1 Wonder Kids 2 pack - $3.19

2 12 oz Sargento Twin Pack Shredded Mozzarella Cheese - $6.99 ($1.50/1 BJ's Coupon, $1/2 MFC) $4.49 for 6 cups of cheese (it's like getting cheese for $1.49 per 8 oz bag at Shaw's)

BJ's Apple Juice - $3.99

2 lbs Smart Balance Tubs - $6.29 ($1.50/1 BJ's coupon, $1/2 MFC) $3.79 for 2 1 lbs containers

2 lbs Butterball Deli Turkey packs - $6.99 ($1/2 MFC) $5.99

2 Half & Halves - $1.79 ea

1 lbs LOL Deli Cheese - $3.52 ($1/1 lbs BJ's coupon at door) $2.52

2 2 dozen Eggs - $3.49 ea

Arnold Sandwich Thins - $2.29

Thomas High Fiber English Muffins - $2.79 (FREE when you buy Sandwich Thins coupon at door) FREE!

Things From This Trip:

-  BJ's has some killer coupons at the door this week!  There was actually just a $1/1 lbs of LOL Cheese in the paper.  Couple this with the $1/1 lbs at the door and you are talking $1.50 for a pound of American Cheese!

-  Just throwing another plug out there for Luvs diapers.  Totally underrated.  I never have leaks with them on my 2 year old.  They do leak from time to time with my almost 4 year old at night (he can't seem to wake up to go to the bathroom although he's been potty trained for over a year) - but honestly, I don't think most diapers can hold 4 year-old's tinkles and we've made big improvements in this department by just forcing him to go before bed and limiting his liquids after dinner.  Sign up for MFCs mailed to you at Luvs.com.  Couple these with the BJ's coupons that get mailed out and you're talking a great deal on diapers.  This trip, my cost per diaper was 12.7 cents for a size 4.  Find out how much you are paying for diapers by diving the cost of your package of diaper by the number of diapers in the package.  Then you click on THIS handy dandy chart to see what the price is to beat to "be a good deal".  Thanks Baby Cheapskate!  So on this chart, beating 21 cents for a Luvs Size 4 diaper is a "good deal".  This makes me feel all good and mushy inside since I got mine for under 13 cents each - and almost always do by stacking coupons at BJ's. 

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

Shaw's Trip

Went to Shaw's.  They wouldn't take my Jones' BOGO Free Internet coupon.  Boo.

Total Before Savings:  $54.06
Total Preferred Savings:  $18.75
Total Coupons Used:  $11.69
Total OOP:  $23.62 (would have been under $20 if they honored the Jones' Sausage coupon.  Oh well.  I needed it anyways).


5 lbs Potatoes - $2.99 ($1/1 Shaw's coupon from Shaws.com) $1.99
1 pineapple - $2.77
1 Frozen Hash Brown Patties - $2.99
1 Jones' Sausage Links - $1.79
2 Jones' Sausage Rolls - BOGO @ $3.99
Diamond Crystal Salt - .99 (.50/1 MFC from coupons.com) Free
2 Ronzoni Smart Taste - $1.50 ea (2 .75/1 MFCs from paper) FREE
2 Ritz Crackers - $2 ($1/2 MFC from paper) $1.50 ea
1 Nature's Pride Bread - $2.50 (.75/1 MFC from Coupons.com) $1.00
Frozen Diced Green & Red Peppers - $1.34
2 Kraft Shredded Cheese - $1.99 ea ($1/2 from Kraft Family.com) $1.49 ea
1 Breakstone's Sour Cream - .99 (.55/1 MFC from Kraft Family.com) 11 cent Money Maker
2 Philly Cream Cheese Blocks - BOGO Free @ $1.99 ea (.55/2 MFC from Kraft Family.com) .45 ea
1 M&M Peanuts - $1.99 (.50/1 MFC Peelie on bag) .99

Crazy Christmas Grocery Shopping!

Ahhhhh!  I have fallen victim to crazy grocery shopping!  I seem to be popping into stores all the time to grab random things.  Make my spending go up and makes my logging difficult.

