What a great shop!!!!
My daughter and I went shopping together and hit Kroger and Meijer. I usually don't shop during the week, but the girls don't have school tomorrow because of parent/teacher conferences. Since it wasn't a "school night" for them, I felt like this evening was a little more low key. I made my list last night for both Meijer and Kroger and hit them both in one evening. It has been a long time since I have done 2 stores in one day.
We went to Kroger first since I had the least amount of items that I would be buying this week.
At Kroger I bought halloween candy, goldfish crackers, sausage, yogurt, and chicken patties. Everything that I bought was on sale. I had coupons for all of these items as well. I even had an additional shortcuts coupon that was loaded onto my Kroger card. If you have a Kroger card, you can load coupons on to it and then use an additional manufacturers coupon. The website is www.shortcuts.com
Our total was $22.94. I saved $24.81 (5.50 coupons and saved 19.31 for items that were on sale)
This is a 52% savings. YEAH!!!
Meijer was an adventure. It is amazing how you really need to make sure you have a good cashier. I don't know if my cashier was just learning, but she struggled with my coupons, kept dropping items, and rang up my items multiple times. She said that she took an item off that she didn't so I had to go to customer service after our shop.
I bought 4 loafs of bread, 2 dozen eggs, toilet paper, 6 yogurt, 6 pizzas, 2 shells and cheese, 2 on the go drink mixes, 4 pudding, icecream, 5 boxes of granola bars, 2 boxes of captain crunch, 1 box of Life, mascara, and turkey breast.
Everything was on sale and I used coupons as well!! My total was 59.00. I saved 49.44 (Meijer promotions 3.99, On sale -28.65, Coupons used -16.80)
Oh my! I just noticed that she also charged me for an extra pizza!!! How frustrating!!!
Since I have begun my coupon adventure, I refuse to buy most things unless they are on sale. Without the grocery game, I was buying items that were on sale but could be a cheaper price at a later date. I love that the grocery game does all the thinking for me! I save a much greater percentage when I use their grocery lists!!!
So for this week's groceries, I spent $82.00 and saved $74.25. Almost 50% off!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Great Meijer coupons this week 10-27 through 11-1
I have written a previous post about Meijer's new online coupon and recipe organizer called Meijer's Mealbox.
Well, there are some great coupons on their site as well as items that are on sale this week. Our sale is good until Saturday. I recommend that you check out their site and print out their coupons.
I plan on buying the following items because they are on sale and you can use the Meijer Mealbox coupon on top of the sale price. See the side of my blog for the Meijer Link.
Klondike bars -$1.00
Kraft Deluxe Mac and Cheese -$2.00/2
Birds Eye Vegetables -$1.00/2
Stouffer French Bread Pizzas - $1.00/4
Tyson Bagged Chicken -$1.00/2
Jello Pudding -$1.50/2
Meijer Lean Entrees -$1.00/3
Jello gelatin -$1.50/2
Lean Cuisine/Stouffer's -$1.00/4
Jack's Pizza -$2.00/4
Happy Shopping!!!
Well, there are some great coupons on their site as well as items that are on sale this week. Our sale is good until Saturday. I recommend that you check out their site and print out their coupons.
I plan on buying the following items because they are on sale and you can use the Meijer Mealbox coupon on top of the sale price. See the side of my blog for the Meijer Link.
Klondike bars -$1.00
Kraft Deluxe Mac and Cheese -$2.00/2
Birds Eye Vegetables -$1.00/2
Stouffer French Bread Pizzas - $1.00/4
Tyson Bagged Chicken -$1.00/2
Jello Pudding -$1.50/2
Meijer Lean Entrees -$1.00/3
Jello gelatin -$1.50/2
Lean Cuisine/Stouffer's -$1.00/4
Jack's Pizza -$2.00/4
Happy Shopping!!!
October Savings
10/5-10/11
Spent 94
Saved 48
10/12-10/18
Spent 90
Saved 34
Sam's club spent 169
http://savingmoneytofillupmytruck.blogspot.com/2008/10/sams-club-shop.html (See my posting about this shopping trip! It was a shop against my will!)
10/19-10/25
Spent 79
Saved 45
10/26-11/1
Spent $82
Saved $74
Spent 94
Saved 48
10/12-10/18
Spent 90
Saved 34
Sam's club spent 169
http://savingmoneytofillupmytruck.blogspot.com/2008/10/sams-club-shop.html (See my posting about this shopping trip! It was a shop against my will!)
