Final January Grocery Trip

Breakstone Cottage Cheese Doubles (20) ~ reg 1.00 = 5.00
(each five produced $5 catalina, when done in separate transactions)
Bananas ~ reg 0.49/lb. = 0.83
Grapes ~ reg 6.83, sale 1.24 / lb. = 3.40
Johnson's Buddy Bar ~ reg 1.06 - $1/1 MQ = 0.06
Quilted Northern Six Double Rolls (used raincheck from Sat) (2) ~ reg 3.99, sale 1.99 - 2*$1/1 MQ = 1.98
KoolAid Jammers (3) ~ reg 1.69, sale 1.67 - 1.00/1 (wyb multiples of three) = 2.00
Meijer Toaster Pastry (2) ~ reg 1.59, sale 1.00 = 2.00
Meijer Canned Veg (6) ~ reg 0.95, sale 3/$1 = 2.00
Ground Turkey (2) ~ reg 1.59, sale 1.00 = 2.00
Scott Moist Wipes (2) ~ reg 2.49 - 2*$0.50/1 MQ = 3.98
(produced $3 catalina)

Tax: 0.54
Total: 38.79 - 3.00 catalina - 4*5.00 catalina = 15.79 (saved 43.56)

TOTAL this week: 15.79 (saved 43.56)

January total: 32.27 + 45.76 + 65.57 + 2.89 + 32.41 + 15.79 = 194.69, saved 548.22

$5.31 left for the month, which I think I'll use to buy some soda tonight :) I think I'm also going to try to keep this up going forward, but probably won't post every week... I already have a $10 gift card to Family Fare, a $25 gift card for Meijer coming my way and cans to return to add to my $200 for February, so it should be a good month! I'm holding onto two rainchecks for a total of 15 bags of Meijer frozen chicken breasts at $3.99/1... I'm already planning on buying all 15 in the beginning of February!

Dishwasher!

Last week our dishwasher finally died on us... it was only seven years old, but I think it had been on the "fritz" for at least three years, so I'm grateful that it lasted this long! Instead of my natural instinct to replace all of the kitchen appliances (with black or stainless steal), I agreed with Rob that we could just replace the dishwasher (a much more frugally responsible move). Here's the one we (as in Rob and my father-in-law) installed today:



Yes, I'm pretty excited to have a dishwasher back! Even though Madisyn really loved washing the dishes. AND... it runs at 54 dBA (not to mention, it's pretty cute for a white dishwasher).

First and foremost, I have to apologize to those who like pictures and want to see updates of the kids and our lives... our camera seems to have stopped re-charging :( Alas, I am still enjoying my January budget challenge :)

Target
2 Liter Soda (2) ~ reg ??? (I'm going to guess 1.25, although it may be more), sale 0.79 = 1.58 + 0.20 dep

01/17/2010 Sunday paper (2) ~ 4.00

01/24/2010 Sunday paper (2) ~ 4.00

Meijer (during Super Saturday Sale)
Liners (2) ~ reg 1.09 - $1.50/2 = 0.68
(produced $3 catalina)
All Detergent (3) ~ reg 5.49, sale 3.00 - 3*$2/1 MQ = 3.00

Liners (2) ~ reg 1.09 - $1.50/2 = 0.68
(produced $3 catalina)
Pull-ups ~ reg 9.36, sale 7.99 - $2/1 MQ = 5.99
Paper Towels ~ reg 3.99, sale 1.99 = 1.99

Liners (2) ~ reg 1.09 = 2.18
(produced $3 catalina)
Bananas ~ reg 0.49 / lb. = 1.25
Ketchup ~ reg 0.77 = 0.77
1/2 Gallon Chocolate Milk ~ reg 1.79 - $1.79/1 WYB two milk = free
Milk (2) ~ reg 2.29 = 4.58
Idaho Instant Potatoes (3) ~ reg 1.18, sale 0.99 - 3*$0.40/1 = 1.77
Hunts Tomato Sauce (4) ~ reg 0.79, sale 0.50 - $1/4 SQ - $1/3 MQ = free
Frozen Broccoli (3) ~ reg 1.29, sale 1.00 - $1/3 MQ = 2.00