Walmart
Tostitos - $2.98
Milk - $2.78
Total:  $5.76

Shaw's
1 mini Watermelon - $4.49
2.41 lbs Bananas - $1.66
.39 Plum Tomato - .78
1 box Clementines - $4.88
2 One Pie Pumpkin - $1.69 ea
2 Prince Oven Ready Pasta - $1.50 ea
4 Coke 12 packs - 4/$10
2 Coke 2 liters - FREE (with coupon from flyer)
Cool Whip - .99

Used $15 in CATS
Total:  $18.67

Walmart (again!)
1 Beef Smokies - $2.50
Baking Soda - .64
Coconut - $1.68
Sweetened Condensed Milk - $1.94
Graham Crackers - $2.50
Quick Oats - $2.36
18 eggs - $2.18

Total $13.80

2 Weeks Left of the Year!

We have 2 weeks left of the year!  At the beginning of the year I set a goal to not spend more than $5,000 on my groceries (household stuff, beauty products, baby crap, cat stuff was also included in this total).  As of today, I'm at $4,555.  So unless I go crazy and spend $445 in the next 2 weeks (doubtful, as I'm not hosting any big holiday celebration or anything), I would have met my goal. 

Which brings me to my next point - now is a good time to start thinking about whether you want to start some sort of spending goal for 2010.  I was able to get my grocery chart off of MommySnacks.com. 

Blogging and charting my spending really made me disciplined in my grocery spending.  I had very few "quick trips" to grab this, that or the other thing.  Well I still had some of those, but nothing like in the past.  My friend Kara recently made a comment about "Sausage, Bacon, Molasses, & Fluff - what a shopping list!"  But it made me think - yeah, that day, I did in fact go to Stop & Shop with those 4 items on my list.  I only bought those four.  Making a list each and every time I went to the grocery store really made me stick to my guns.  Obviously I had "splurgies" throughout the year - but nothing like in the past.  For instance, once I grabbed a bag of Terra Chips that weren't on my list.  Ooh.  Such a rebel I was spending that $3!  But before 2009, we'd do crazy stuff like buy a big box of Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeno Poppers at BJ's at least once a month.  I don't think I bought those at all this year.  Since both boxes are $9.99 - that's a $20 savings a month.  Honestly, we didn't miss having "naughty" snacks that much.  We also haven't been drinking as much soda this year - which is def. a good thing.

I'm not sure if I'm going to set a goal for 2010 yet.  I probably will of some sort.  I think what I want to do is set a "grocery day" and shop once a week (but those darn Catalina sales will mess that up!).  There is also a new place called "The Fresh Market" that is set to open in spring.  This place is right up the street from me.  Apparently it's like Whole Foods but "more affordable".  I have the next 2 weeks to dwell on my 2010 goal.  $5,000 is a challenging, yet comfortable level for us.  We could go lower if we didn't eat so much meat, but that's what we like to eat. 

Lastly, for those of you reading this, I do get probably 95% of my coupons from the Boston Globe or the grocery flyers that come on Thursdays.  Unless there is a great coupon out there or I'm trying to work a Catalina, I don't do much coupon printing from the internet.  I guess I'm kind of old school. 

Shaw's Trip Extravaganza!

Total Before Savings:  $212.50

Total Preferred Savings:  $60.01

Total Coupons:  $53.03

Cash OOP:  $99.46

CATS Earned:  $15.00

Pillsbury CAT (Did it 3 times & 3 $5 CATS printed.)

2 Old El Paso Taco Kits - PSP $2.99, Sale $2.49

1 Old El Paso Salsa - PSP $2.59, Sale $1.99

1 Old El Paso Refried Beans - PSP $1.39, Sale $1.29

1 Progresso Bread Crumbs - PSP $2.29, Sale .99 (.50/1 MFC from paper) Earned 1 cent!

6 Pillsbury Cookie Rolls - PSP $3.59, Sale $2.49 (3 $1/2 MFCs) $1.99 ea

6 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.69 (3 $1/2 MFCs) $1.19 ea

1 Simply Cookies - PSP $3.99, Sale $2.49 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $1.49

PSP:  $55.72

Cash OOP:  $28.82

CATS Earned:  $15.00

Net:  $13.82

I kind of went overboard with the CAT.  I only needed $45 PSP and I hit $55 - oh well.  The husband has been wanting Taco stuff lately so I gave in to that.  So in case you haven't realized it, you can triple this CAT that is on the back page of the Shaw's flyer this week (meaning, get $45 in Pre-Sale Price items and score yourself $15 off your next purchase).