10/19-10/25
Spent 79
Saved 45
10/26-11/1
Spent $82
Saved $74
Well, we are getting better and better at saving. Unfortunately, the Sam's club run hurt my monthly budget. I felt like I needed to really cut corners the week's following that shop in order to make up for our huge bill that week! It is amazing how my philosophy has changed. I never would have thought twice about spending 169 at the grocery store in one shop. Boy, has my shopping philosophy changed for the better!
My monthly total was $514 and saved $201. This works out to be a weekly average of $128.50.
Oh well! Last month our weekly average was 80.00!
An amazing coupon lady
This spring during my coupon research I came across this Jane's blog. If you think that I am saving a lot of money, this woman is amazing. She spends 800 a year on groceries. She has been writing about how she does this for awhile. She was featured on her local news in Texas and has now been added as a regular feature.
She amazes me!!
http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/
She amazes me!!
http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Grocery Game
Some of my blog readers have joined the grocery game. I hope you are finding it as rewarding as I do!
I do want to emphasize the need to trust the list. For example, there have been many times that I have bought an item because it was on sale and I had a coupon even though the item was not featured on the list. Every time that I have done this, either the next week or shortly after I have found that the same item was now featured on the list because it was a lower price than when I bought it.
I have also found that many times I bought that item thinking I would use it that week and ended up not using it until the week that it was cheaper!!!
I know that this is nothing to beat yourself up over but in the game to save money I get thrilled to see how much I can save during each shop! Try your best to shop off the list and add only the items you have to get. You will find that the other items you need will eventually be featured on list.
Yesterday, my grocery cart didn't look like enough food to feed my family real meals. I bought pop, lucky charms, coffeemate, toilet paper, pretzels and milk. I had other items in my cart as well but I bought a lot of the other items because they were blue (which means that you should buy as much as you can and have coupons for). This weeks shop has helped me build up a new stockpile for these items. Since the soup cycle has been going on, I have been adding to my soup stockpile and after this week I should be set for the next 12 weeks. I have many other items at home that will allow me create meals for this week even though it wasn't purchased this week.
Stockpile....
Think about how much of an item your family will eat in a week and try to buy this amount to cover 12 weeks. For example, we will only eat about 1-2 cans of soup a week. I know have about 10-12 cans of soup in my pantry. I was able to get many of these cans for .50-.75 cents each. If you will only eat soup every other week, then you would need 1/2 of this amount. Buying 12 weeks of an item sounds like a lot, but it really isn't as much as it may seem. Right now we also have 12 weeks of our families favorite cereal (which is about 6 boxes)- Lucky Charms and Honey Nut Cherrios. Most of these boxes were bought for about $1.50 (These were large boxes).
I hope that these grocery game tips have helped!!!
I do want to emphasize the need to trust the list. For example, there have been many times that I have bought an item because it was on sale and I had a coupon even though the item was not featured on the list. Every time that I have done this, either the next week or shortly after I have found that the same item was now featured on the list because it was a lower price than when I bought it.
I have also found that many times I bought that item thinking I would use it that week and ended up not using it until the week that it was cheaper!!!
I know that this is nothing to beat yourself up over but in the game to save money I get thrilled to see how much I can save during each shop! Try your best to shop off the list and add only the items you have to get. You will find that the other items you need will eventually be featured on list.
Yesterday, my grocery cart didn't look like enough food to feed my family real meals. I bought pop, lucky charms, coffeemate, toilet paper, pretzels and milk. I had other items in my cart as well but I bought a lot of the other items because they were blue (which means that you should buy as much as you can and have coupons for). This weeks shop has helped me build up a new stockpile for these items. Since the soup cycle has been going on, I have been adding to my soup stockpile and after this week I should be set for the next 12 weeks. I have many other items at home that will allow me create meals for this week even though it wasn't purchased this week.
Stockpile....
Think about how much of an item your family will eat in a week and try to buy this amount to cover 12 weeks. For example, we will only eat about 1-2 cans of soup a week. I know have about 10-12 cans of soup in my pantry. I was able to get many of these cans for .50-.75 cents each. If you will only eat soup every other week, then you would need 1/2 of this amount. Buying 12 weeks of an item sounds like a lot, but it really isn't as much as it may seem. Right now we also have 12 weeks of our families favorite cereal (which is about 6 boxes)- Lucky Charms and Honey Nut Cherrios. Most of these boxes were bought for about $1.50 (These were large boxes).
I hope that these grocery game tips have helped!!!
Meijer Shop on 10/26 (Saved $44.00)
This week's shop was very productive. I found everything on my list and got in and got of Meijer in less than 30 minutes.