Meijer cheese (2) ~ reg 2.24, sale 1.50 = 3.00
Soda ~ reg 4.28, sale 2.29 = 2.29 + 0.60 dep
Frozen Broccoli (3) ~ reg 1.29, sale 1.00 - $1/3 MQ = 2.00

Tax: 1.35
Total: 34.13 - 2.50 catalina - 3*3.00 catalina = 22.63 (saved 47.27)

TOTAL this week: 1.78 + 8.00 + 22.63 = 32.41 (saved 48.19)

January total: 32.27 + 45.76 + 65.57 + 2.89 + 32.41 = 178.90 ($21.10 left for the month), saved 504.66

Luckily I'm still holding onto a $10 Family Fare gift card and some cans that can be returned, if needed :) I'm going to try not to use either one, just for the fun of it... but we'll see :)

I love free food (even if I end up giving it to friends!)

I couldn't resist going back to the grocery store twice since my last trip... just because everything was free, except for some milk for next week. Total OOP = $2.89 and holding onto a $2.50 catalina for next week.

Transaction 1:
Breakstone Cottage Cheese Doubles (5) ~ reg 1.00 = 5.00
Chex Mix (8) ~ reg 2.29, sale 0.97 - 4*$1/2 MQ - 4*$1/2 SQ = -0.24
Chex Mix (4) ~ reg 2.29, sale 0.97 - 4*$0.50/1 MQ - 2*$1/2 SQ = -0.12
BC Gushers (2) ~ reg 2.79, sale 1.75 - $1/1 instantly WYB 4 BC - $0.50/2 MQ = 1.00
BC Fruit By the Foot (2) ~ reg 2.59, sale 1.75 - $1/1 instantly WYB 4 BC - $0.50/2 MQ = 1.00

Total : 6.64 - 2.00 catalina - 3.00 catalina = 1.64
*Got a $5.00 catalina from the Breakstone
*Got a $2.50 catalina from the Gushers/FBTF

Transaction 2:
Clearanced Bananas ~ reg 0.94, sale 0.65 = 0.65
Breakstone Cottage Cheese Doubles (5) ~ reg 1.00 = 5.00
Toaster Strudel (2) ~ reg 2.69, sale 1.99 - 2*$1/1 MQ - $1/2 SQ = 0.98
BC Frosting (1) ~ reg 2.19, sale 1.00 = 1.00 (even though I prefer my buttercream from scratch, I can't resist making money on buying frosting!)
BC Frosting (2) ~ reg 2.19, sale 1.00 - $1/2 MQ = 1.00

Total : 8.63 - 5.00 catalina - 2.50 catalina = 1.13
*Got a $2.00 catalina from the BC Frosting
*Got a $5.00 catalina from the Breakstone

Transaction 3:
Dole Bag Lettuce (2) ~ reg 1.99, sale 1.00 - 2*$1/1 SQ = free
BC Gushers (4) ~ reg 2.79, sale 1.75 - $1/1 instantly WYB 4 BC - 2*$1/2 MQ = 1.00
BC Frosting (3) ~ reg 2.19, sale 1.00 - $0.50/1 MQ = 2.50

Total : 3.50 - 2.00 catalina = 1.50
*Got a $2.50 catalina from the Gushers
*Got a $2.00 catalina from the BC Frosting

Transaction 4:
Breakstone Cottage Cheese Doubles (5) ~ reg 1.00 = 5.00
Johnson's Buddy Bar (4) ~ reg 1.06 - 4*$1/1 MQ = 0.24
BC Fruit By the Foot (4) ~ reg 2.59, sale 1.75 - $1/1 instantly WYB 4 BC - 2*$0.50/2 MQ = 2.00
Toaster Strudel (4) ~ reg 2.69, sale 1.99 - 4*$1/1 MQ - 2*$1/2 SQ = 1.96

Tax : 0.25
Total : 9.45 - 5.00 catalina - 2.00 catalina - 2.50 catalina = -0.05
*Got a $2.50 catalina from the FBTF
*Got a $5.00 catalina from the Breakstone

Transaction 5:
Chocolate Milk ~ reg 1.79 - 1.79/1 WYB two milk = free
Milk (2) ~ reg 2.29 = 4.58
BC Fruit By the Foot (4) ~ reg 2.59, sale 1.75 - $1/1 instantly WYB 4 BC - 2*$0.50/2 MQ = 2.00