SCENARIO TIME

If you took what I did (assuming you have the same coupons as I do), but minused the Old El Paso Products,  you would spend $20.56, but get $15 OYNP back.  So you'd net $5.56 for 6 Cookie Doughs, 6 Crescents, 1 Bread Crumbs, & 1 Simply Cookies. 

Freebie Stuff

2 Jones Sausage Links - $2.79 ea ($1/2 Peelie on packages)

2 Jones Sausage Rolls - $3.99 ea (2 Buy Links, Get a Roll free Coupons) $4.58 for the 4 products

2 No Yolks Egg Noodles - $1.49 (2 .75/1 MFCs from Deal Finding Mom's blog) FREE!

1 Idahoan Potatoes - $1.39 (FREE MFC from paper - cashier took off $1.50) 11 cent money maker!

1 International Delight Coffee Creamer - $2 (FREE MFC from Fanning them on Facebook) FREE!

1 180 ct Marcel Napkins - $2.50 (FREE MFC from paper) FREE!

1 Airwick Freshmatic - $5.99 ($5/1 MFC from paper) .99 cents (not free -but at a reg. price of $13, very noteworthy!)

Other Stuff

1.22 lbs Green Peppers - $2.18

3 pk Tomatoes - $1.99

2.82 lbs Oranges - $3.64

1 Fresh Express Shreads - $1.50

1 Fresh Express Salad - $2.50 ($1/2 Fresh Express items) $1 for Shreds, $2 for Salad

2 cans Campbell's Tomato Soup - $1 ea

2 Arnold Soft & Natural White Bread - Reg. $3.29, Sale $2.29 ea (.35/1 Peelies on both DOUBLE) $1.59 per loaf

2 Apple & Eve Juices - $1.99 ($1/2 MFC from paper) $1.49 ea

1 Farm Rich Appetizer - $5.99 (.75/1 MFC from paper) $4.49

1 Velveeta - $4.49 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $3.49 (husband needed it for recipe)

2 Twix bars - .89 ea (BOGO Free MFC from paper) .45 cents ea

2 Pounce Cat Treats - $1.59 (BOGO Free MFC from paper) .79 ea (For the cats' Christmas stockings)

1 Simply Smart Milk - $3.59 ($1.50/1 MFC from Shaw's Register) $2.09

2 Sargento Shredded Cheese - $1.99 ea ($1/2 MFC from paper) $1.49 ea

1 Sorrento Ricotta Cheese - $3.49 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $2.49

20 Dannon Yogurts - .40 ea (2 $1/10 MFCs from paper) .30 cents ea

1 Daisy Sour Cream - $1.79 (.50/1 MFC from Shaw's mailer - DOUBLED) .79

Shaw's Half & Half - $1.99

Shaw's Pick 4 Meats
1.29 lbs Tenderloin - $5.79
1.35 lbs Boneless Ribs - $5.66
2.1 lbs Ground Beef - $6.28
2.1 lbs Ground Beef - $6.28
Total:  $24.11
Coupon Took Off:  $5.17
Cost:  $18.84

**Forgot to mention - I found a $1 CAT on the ground.  It was all dirty and stomped on.  I dusted it off and gave it some love.  It in turn gave me some love by giving me an extra $1 off my order. **

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.

Random BJ's Trip

I can't find my reciept. I spent $41.39 and saved $11.50 in coupons though...