I spent $79.00 dollars and saved $44.00. I had to buy a few things that weren't on sale but this was a good shop. I am very pleased that most weeks I have been able to keep our bills at 100.00 dollars or less.
Those of you who are watching the ads may have noticed that we are in a soup cycle. It seems like soup is on sale everywhere and the coupons in the Sunday paper are also for soup. If you haven't been paying attention to the cycles that occur, stores tend to offer certain items on sale during certain seasons. For example, ice cream was on sale quite a bit during the summer months. The trends change which is good because the theory to saving money is to stockpile (buy as much of an item that you would need over 12 weeks.) When a certain item is being featured over a few weeks the goal is to buy that item at its lowest price, if you buy 12 weeks of an item you will never have to pay full price for any item. Because this item will go on sale again when your stockpile begins to run out. This may sound like you are buying a lot of food, but it really depends on what your family eats. For example, sometime in August pasta was on sale. I bought 12 boxes of pasta, because I knew that we would eat at least a box a week.
How and where to store your food...
Many people who have joined the grocery game have used their savings from the first month for an extra freezer to help accomodate their stockpiles. We have an extra fridge/freezer from a recent fridge upgrade. I know that everyone doesn't have tons of extra cabinet space so some additional ways to store food would be in bins with lids. Most of the items you will stockpile are nonperishables. I have read about people who store these in their basement, garage, etc.
The key is to not overbuy. I know when I first started this process, I felt like I was still buying items that were on sale even though I had already created quite a stockpile. I acquired about 10 tubes of toothpaste and kept buying more. I kept thinking since I was buying toothpaste for .50-1.00, I couldn't pass up the deals. I finally had to force myself to make sure that I didn't buy more if I already had enough. It is amazing how you begin to go crazy with the sale prices of items and feel like you have to get it because it is on sale. I have learned every item will eventually go on sale again. The key is to try to make it without having to buy that item until it is on sale again. Some items I will be buying every week no matter if it is on sale or not: yogurt, milk, and some times meats...
I hope that you are beginning to understand this adventure. I know that I am thrilled that I have cut my grocery budget in 1/2 since I have started couponing. I still can't believe that I use to spend almost $800 a month on groceries. I try to stay close to $400 a month! Think of what you could do with $400 dollars extra a month!! Every little bit you save will help you with whatever financial goals you have!
I recommend you begin your coupon adventure!!
I spent $79.00 dollars and saved $44.00. I had to buy a few things that weren't on sale but this was a good shop. I am very pleased that most weeks I have been able to keep our bills at 100.00 dollars or less.
Those of you who are watching the ads may have noticed that we are in a soup cycle. It seems like soup is on sale everywhere and the coupons in the Sunday paper are also for soup. If you haven't been paying attention to the cycles that occur, stores tend to offer certain items on sale during certain seasons. For example, ice cream was on sale quite a bit during the summer months. The trends change which is good because the theory to saving money is to stockpile (buy as much of an item that you would need over 12 weeks.) When a certain item is being featured over a few weeks the goal is to buy that item at its lowest price, if you buy 12 weeks of an item you will never have to pay full price for any item. Because this item will go on sale again when your stockpile begins to run out. This may sound like you are buying a lot of food, but it really depends on what your family eats. For example, sometime in August pasta was on sale. I bought 12 boxes of pasta, because I knew that we would eat at least a box a week.
How and where to store your food...
Many people who have joined the grocery game have used their savings from the first month for an extra freezer to help accomodate their stockpiles. We have an extra fridge/freezer from a recent fridge upgrade. I know that everyone doesn't have tons of extra cabinet space so some additional ways to store food would be in bins with lids. Most of the items you will stockpile are nonperishables. I have read about people who store these in their basement, garage, etc.
The key is to not overbuy. I know when I first started this process, I felt like I was still buying items that were on sale even though I had already created quite a stockpile. I acquired about 10 tubes of toothpaste and kept buying more. I kept thinking since I was buying toothpaste for .50-1.00, I couldn't pass up the deals. I finally had to force myself to make sure that I didn't buy more if I already had enough. It is amazing how you begin to go crazy with the sale prices of items and feel like you have to get it because it is on sale. I have learned every item will eventually go on sale again. The key is to try to make it without having to buy that item until it is on sale again. Some items I will be buying every week no matter if it is on sale or not: yogurt, milk, and some times meats...
I hope that you are beginning to understand this adventure. I know that I am thrilled that I have cut my grocery budget in 1/2 since I have started couponing. I still can't believe that I use to spend almost $800 a month on groceries. I try to stay close to $400 a month! Think of what you could do with $400 dollars extra a month!! Every little bit you save will help you with whatever financial goals you have!