Total : 6.58 - 2.50 catalina - 5.00 catalina = -1.33
*Got a $2.50 catalina from the FBTF

TOTAL spent this weekend : 1.64 + 1.13 + 1.50 - 0.05 - 1.33 = 2.89 (saved 127.04)

January total: 32.27 + 45.76 + 65.57 + 2.89 = 146.49 ($53.51 left for the month), saved 456.47
Currently holding onto a $2.50 catalina for next week and $10 gift card for Family Fare

Grocery Trip 01/11 (and this past weekend)

For those of you interested in where I got the coupons, I generally buy two of every Sunday paper, I get leftover coupons from my mom and mom-in-law, I print many from online and I get Meijer store coupons (SQ) from meijermealbox.com. Here are two links to blogs in West Michigan, which give match-ups and links to the Internet printable coupons (IP).
Glimpse of Sonshine
Sarah's Deals

Target (last week)
Dr. Pepper (10) ~ reg ??? (I'm going to guess 1.25, although it may be more), sale $0.79 - $0.25/1 MQ = 5.40 + 1.00 dep
Target Flushable Wipes (3) ~ reg 0.97 - $0.75/1 MQ = 0.66
Tax = 0.17
Total = 7.23 (saved 9.35)

Walmart (last week)
(I'm actually not sure that these weren't sale prices, but I don't know the regular prices if they were on sale, so I'll just treat them as regular prices)
Printer paper ~ reg 3.00 = 3.00
Bar soap ~ reg 1.07 - 1/1 MQ = 0.07
Finish ~ reg 3.49 - 2.50 / 1 MQ = 0.99
Dental Floss (2) ~ reg 0.97 - 2*$1/1 MQ = free
Tax = 0.57
Total = 4.63 (saved 5.44)

01/10/2010 Sunday paper (2) ~ 4.00

Staples
Printer ink ~ $13.49 - $3.00 Staples rewards = 10.49
Tax = 0.63
Total = 11.12 (saved 3.00)

Meijer
*Note that I did separate transactions for the FiberOne products as well as the Wishbone, Skippy & Bertolli deal.
Milk ~ reg 2.29 = 2.29
Dole Salad (3) ~ reg 1.99, sale 1.00 - 3*$1/1 SQ = free
Wishbone dressing (8) ~ reg 2.99, sale 1.39 - 4*$1/2 SQ = 7.12
($10 in Wishbone, Skippy & Bertolli produced $3 OYNO catalina)
BC Helper (2) ~ reg 2.49, sale 1.00 -2*$1/2 MQ = 1.00
BC Helper (6) ~ reg 2.49, sale 1.00 - 2*$1/3 MQ = 4.00
Hunts Ketchup ~ reg 1.39, sale 1.00 = 1.00
Knorr pasta sides (4) ~ reg 1.69, sale 1.00 - 1.00 free item (10 for 10, 11th free sale) = 3.00
Skippy Natural Peanut Butter (4) ~ reg 2.99, sale 1.69 - 2*$1/2 SQ = 4.76
Bertolli Pasta Sauce (2) ~ reg 3.39, sale 2.00 - $1/2 SQ - 2*$0.60/1 MQ = 1.80
($10 in Wishbone, Skippy & Bertolli produced $3 OYNO catalina)
FiberOne Granola Bars (4) ~ reg 3.29, sale 2.50 - 2*$1/2 SQ - 2*$1/2 MQ = 6.00 - $2.00 WYB 4 Fiber One products = 4.00
FiberOne Toaster Pastries (2) ~ reg 2.29, sale 1.75 - $1/2 SQ = 2.50
FiberOne Toaster Pastries (2) ~ reg 2.29, sale 1.71 - $1/2 SQ = 2.42 - $2.00 WYB 4 FiberOne products (including above) = 0.42
Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (12) ~ reg 0.67, sale 0.40 - 3*$1/4 SQ - 2*$0.60/6 = 0.60
Betty Crocker Frosting (3) ~ reg 2.19, sale 1.00 - 3*$0.50/1 MQ = 1.50
(Betty Crocker Frosting produced $2 OYNO catalina)
Lance Snack Crackers (4) ~ reg 2.89, sale 1.00 - 4*$1/1 MQ = free
Green Chilies (2) ~ reg 1.29, sale 0.89 = 1.78
Green Giant Frozen Veg (3) ~ reg 1.56, sale 1.00 - $1/3 - 1.00 free item (10 for 10, 11th free sale) = 1.00
Chex Mix (6) ~ reg 2.29, sale 0.97 - 3*$1/2 SQ = 2.82
Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta (4) ~ reg 1.69, sale 1.00 - 2*$1/2 MQ = 2.00
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta (4) ~ 3 @ reg 1.79, 1 @ reg 1.69, sale 1.00 - 2*$1/2 MQ = 2.00