Shaw's Trip on Saturday

Started with a $5 CAT

Total Before Savings:  $106.66

Preferred Savings:  $41.78
Total Coupons:  $8.50

Cash OOP:  $56.38

1.88 lbs bananas - $1.30

1.79 lbs oranges - $2.31

2 lbs yellow onions - $1.79

2.93 lbs sweet potatoes - $2.02

5 lbs Maine Potatoes - $2.00

5.38 lbs Mac Apples - $5.33

1.19 lbs Shoulder Steak - $5.11 ($1.50 peelie) $3.61

1.12 lbs Shoulder Steak - $4.80 ($1.00 peelie) $3.80

2.09 lbs Ground Beef - $4.16

1.98 lbs Pork Roast - $5.52

18 lbs Turkey - $12.69

Stove Top Stuffing - $1.50

2 Ronzoni Smart Taste - $1 ea ($1/2 MFC from Coupons.com) .50 ea

1 gallon 1% Shaw's Milk - $2.99

1 dozen eggs - $1.79

1 shredded Mozzarella - $2.29

1 shredded Cheddar - $2.29

2 Plumrose Bacon - BOGO @ $4.99 ea

Things from This Trip:

-  I splurged on meat.  I must need protein. 

-  Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta and Healthy Harvest are both $1 a box this week.  Print $1/2s at Coupons.com and SmartSource.com

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

CVS, Walmart & Roxie's - Oh My!

We hit up a few stores the past few days for things we ran out of.  Then I kind of went on a baking supply shopping spree.  I'll have cookies coming out of my ears this year.

Trip 1 - CVS

1 Half & Half - $3.29

Total - $3.29

I told the husband to pick some up on his way home from work.  That's what he got.

Trip 2 - Walmart

1 Crisco - $4.54
5 lbs Sugar - $2.24
Total - $6.78

Trip 3 - Another Walmart

4 Nestle Morsels - $1.78 ea
2 Libby Pumpkins - $1.37 ea
2 Eagle Sweetened Condensed Milk - $1.50 ea
1 Argo Corn Starch - $1.27
1 Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmellows - $1.34
Powdered Sugar - $1.50
Pine Room Spray - $2.00
Friehoffer's Bread - $1.97
1 Reynold's Parchment Paper - $2.84 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $1.84

Total - $22.78

- I went to Walmart on my way to Roxie's to get Corn Starch, Parchment Paper and Powdered Sugar.  What I found is that have some wicked cheap baking stuff.  So I went a little crazy.  I really don't shop at Walmart for groceries because, well I just don't.  I have 2 Walmarts near me.  One is small and their grocery department isn't that big (it's seriously one of the smallest Walmarts I have ever been in).  The bigger one is always busy.  It's just not worth it to go there (plus, it can be a little scary at times). I went at 8:30 am, it was dead, and I regretted not bringing my coupons.

Trip 4- Roxie's

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thigh Filets - $2.31

2 lbs Carrots - .89

Half a Butternut Squash - .74

2.2 lbs Family Pack Steak - $9.45

3.4 lbs Chuck Roast - $9.88

2 Plumrose Bacon - $1.99 ea

5 lbs Potatoes - $1.49

1 stray kitten who wanted to attack my meat - $200 at the MSPCA

Total (minus cat) - $28.74

CVS Glade Money Maker for Me

I went to CVS.  I made money on the Glade deal.  You can probably get 4 refills for free.  Here is what happened:

1 Glade Sense & Spray - $6 ($4/1 MFC from paper, $2 peelie on pack - cashier scanned both) FREE
1 Glade Sense & Spray Refill - $3 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $2
1 Glade Scented Oil Refill - $3 ($2/1 peelie on pack) $1

Total OOP:  $3
ECBs Earned:  $4
Money Maker of $1

The scented oils (French Vanilla & Apple Cinnamon) in my store had $2/1 peelies on them.  So if you buy 4 of them, you'll pay $4 OOP but you'll get $4 ECBs back.  Not sure if all the CVSs have the scented oil refills with $2 peelies on them... 