I recommend you begin your coupon adventure!!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Stay in touch with me....
Hello! It is funny how many of my friends have referred their friends to my blog. I love that I can help so many of you save money!
I started this blog because I was explaining my coupon adventure to my friends and they needed more instruction and more information.
I hope my research and the tricks and savings I find are helping your family with your budget. Whether, you are using the money you are saving to pay for gas, retirement, college, or something special I hope that you are finding success with some of my strategies.
Please feel free to comment on a posting when you have a question. My blog will email me when a comment is posted and I can answer your question via the blog. This way other blog readers will learn the answer as no question is a stupid question.
It is safe to log into this site and set up an account. One day you may want to set up a family blog via this site. We have also set up a family blog that has been a great resource as our friends and family are all over. This blog can be set up so it is a private account so no creepy people can see pictures of your babies.
Another way to keep informed of new postings, is to subscribe to the blog. The blog will email you every time I post new information. This is a great way to stay up to date with any great deals that you may miss out on if you don't know about them!!! :)
I thought that I would share some ways that we could keep in touch!!
I started this blog because I was explaining my coupon adventure to my friends and they needed more instruction and more information.
I hope my research and the tricks and savings I find are helping your family with your budget. Whether, you are using the money you are saving to pay for gas, retirement, college, or something special I hope that you are finding success with some of my strategies.
Please feel free to comment on a posting when you have a question. My blog will email me when a comment is posted and I can answer your question via the blog. This way other blog readers will learn the answer as no question is a stupid question.
It is safe to log into this site and set up an account. One day you may want to set up a family blog via this site. We have also set up a family blog that has been a great resource as our friends and family are all over. This blog can be set up so it is a private account so no creepy people can see pictures of your babies.
Another way to keep informed of new postings, is to subscribe to the blog. The blog will email you every time I post new information. This is a great way to stay up to date with any great deals that you may miss out on if you don't know about them!!! :)
I thought that I would share some ways that we could keep in touch!!
Deals in Chicago, Illinois
http://www.chicagoofficeoftourism.org/specialValues/
My husband sent me this link via a friend of his at work. This is a great site that gives discount coupons for restaurants and entertainment in downtown Chicago.
Many of our friends like to head up to Chicago to do some Christmas shopping and see the lights. Take a moment and check out this site before you go and you may be able to save some money!!
My husband sent me this link via a friend of his at work. This is a great site that gives discount coupons for restaurants and entertainment in downtown Chicago.
Many of our friends like to head up to Chicago to do some Christmas shopping and see the lights. Take a moment and check out this site before you go and you may be able to save some money!!
Discount Website!!
http://www.discount-shopping.mommysavesbig.com/
My friend Amy shared this website with me. It looks like a good site with many online discounts as well as coupons that can be printed.
My friend Amy shared this website with me. It looks like a good site with many online discounts as well as coupons that can be printed.
EBATES!
It is time to start thinking about Christmas shoppping!
Don't forget to set up an ebates account before you shop on line. Use my link on the side of my page and both of us will receive 10.00. If you haven't read my previous posts about ebates, it is a wonderful website. They pay you to shop. The only key is that you must go through their site first before you go to your store's website. They have over 900 stores that will ebates will pay you if you shop at them.
You will receive a percentage of your purchase price that will be added to your ebates account. I just logged on to check out our balance and to begin planning for Christmas. Every three months, they will send you a check if your earned total is more than 5.00. In August, we received a check for 25.00. In November, we are expecting a check for 60.00. This is rebate money as well as referring friends to their site.
Once you set up your own account, make sure you share this site with your friends and then you can get referral money as well! It is a wonderful thing...
Another bonus for online coupons is a site called http://www.retailmenot.com/ This site will show the online coupon codes for many of the stores that you shop at. This is where they ask for a promotional code. I use to get very frustrated that I didn't have a code and knew that I was missing out on a great discount.
Happy Shopping!
Don't forget to set up an ebates account before you shop on line. Use my link on the side of my page and both of us will receive 10.00. If you haven't read my previous posts about ebates, it is a wonderful website. They pay you to shop. The only key is that you must go through their site first before you go to your store's website. They have over 900 stores that will ebates will pay you if you shop at them.
You will receive a percentage of your purchase price that will be added to your ebates account. I just logged on to check out our balance and to begin planning for Christmas. Every three months, they will send you a check if your earned total is more than 5.00. In August, we received a check for 25.00. In November, we are expecting a check for 60.00. This is rebate money as well as referring friends to their site.