*something that I'm unsure of also produced a $2 OYNO catalina

Meijer TOTAL: 43.59 - 3.00 cat - 2.00 cat = 38.59 (saved 123.71)
(and still holding onto $5 in catalinas for next week)

TOTAL spent this week: 7.23 + 4.63 + 4.00 + 11.12 + 38.59 = 65.57 (saved 141.50)

January total: 32.27 + 45.76 + 65.57 = 143.60 (Only $56.40 left for the month if I want to make my crazy goal :) Well, see, but I still think I can still do it! I may have to use a $10 gift card to Family Fare that I've been holding onto... thanks Mitch!)

I took a picture of my Meijer trip, but will have to wait to post it once I get my camera to charge.

Letter (via internet) to Daddy

"Hey Daddy,
It's Madisyn. I hope you're back soon. I very love you, I hope you're having fun."

Grocery Trip 01/05

Meijer Trip
Finish Gel Tabs (2) ~ reg 4.99, sale 3.49 - 2*$2.50/1 MQ = 1.98
Cottonelle toilet paper (3) ~ reg 4.49, sale 2.79 - 3*$0.50/1 MQ = 6.87
*edit: I just realized that I forgot the toilet paper in the picture! Goes to show that I had actually already put away some of these items (and eaten a Lean Cuisine) when I got the novel idea to haul them all back out for a picture :)

Bananas ~ reg 0.49/lb. = 1.78
Milk (2) ~ reg 2.29, sale 2.00 = 4.00
Cinnamon Toast Crunch (2) ~ reg 2.75 - 2*$1/1 MQ - 2*$1/1 (Meijer deal WYB 4) = 1.50
Lucky Charms (2) ~ reg 2.75 - 2*$1/1 MQ - 2*$1/1 (Meijer deal WYB 4) = 1.50
Apple Jacks with added Fiber ~ reg 2.75, clearance 1.37 = 1.37
Campbell's tomato soup (2) ~ reg 0.68, sale 0.59 - $0.50/2 MQ = 0.68
Spaghetti O's (12) ~ reg 1.09, sale 0.50 - 3*$1/4 SQ = 3.00
Barilla Wheat Pasta (8) ~ reg 1.29, sale 0.89 - 2*$1/4 SQ = 5.12
Faygo Soda (2) ~ reg 1.09, sale 0.98 = 1.96 +0.20 dep
Coffee-Mate Creamer, pint size (2) ~ reg 1.69, sale 0.99 - 2*$1/1 MQ = Free
Coffee-Mate Creamer, pint size (2) ~ reg 1.69, sale 0.99 - $1.50/2 MQ = 0.48
Coffee-Mate Creamer, quart size non-dairy (2) ~ reg 2.39, sale 0.99 - 2*$0.50/1 MQ = 0.98
Lean Cuisine (2) ~ reg 2.54, sale 1.49 - $1/2 MQ = 1.98
V8 Fusion (4) ~ reg 3.49, sale 2.49 - 2*$1/2 SQ - 4*$1 MQ = 3.96
Tyson Frozen Chicken (2) (yes, I let the kids eat dinosaur chicken nuggets... occasionally :) ) ~ reg 5.99, sale 3.99 - $2/2 MQ = 5.98
Canned Green Beans (4) ~ reg 0.66, clearance 0.33 = 1.32
Bottle refund = -11.70