Sunday's Shaw's Trip

Started with $30 in CATS

Total Before Savings:  $72.07

Total Preferred Savings:  $22.48

Total Coupons Used:  $40.09

Cash OOP:  $9.50

CATS Earned:  $5.00

$5 CAT

1 Folgers - PSP $8.49, Sale $4.99 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $3.99

1 Crisco Olive Oil - PSP $6.29, Sale $5.00 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $4.00

1 Crisco Cooking Oil - PSP $4.99, Sale $2.50 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $1.50

2 Pillsbury Breads - PSP $2.59, Sale $1.69 ($1/2 MFC from paper) $1.19 ea

PSP - $24.95

Cash OOP:  $11.87

CAT Earned:  $5.00

Other Stuff

3.08 lbs Ground Beef - $5.79

1 Terra Sweet Potato Chips - $3.49 ($1/1 MFC from paper) $2.49 (my splurge)

12 Goya Beans - .79 ea (2 $1.25/6 MFCs from paper) .58 cents ea

2 Langer Disney Juices - $2.50 (2 $1/1 MFCs from machine in front of them) $1.50 ea

1 Gallon Shaw's Milk - $2.99

1 Kitten Chow - $5.79 (new kitty!)

2 Candy Bars - .59 ea (BOGO Free MFC from paper) .30 ea

Things From this Trip:

-  For the CAT, I wanted to buy the Folgers (when it was on the 3 day sale), Crisco Olive Oil and Cooking oil.  I fell just a few cents short of hitting $20.  I threw in 2 pumpkin bread mixes since I knew I would use those. 

-  I love beans!  They are on sale this week but didn't see them in the circular.  So luckily, I had my coupon stash with me and bought them.

-  We welcomed a new kitten named "Peanuts" in our home on Friday.  So I had to get him some Kitten food.  My 8 year old cat seems to be enjoying it...

One Last Shaw's Run This Week

Started with $25 in CATS

Total Before Savings: $64.66

Total Preferred Savings:  $21.96

Total Coupons:  $34.05

Cash OOP:  $8.65

CATS Earned:  $30.00

CAT (x2)

2 Skippy PB - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.99 ($1/2 MFC from Red Plum insert) $1.49 ea

2 Lipton Soup Mix - PSP $1.89, Sale .99 ($1/2 MFC from Red Plum insert) .49 ea

3 Ragus - PSP $2.79, Sale $1.99 ($1.25/3 MFC from Red Plum insert) $1.57 ea

4 Progresso Soups - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.49 ($1/4 MFC from paper) $1.24 ea

3 Fiber One Bars - PSP $3.79, Sale $2.49 ($1/2 MFC, .40/1 MFC DOUBLES) $1.89 ea

2 Breyer's Ice Creams - PSP $5.79, Sale $2.99 ($1/2 MFC) $2.49 ea

1 Country Crock - PSP $4.99, Sale $3.39

2 Yoplait Delights - PSP $3.29, Sale $2.49 (2 $1/1 MFCs) $1.49

PSP:  $61.67

Non-CAT

Shaw's Parmasean Cheese - $2.99

Things From this Trip:

-  I wasn't going to go, but I saw the Red Plum today and the Ragus, Skippy and Lipton Onion Soup mix were calling my name. 

-  I had a code for a free Red Box movie.  So I let my sons pick out a movie.  They drove me crazy during this trip but that's nothing out of the ordinary.

-  The cashier actually asked me how I always get great coupons to print out.  I just told her I work the sales to my favor.  The lady behind me made a comment about how coupons aren't worth it because they make you buy things you normally wouldn't.  I understand, but heavens, I'm not brand picky at all.  Getting a bunch of tomato sauce, peanut butter and soup for dirt cheap works for me (regardless of brand), it will be eaten and no, in fact, I wouldn't buy these things if I didn't have coupons for them because I would feel ripped off if I didn't have coupons!! 

Shaw's Milk Run!

I needed milk.  I was set to go up to Tedeschi's but realized it would be cheaper at Shaw's. 