Once you set up your own account, make sure you share this site with your friends and then you can get referral money as well! It is a wonderful thing...
Another bonus for online coupons is a site called http://www.retailmenot.com/ This site will show the online coupon codes for many of the stores that you shop at. This is where they ask for a promotional code. I use to get very frustrated that I didn't have a code and knew that I was missing out on a great discount.
Happy Shopping!
Sure Deodorant
http://www.becentsable.net/2008/10/money-maker-sure-max-deodorant.html
The ladies at the Grocery Gathering posted this money maker. Print off the $1.00 off coupon and then send in the rebate.
Enjoy!
The ladies at the Grocery Gathering posted this money maker. Print off the $1.00 off coupon and then send in the rebate.
Enjoy!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Meijer and Internet Coupons
Hello! A coupon friend told me that she checked with Meijer and that they are still taking internet printed coupons. They are just being more cautious with it. I haven't made it back since the time that my cashier didn't take my printed coupons. So hopefully you will be fine the next time you shop!
Take care!
Take care!
Too busy to make my Meijer run!!
Since we were heading out of town for a soccer tournament, I knew that I wouldn't be able to do my Meijer shop on Saturday. I knew that I would need to hit Meijer sometime before Friday.
I had printed my list and attached my coupons and I was all ready to go!
Well, life got too busy and I never made it to the store!
I was so frustrated that I couldn't fit it in because it was a great list last week. I was only going to spend 50.00 and would have gotten almost 100 dollars worth of groceries. I would have hit almost 50% off. I had multiple coupons and would have added to our stockpile...
Oh well! Hopefully I can find some good deals this week!!
I had printed my list and attached my coupons and I was all ready to go!
Well, life got too busy and I never made it to the store!
I was so frustrated that I couldn't fit it in because it was a great list last week. I was only going to spend 50.00 and would have gotten almost 100 dollars worth of groceries. I would have hit almost 50% off. I had multiple coupons and would have added to our stockpile...
Oh well! Hopefully I can find some good deals this week!!
Sam's Club Shop
Well, I about had a heart attack during my last shopping trip. My dear husband decided we needed to make a Sam's run before we headed out of town for a soccer tournament. We needed snacks which would prevent us from buying concessions while we were in between games. His thinking that shopping at Sam's would save us money...
We went to Sam's this past Thursday night. I know that Sam's can have good prices, but with the grocery game I can get everything cheaper when it is one sale and then with coupons.
So, here we were at Sam's on a Thursday night with no coupons and no grocery list. To make matters worse, we had our children with us and no one had eaten dinner!!! Yes, I know a recipe for disaster!
Well, here is what we bought....,
Gatorade G2
Bottled Water
Propel
Adult Beverages
Hot Tamales
Cinnamon Rolls
BBQ Wings
Gushers
2 bags of Frito Lays
Turkey breakfast muffins
Laffy Taffy
Crackers - snack
Well, this total was $169 which is more twice what I usually spend at a grocery store. What also killed me was this was mostly junk food and snacks....
Oh well!!! Now I know why I love the Grocery Game and my coupons....
We went to Sam's this past Thursday night. I know that Sam's can have good prices, but with the grocery game I can get everything cheaper when it is one sale and then with coupons.
So, here we were at Sam's on a Thursday night with no coupons and no grocery list. To make matters worse, we had our children with us and no one had eaten dinner!!! Yes, I know a recipe for disaster!
Well, here is what we bought....,
Gatorade G2
Bottled Water
Propel
Adult Beverages
Hot Tamales
Cinnamon Rolls
BBQ Wings
Gushers
2 bags of Frito Lays
Turkey breakfast muffins
Laffy Taffy
Crackers - snack
Well, this total was $169 which is more twice what I usually spend at a grocery store. What also killed me was this was mostly junk food and snacks....
Oh well!!! Now I know why I love the Grocery Game and my coupons....
Monday, October 13, 2008
Meijer Shop (Saved $34)
Gotta love the grocery game!!
I did some shopping on Saturday. I have found that my new shopping routine is now grocery shopping on Saturday. It seems like this is the only time that I have now that I am back to work.
This week I had planned a few meals that I had a lot of the major ingredients for but not the seasoning that was needed. I am making a few yummy meals that were featured in this month's Everyday Food by Martha Stewart. This is a monthly cookbook magazine that is wonderful. My friend Kim told me about this magazine. Every month, I mark the pages for the meals that catch my eye and I try to make a few new things each month. I haven't gone wrong yet with any of their recipes.
