Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Target Tuesday!

Went to Target yesterday. Still my favorite store. :)



TRANSACTION 1
2 Fusion razors ($7.99 each - 2 $2/1 MQ)
Get a $5 giftcard for buying 2 razors
Total: $11.98

TRANSACTION 2

1 Pampers Sensitive jumbo ($8.99 - $1/1 MQ and $2/1 TQ)
1 Pampers Sensitie wipes refill ($5.99 - $1.50 MQ)
1 Pampers regular jumbo ($8.99 - $1/1 MQ - $3/2 TQ WYB Pampers diapers and wipes)
2 Luvs jumbos ($6.99 each - $2/1 MQ and $1/1 MQ)
2 Kotex liners ($2.70 each - 2 $1/1 MQ and 2 $2/1 TQ = $.60 overage!)
Use $5 giftcard from transaction 1
Total: $20.85

WEEKLY ROUND UP
Grocery Budget: $96.15
Used Today: $32.83
Budget Remaining: $63.32

Monday, August 17, 2009

Simple Ways to Save Money

I'm always looking for easy ways to save a few pennies. Here are some things that can save you some change.

- Cut dryer sheets in half. They're still just as effective. Or better yet, don't use them at all. I don't use any, and my clothes are just fine.
- Reduce or eliminate paper towels in your house. Use washable rags instead.
- Use efficient appliances. There are washers that are water-efficient, detergent-efficient, and energy-efficient!
- Make your own laundry soap. This is a bit much for me, but it can be done!
- Save all your change. We save all our change and turn it in at a CoinStar. If you get a giftcard, the coin counting is free! We get Amazon giftcards to purchase things like a high chair, a double stroller, and Christmas gifts!

Do you any new suggestions to help save even more?

Monday, August 10, 2009

Diaper Deals at Rite Aid and CVS

Here's my plan for the drug stores this week. I don't go to these every week - only when the deals are good. I actually haven't been CVSing in months, so I'm trying to ease back in. Check out Deal Seeking Mom's info about the Drugstore Game. Believe it or not, you can actually get FREE stuff at these places!

Rite Aid:

Scotch Pop Up Handband, $2.49 (Get $2.49 SCR)
BIC Soleil Razor or Refill, $5.99 (Get $2 SCR) - use $3/1 from the 8/9 SS
Ziploc Containers, $1.99 - use $.75/1 from a home mailer
Huggies Mega, $14.99 (Get $2 SCR) - use $1.50/1 from the 7/19 SS

Subtotal: $25.46
- $5/$25 Rite Aid q
- $3/1 Bic Soleil
- $.75/1 Ziploc
- $1.50/1 Huggies
Total OOP: $15.21 and get back $6.49 in SCRs
Grand total: $8.72

CVS:

Bic Soleil razor or cartridges, $6.99 (Get $3 ECBs) - use $3/1 from the 8/9 SS
2 Huggies jumbos, 2/$18 (Get $4 ECBs wyb 2 for $18) - use 1 $2/1 from a home mailer and 1 $3/1 from inside of a package
M&Ms, $.50 - use FREE from a home mailer

Subtotal: $25.49
- $5/$25 CVS q
- $3/1 Bic Soleil
- $2/1 Huggies
- $3/1 Huggies
- FREE M&Ms
- $1.50 ECBs
Total OOP: $10.49 and get back $7 in ECBs

Good week for razors and diapers. :)

Sunday, August 9, 2009

What's for Dinner?

Tonight we're having an especially frugal meal - BBQ chicken in the crockpot with rice and peas. Nothing fancy, but it fills our tummies. Here's the breakdown!

1.5 lbs chicken drumsticks at $1.09 a lb = $1.65
BBQ sauce = Free (after $1/1 Kraft q)
Rice = $0.25 (Success rice was on sale for $1.50 for 4 boil bags, used $.50 q)
Frozen peas = $1.25 (the most expensive part of the meal!)

So for three of us to eat (well, really 2.5, the big one doesn't eat a ton), it cost us $3.15 - $1.05 a serving. Not too shabby.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Target run - scored lots for little

I took the baby to Target today after we dropped the big one off at daycare. Gosh, I love that store. Here's what I got.


1 Cascade Rinse Aid - free MQ
4 Shout to go trial size wipes ($3.88 - 4 $1/1 MQ = $.12 overage!)
4 Fudge Shoppe cookies ($7.96 - 2 $1/1 MQ and 1 $1/2 MQ)
6 Poptarts ($9.12 - 3 $1/2 MQ and 4 $.75/1 TQ)
2 Kashi cereal cups ($2 - 2 $1/1 TQ)
2 Lady Stick ($2.96 - 2 $1.50/1 = $.04 overage!)
4 Satin Care trial shave gel ($3.96 - 4 $1/1 = $.04 overage!)
2 Bounty Basic ($1.98 - 1 $1/2 MQ)
2 Charmin to go ($2 - 1 $1/2 MQ and 1 $1.50/2 TQ = $.50 overage!)
2 Bic pencils ($2.48 - 1 $1/2 MQ and 1 $1/2 TQ)
2 Bic pens ($1.98 - 1 $1/2 and 1 $1/2 TQ = $.02 overage!)
3 Elmo books for the plane ride ($3)
2 Pairs of shoes for the baby ($3.24 and $1.74 - both at 75% off)
3 Christmas gifts ($3.98, $3.74, and $9.98 - all at 75% off)

Before Sales and Clearance: $142.03
After Sales and Clearance: $68.42

After MQs and TQs: $33.50

Tax: $1.28

TOTAL: $34.78 (76% savings!!!)


I am also going to submit for the $10 Fuel For School rebate, so that would put my OOP at $24.78, which would be 83% savings. This is why I love Target.

I am almost done Christmas shopping for my girls. Just have to pick up a joint gift for them, one bigger gift for each of them, and stocking stuffers. I've saved about 60% on each of them due to Target's July toy clearance and awesome clearance deals on clothes. My goal is to be done Christmas shopping AND have everything wrapped by Thanksgiving. The older one was born in December, and we have 3 nephews with December birthdays, so it's crazy!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

My first post!

After a lot of thought, I decided to start a blog about my couponing adventures. I know what you're thinking - there are a TON of those across the web. But I have found so few in the New England area that I wanted to help out those of us that don't have stores that double and amazing deals.

My ultimate goal is to buy groceries, toiletries, and paper products for my family of four (one of whom is not eating solids yet) for $100 a week. I have a great stockpile of diapers and wipes that I'm continually adding to if I can find good diaper deals. I won't pay more than $1 for a box of cereal. My stock up price for chicken breasts is $1.99 a pound - it doesn't get any cheaper around here. I won't need toothpaste until 2012.

During my free time between chasing two little ones, working part time, taking care of the house, and being Suzy Homemaker, I search for the best deals. I shop at RiteAid, CVS, Target, Walmart, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, and Hannaford's. Some have better deals than others. All of them (except Target) are in the surrounding towns. I make special trips for Target just because I love that store.

So I hope you'll stick around and see what deals I can find. I hate paying full price for anything. Free or cheap is where it's at!