Started with $20 in CATs

Total Before Savings:  $38.67

Total Preferred Savings:  $12.12

Total Coupons:  $24.40

Cash OOP:  $2.15

OYNP Coupons Earned:  $15.00

CAT (X1)

12 Progresso Soups - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.49 (4 $1.10/3 MFCs from SmartSource.com and Coupons.com)

Cash OOP for CAT (to generate $15 CATs):  $13.48 - so since I had to get milk and use $20 in CATs, I needed fillers!  I thought the milk was $3.69, so I would be all set with 2 gallons to put me over $20.  But the price went down to $2.99!  Darn it!  I would only be at $19.46.  But I knew I needed Chili Powder, so I grabbed that to put me over.

Non-Cat Fillers

2 Gallons of milk - $2.99 ea

1 Shaw's brand Chili Powder - $2.69

Things I learned:

-  Darn it Shaw's!  Why did you have to go and lower the price of milk on me!

-  Here's a good example of how "newbies" can learn about this.  Buy 12 cans of soup (believe me, you'll eat it all this winter).  Even if you don't want to go to Coupons.com, BettyCrocker.com or SmartSource.com, you'll still only pay $17.88 out of pocket.  BUT, the kicker is that you'll get a coupon for $15 off your next purchase.  Cheap, good soup! 

-  Remember, this deal doubles and even triples.  Good deals to be had!  These CAT coupons will come in handy for most who are doing their Thanksgiving grocery shopping at Shaw's. 

-  My kids stole a candy bar.  I didn't realize it unitl I was out of the car and one was already buckled into his seat.  I got him out and I made them return it to the cashier and say "sorry".  She was giving me the look of "Who cares!  Lady, you just "stole" a butt load of groceries from me and you care about a stupid candy bar?"  But I felt better about that.  In the car home, I told my 3 year-old he can't steal things because the police will come after him and put him in jail.  He responded by saying that if the policemen ever chase him, he'll just run away from them.  Looks like I might have to start stocking up on things to donate to my local prison. 

My 10 Cents Shaw's Trip!

Started with $30.50 in CATS

Total Before Savings:  $69.87

Total Preferred Savings:  $21.87

Total Coupons Used:  $47.90

Cash OOP:  10 CENTS

CATS Earned:  $30.00

CAT (x2)

5 Cheerios - PSP $2.99, Sale $1.88 (3 .55/1 MFCs DOUBLE from Coupons.com and BettyCrocker.com, $1/2 MFC from Paper)

12 Progresso Soups - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.49 (2 $1.10/3 MFCs from Coupons.com, 2 $1/3 MFCs from BettyCrocker.com)

3 Hamburger Helpers - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.69 (.75/3 MFC DOUBLES from BettyCrocker.com)

3 Betty Crocker Potatoes - PSP $1.89, Sale $1.69 (3 .40/1 MFCs DOUBLE from Coupons.com & BettyCrocker.com)

1 Betty Crocker Frosting - PSP $2.19, Sale $1.69 (.50/1 MFC DOUBLES from BettyCrocker.com)

PSP:  $60.31

Cash OOP:  $25.71

OYNP Earned:  $30.00

Net:  -$4.29

Fillers

2 Nestle Chocolate Chips - $2.50 (2 .50/1 MFCs from Paper DOUBLE) $1.50 ea

2 Ronzoni Smart Taste - $1.50 ($1/2 MFC from Coupons.com) $1 ea

1 Yakisoba - .89 (.50/1 MFC from paper DOUBLES) .11 cent money maker

Things I've Learned:

-  I absolutely love when things work out just the way they are suppose to. 

-  It's still early on in the week.  If these sales boggle your mind, use my scenarios or others (Deal Finding Mom is a good one).  They work - obviously.  The good thing about this transaction is that I got almost all of my coupons from the internet - http://www.coupons.com/ and http://www.bettycrocker.com/

-  My Shaw's is still stocked up full of the sale things.  So I don't feel guilty working this deal more than once.  Remember - if you don't need these items, your food pantry does!

First Shaw's Trip of the Week

I got a late start to working the CAT deal this week, but I made it there Sunday night to use 3 Ragu coupons that were expiring. 