Well. a few of the recipes called for some items that I didn't have the seasoning for. I plan on making Spicy Coconut Chicken Casserole, Lemon Shrimp and Rice, and Shrimp and Prosciutto Lasagna. I am also making a few recipes from my Better Homes and Garden magazine as well Puttanesca Sauce. The main ingredients for these recipes, chicken and shrimp, I had gotten on sale and are stockpiled in my freezer. So the majority of the ingredients were purchased on sale, I had to buy kalamato olives, anchovy paste, capers, ricotta cheese, prosciutto, and few other items. Unfortunately, I don't usually see these items on sale so I didn't save as great of a percentage during today's shop.
I spent $90 and saved $34
I also purchased steak that was on sale at Meijer and stocked up. I spent $25.00 on meat this week, and $11 on the extra ingredients (seasoning) needed for my recipes, and $10 on cleaning items. The remainder on miscellaneous items that were on sale this week.
I have many meals planned that should carry us for the next 2 weeks. We will be heading to a soccer tournament next weekend and I will not have time to grocery shop. I plan on making this shop of $90 last 2 weeks!!! I hope I can do it. Last time that I tried to skip a week of shopping, I ran out of milk but I think I am okay to make it these next 2 weeks.
I will let you know how I do!!
If you are interested in subscribing to Martha Stewart's Magazine: Everyday Food, I have included the link.
http://everydayfoodmagazine.com-sub.info/director?did=1&page=44&sourcegroup=google>kw=everyday%20food&crtv=1565995241&source=content&domain=EverydayFoodMagazine.com-sub.info&UMC=517&mtrack=New-Links-&partner=everydayfood.com-&xid=1&redirect=no&gclid=CLadptrOpJYCFRKIxwods23E5Q
Have a great week....
I did some shopping on Saturday. I have found that my new shopping routine is now grocery shopping on Saturday. It seems like this is the only time that I have now that I am back to work.
This week I had planned a few meals that I had a lot of the major ingredients for but not the seasoning that was needed. I am making a few yummy meals that were featured in this month's Everyday Food by Martha Stewart. This is a monthly cookbook magazine that is wonderful. My friend Kim told me about this magazine. Every month, I mark the pages for the meals that catch my eye and I try to make a few new things each month. I haven't gone wrong yet with any of their recipes.
Well. a few of the recipes called for some items that I didn't have the seasoning for. I plan on making Spicy Coconut Chicken Casserole, Lemon Shrimp and Rice, and Shrimp and Prosciutto Lasagna. I am also making a few recipes from my Better Homes and Garden magazine as well Puttanesca Sauce. The main ingredients for these recipes, chicken and shrimp, I had gotten on sale and are stockpiled in my freezer. So the majority of the ingredients were purchased on sale, I had to buy kalamato olives, anchovy paste, capers, ricotta cheese, prosciutto, and few other items. Unfortunately, I don't usually see these items on sale so I didn't save as great of a percentage during today's shop.
I spent $90 and saved $34
I also purchased steak that was on sale at Meijer and stocked up. I spent $25.00 on meat this week, and $11 on the extra ingredients (seasoning) needed for my recipes, and $10 on cleaning items. The remainder on miscellaneous items that were on sale this week.
I have many meals planned that should carry us for the next 2 weeks. We will be heading to a soccer tournament next weekend and I will not have time to grocery shop. I plan on making this shop of $90 last 2 weeks!!! I hope I can do it. Last time that I tried to skip a week of shopping, I ran out of milk but I think I am okay to make it these next 2 weeks.
I will let you know how I do!!
If you are interested in subscribing to Martha Stewart's Magazine: Everyday Food, I have included the link.
http://everydayfoodmagazine.com-sub.info/director?did=1&page=44&sourcegroup=google>kw=everyday%20food&crtv=1565995241&source=content&domain=EverydayFoodMagazine.com-sub.info&UMC=517&mtrack=New-Links-&partner=everydayfood.com-&xid=1&redirect=no&gclid=CLadptrOpJYCFRKIxwods23E5Q
Have a great week....
Info about my blog
Hello! I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather!
I have taken some time to organize my blog. I tagged each posting to help catalog what you may be looking for. For example, if you want to read about Meijer deals. You can look for any posting that discusses Meijer shopping.
Check out the categories on the side of my blog.
I have taken some time to organize my blog. I tagged each posting to help catalog what you may be looking for. For example, if you want to read about Meijer deals. You can look for any posting that discusses Meijer shopping.
Check out the categories on the side of my blog.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
10/4 Grocery Shop at Meijer
Great deals again!!!
I love the Grocery Game!