Target Trip
Special K Granola Bars (8) ~ reg 2.79, sale 2.39 - 8*$1/1 SQ - 4*$1/2 MQ = 7.12
Special K Crackers (4) ~ reg 2.79, sale 2.39 - 4*$1/1 SQ - 2*$1/2 MQ = 3.56
Candy Canes ~ reg 2.49, sale 0.24 = 0.24
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (4) ~ reg 3.99, sale 0.39 = 1.56
Credit for two reusable bags = -0.10

TOTAL = 8.85 + 35.81 + 0.92 (tax) - 11.70 + 12.38 = $45.76 (saved $110.79 plus bottle refund)

Grocery Trip 01/02

This will have fewer details than going forward, seeing as it was last week sales, and who really cares about what I bought last week :)

Deoterant ~ regular 5.29 = 5.29
Deoterant ~ regular 2.59, sale 1.99 - $2/1 MQ = Free
Shampoo (3) ~ regular 3.19, sale 0.99 = 2.97
Conditioner (3) ~ regular 3.19, sale 0.99 = 2.97
Christmas plates ~ regular 2.09, sale 0.52 = 0.52
Christmas plates (3) ~ regular 2.09, sale 0.52 - 3*$0.50/1 MQ = 0.06

Pasta ~ reg 1.69 - $1/1 MQ = 0.69
Healthy Choice Meals (15) ~ reg 2.99, sale 1.99 - $1/5 SQ - $5/5 MQ = 11.85
Yogurt (24) ~ reg 6/$4.00, sale 10/4.00 - $1/4 SQ - $1/6 MQ = Free
Bagel Bites (3) ~ reg 2.19, sale 2.00 - $1/1 MQ = 3.00

01/03/2010 Sunday Paper (2) ~ $4.00

TOTAL = 11.81 + 15.54 + 4.00 + 0.92 (tax) = $32.27 (saved $77.14)

Quite possibly the best Santa picture ever...

But I'm certainly not biased at all :)


I do have to say that regardless of the exorbitant amount of money that we spent for two small pictures, Santa really did look like the real deal and we got both kids smiling (although a bit cheesy)... can't get much better than that!

And along with the Christmas theme, these are the pictures from the cookies that we made for Santa and his reindeer.

And the obsession begins...

As a few of you may know, I have become completely obsessed with deal shopping and coupons! Once I saw what other people were doing, in terms of getting things free or making money on them, I knew I had to give it a valiant effort. Needless to say, I am now officially obsessed! It's like my new job (you know, outside of playing with the kids, making food for the family, washing clothes, cleaning the house, running back and forth from school, etc...). To be quite honest, I don't think I'll ever go back, it's so much fun! Being math minded, and all, doesn't hurt :)

That being said, I have officially decided to attempt to keep our grocery budget to $200 in the month of January (and maybe going forward!). I don't know why... seeing that $320 / month was lofty the past few months, but I guess I just know that I can make it happen (one way or another). I may as well add that at one point while I was working, it was typical for me to spend $200 / week in groceries!!! And I was still shopping the sales! Although I do have to say that it helps that LD is out of diapers, except for napping and long outings (Whoo hoo! That really deserves it own post!).

So, for you few readers, I wanted to share what my guidelines are and hopefully I'll have successful stories to share as well!

To be included in "grocery"
* Food
* Toiletries (all H & B, paper products & diapers)
* Sunday news papers (which I buy for coupons)
* Ink & paper for our printer (which I buy to print coupons)

I'm going to try to post my Meijer (I almost ONLY shop at Meijer for groceries... I just don't seem to have the time to organize more than that) trips early in the week in the event that any of you want to get some of the great deals that I find! Tomorrow I'll post my last week trip (which was on January 2), which won't do you much good for this week, but hopefully on Wednesday I'll have time to post my this week trip (provided that I get to go tomorrow night). But to be completely honest, I won't at all be offended if you decide not to read these posts, they're just as much for accountability purposes as they are for your reading enjoyment.

One caveat: when I receive rebate checks in the mail, I will add it to my monthly grocery amount, seeing that it was originally from the grocery budget :)

By the way, if you want to know where I get many of my coupon match-ups, Sarah's Deals does a great job for Meijer in West Michigan (I also follow lots of forums and other blogs). She has a similar budget goal of $30 / week on food only that she reports on weekly.