Total Before Savings:  $84.63

Total Preferred Savings:  $25.01

Total Coupons Used:  $14.65

Cash OOP:  $44.97

OYNP Coupons Earned:  $30.50

CAT

6 Skippy Peanut Butters - PSP $2.50, Sale $1.99 (2 .75/1 MFCs DOUBLE, 1 $1/2 MFC) $1.33 ea

9 Ragus - PSP $2.79, Sale $1.99 (3 $1.25/3 MFCs) $1.57 ea

2 Fiber One Bars - PSP $3.79, Sale $2.49 (2 .40/1 MFCs) $1.69 ea

3 Breyers Ice Cream - PSP $5.79, Sale $2.99 (.75/1 MFC, $1/2 MFC) $2.15 ea

Total PSP:  $65.06

Cash OOP:  $31.94

OYNP Earned:  $30.00

Random CAT

1 Fleishman's Yeast Strip - $2.19 (.40/1 MFC DOUBLES) $1.39 (Earned .50 OYNP)

Other Schtuff

1 Coke 12-pack - $3.34 (plus .60 deposit)

2 Dole Fruit Cups - $2.50 ea ($1/2 MFC) $2 ea

1 Maru Yakisoba -.89 (had a .50/1 MFC but it was in my bag when I got home!  This will be a money maker of .11 cents if you use this coupon that was in the paper not too long ago)

1 Chef Boyardee - .80 (son #1's "treat")

5 Shaw's Yogurts - .60 ea

Friday's BJ's Run - Spent a lot!

Total Before Savings:  $138.54

Total Coupons Used:  $28.49

Total After Savings:  $108.65

1 Bounty - $15.99 ($1/1 MFC)

1 Charmin - $17.99

Total:  $32.98 (Used $8 BJ's coupon when you buy both)  $24.98

1 Pampers Diapers - $39.49 ($3/1 MFC)

1 Pampers Wipes - $16.99 (.50/1 MFC)

Total:  $52.98 (Used $10 BJ's coupon when you buy both) $42.98

5 lbs Mott's Granny Smith Apples - $5.99

1 Pillsbury Pie Crust 2 pack - $4.99

"Buy Mott's Granny Smith Apples, Get Pillsbury Pie Crust Free" BJ's coupon

Wonder Whole Wheat White 2 pack Bread - $3.39

Snyder Pretzels - $5.99

BJ's Apple Juice - $3.89

2 gallons of Milk - $2.19 ea

1 Nesquick - $6.99

1 Thomas English Muffin 18 pack - $4.29 ($1/1 BJ's coupon) $3.29

1 Half & Half - $1.99

2 dozen eggs - $3.29

I kind of went crazy - but I'm stocking up on stuff since I know my husband is getting laid off in about 2 weeks.  Kind of crazy, but oh well.

BJ's Trip

Total Before Savings:  $52.01

Total Coupons Used:  $3.75

Cash OOP:  $48.26

Breyer's 2 Pack - $5.99 ($1.75 BJ's Coupon at front door) $4.24

Chock Full O'Nuts - $8.29

32 oz Daisy Sour Cream - $3.29

Kraft Sharp Cheese - $6.99 ($1 instant rebate) $5.99

2 gallons 1% Milk - $2.15 ea

1 gallon Apple Cider - $3.59

5 lbs Potatos - $2.99

20 lbs Flour - $8.49 ($1 instant rebate) $7.49

4 lbs brown sugar - $3.09

1 Chicken - $4.99

-  There were some good BJ's coupons in this week's newspaper.  There is $1 off a head of Foxy Lettuce ($1.25) making that .25 cents. 

-  2 "good" coupons that are good from 11/6-8.  $10 off Pampers and Pampers wipes.  The Pampers are $42.99.  There is a huge box of wipes for $24 (I think there were 1200 wipes in it).  Remember to couple these with MFCs to get a better deal.  The other one is for $8 off Bounty and Charmin.  Again, there was just a $1/1 Bounty in the newspaper this week and there are $1 offs in the P&G Year of Savings coupon book.  Obviously you aren't getting these products for free or anything, but if you are buying these products anyways, might as well save on them.