I spent 92 dolllars and saved 48 dollars.
This wasn't all groceries as I spent 24 dollars on Tide detergent and bathroom cleaner. Tide is on sale for 10 dollars. There is a dollar off coupon in the October P&G coupon flyer.
I saved 33 dollars on buying items that were on sale and I had 15 dollars in coupons.
Don't forget to check the Meijer Mealbox site at the top of this blog to get coupons for items. Gatorade and propel was on sale this week and they also had coupons from Meijer to add to the items.
I love the Grocery Game!
I spent 92 dolllars and saved 48 dollars.
This wasn't all groceries as I spent 24 dollars on Tide detergent and bathroom cleaner. Tide is on sale for 10 dollars. There is a dollar off coupon in the October P&G coupon flyer.
I saved 33 dollars on buying items that were on sale and I had 15 dollars in coupons.
Don't forget to check the Meijer Mealbox site at the top of this blog to get coupons for items. Gatorade and propel was on sale this week and they also had coupons from Meijer to add to the items.
No Internet Printed Coupons at Meijer
Today, I went to Meijer and found out some very disappointing news. Our Meijer has decided not to accepted printed internet coupons. I found this out as I was paying for my groceries. I had 2 internet coupons totaling 2.50. She said due to internet faud that our Meijer has decided not to accept these coupons. The coupons I had came from a reputable site coupons.com.
When I get a chance, I am going to call customer service to find out any additional information. I shared with the cashier that I had some last week and they were accepted. She said this new policy of this week.
So, you better start buying a newspaper!! On the plus side, I will save on ink and paper!
It is too bad that dishonest people have forced companies to enforce these new policies!
When I get a chance, I am going to call customer service to find out any additional information. I shared with the cashier that I had some last week and they were accepted. She said this new policy of this week.
So, you better start buying a newspaper!! On the plus side, I will save on ink and paper!
It is too bad that dishonest people have forced companies to enforce these new policies!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Ebates and Restaurant.com
We received an email today from a friend of ours who found a great deal through ebates and restaurant.com.
I had written about restaurant.com in a previous post. It is a gift certificate website. They offer discounts on gift certificates. I had checked out their site before and wasn't successful finding any restaurants in our area. This is also a great site if you know you are going on vacation or visiting family and/or friends in a larger city.
Well, J. Buck's a restaurant in our community is now featured on restaurant.com.
Here is the deal....First you need to register for an account with ebates. Please use the link on the side of my page. You and I will both get $10.00 if you register and make a purchase.
Please see my other post about ebates for more information. We have already received a check from them on August 15th for $25.00 for using their site. In November, we should be getting another check for $25.00. All for just shopping through their site!! I didn't believe this but it is true. I had read about ebates in Newsweek or Time. I can't remember which...
Once you are on the ebates site, go to stores and find restaurant.com. Once you are there it will show coupons that are available now. The coupon you want is a $25.00 gift card for $5.00. The code is THREE.
We were able to buy 4 for $20.00. This would be worth $100. Also, if you are a new member to ebates you would earn a credit of $10.00 and you also earn 15% on your purchase by going through ebates. This would be another 3.00 off. So in theory, you will be getting 100 dollars worth for $7.00. You won't receive your check for $13.00 until the next mail date of their checks which I think is November 15. Not too bad....
Act fast this expires on October 6.
I had written about restaurant.com in a previous post. It is a gift certificate website. They offer discounts on gift certificates. I had checked out their site before and wasn't successful finding any restaurants in our area. This is also a great site if you know you are going on vacation or visiting family and/or friends in a larger city.
Well, J. Buck's a restaurant in our community is now featured on restaurant.com.
Here is the deal....First you need to register for an account with ebates. Please use the link on the side of my page. You and I will both get $10.00 if you register and make a purchase.
Please see my other post about ebates for more information. We have already received a check from them on August 15th for $25.00 for using their site. In November, we should be getting another check for $25.00. All for just shopping through their site!! I didn't believe this but it is true. I had read about ebates in Newsweek or Time. I can't remember which...
Once you are on the ebates site, go to stores and find restaurant.com. Once you are there it will show coupons that are available now. The coupon you want is a $25.00 gift card for $5.00. The code is THREE.
We were able to buy 4 for $20.00. This would be worth $100. Also, if you are a new member to ebates you would earn a credit of $10.00 and you also earn 15% on your purchase by going through ebates. This would be another 3.00 off. So in theory, you will be getting 100 dollars worth for $7.00. You won't receive your check for $13.00 until the next mail date of their checks which I think is November 15. Not too bad....
Act fast this expires on October 6.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Buy a paper this Sunday!!!
I just received my email from Taylor town. They give a preview of the coupons that will be in our Sunday paper.
It looks like there will be 4 inserts with a lot of basic items that we all use. Yeah!!!
Check out the link to see what coupons will be in the paper. In other posting, I wrote about how you can receive these updates via email. Also know that some of the coupons they say will be in the paper depends on the area in which you live. More metropolitan areas get more coupons versus where we live. I know it is frustrating!
I receive my local paper on Sunday's but I plan on buying an extra paper. Most grocery stores will sell your local paper for $1.00!
http://www.taylortownpreview.com/id75.htm
It looks like there will be 4 inserts with a lot of basic items that we all use. Yeah!!!
Check out the link to see what coupons will be in the paper. In other posting, I wrote about how you can receive these updates via email. Also know that some of the coupons they say will be in the paper depends on the area in which you live. More metropolitan areas get more coupons versus where we live. I know it is frustrating!
I receive my local paper on Sunday's but I plan on buying an extra paper. Most grocery stores will sell your local paper for $1.00!
http://www.taylortownpreview.com/id75.htm
Free meals on your birthday
My friend Amy shared with me this great deal at Flattop!
Sign up to receive emails from Flattop grill and they will send you a certificate for a free meal on your birthday!
http://www.flattopgrill.com/contact.html
They also offer the same deal at Noodles and Company
http://www.fishbowl.com/clt/ndls/lp/join/join.asp?showhtml=true
Enjoy! Happy Birthday!!!
I also found this list online that lists all of the restaurants that also offer free meals.
http://www.mrcheapstuff.com/deals/2006/10/huge-list-of-restaurants-that-give-you-free-birthday-meals/
Sign up to receive emails from Flattop grill and they will send you a certificate for a free meal on your birthday!
http://www.flattopgrill.com/contact.html
They also offer the same deal at Noodles and Company
http://www.fishbowl.com/clt/ndls/lp/join/join.asp?showhtml=true
Enjoy! Happy Birthday!!!
I also found this list online that lists all of the restaurants that also offer free meals.
http://www.mrcheapstuff.com/deals/2006/10/huge-list-of-restaurants-that-give-you-free-birthday-meals/
September Grocery Savings
Time to look at this month's budget and spending on groceries....
8/31-9/7
Spent 65.00
Saved 35
9/8-9/14
Spent 103
Saved 76.00
9/15-9/21
Spent 110.00
Saved 46
9/21-9/27
Spent 0
9/28-10/4
Spent 46
Saved 27
Total month spent 323 and saved 184
On average, I spent only 80.75 a week on groceries!!! Not too bad. You may have noticed that I didn't spend any money on groceries one week. This is one of the wonderful things about the grocery game. Honestly, I could have also not shopped the following week as well. I only went to the store to get some items that were on sale. When you shop using the grocery game, the stockpile you end up creating is just amazing. There is always food in the cabinet that you can use to prepare for dinner! I did run out of milk yesterday, but otherwise I am in good shape with lots of things that we can eat.
Remember that you have to reverse your shopping/cooking philosophy to participate in the wonderful world of saving money. The trick is to plan the meals based on the food you have on hand (that you had gotten on sale) instead of planning your meals based on what you feel like eating. Once you get your stockpile going, you can plan your meals and then check your panty and/or freezer and find out that you already have these items!!
For more information about the grocery game make sure you check out my other posts!
8/31-9/7
Spent 65.00
Saved 35
9/8-9/14
Spent 103
Saved 76.00
9/15-9/21
Spent 110.00
Saved 46
9/21-9/27
Spent 0
9/28-10/4
Spent 46
Saved 27
Total month spent 323 and saved 184
On average, I spent only 80.75 a week on groceries!!! Not too bad. You may have noticed that I didn't spend any money on groceries one week. This is one of the wonderful things about the grocery game. Honestly, I could have also not shopped the following week as well. I only went to the store to get some items that were on sale. When you shop using the grocery game, the stockpile you end up creating is just amazing. There is always food in the cabinet that you can use to prepare for dinner! I did run out of milk yesterday, but otherwise I am in good shape with lots of things that we can eat.
Remember that you have to reverse your shopping/cooking philosophy to participate in the wonderful world of saving money. The trick is to plan the meals based on the food you have on hand (that you had gotten on sale) instead of planning your meals based on what you feel like eating. Once you get your stockpile going, you can plan your meals and then check your panty and/or freezer and find out that you already have these items!!
For more information about the grocery game make sure you check out my other posts!
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