This Wife's Savings

Oh me. This trip was almost enough to make me stay completely away from Target. The cashier messed up somehow and 2 of my $1 coupons didn't show up on my receipt. I don't know how it happen because I watched her every second.
And another mistake was the Juicy Juice was suppose to be $1.75 each, but they rang up at $2.99 each!!
I don't know if I'll go back with my coupons, or not.

2- Kleenex 4pk- 2.99 - on sale for 2.54each
2- .50 coupons = 2.04ea pk, or 51cents per box
1- Huggies baby wipes - 2.44
1- .50 coupon = 1.94
2- Juicy Juice 8pk. - 2.99each - was suppose to ring up 1.75ea
2- $1 coupons = 1.99each -eerrrrg
4- Vitamin water - on sale for $1 each = 4.00
3- Satin Care - .99each
3- .55 coupons = .44 each
4- All - .99 each
4- $1 off = .04 overage
1- Dove deodorant - .99
1- .75 coupon = .24
1- Lysol Healthy Touch - 4.99 - on sale for 2.48
1- .75 coupon = 1.73
1- Dial body wash = .89
1- .60 coupon = .29
2- Dove beauty bar soap - .97 each
2- $1 coupons = .06 overage
4 Clean & Clear - .99 each
4- $1 coupons = .04 overage
1- Tresemme hairspray - .99
1- $1 coupon = .01 overage
8 Ziploc bags = 1.00 each
4- $1/2 coupons = .50 each
1- 2pk. Garnier Fructis shampoos - 2.99 - on sale for 2.54
1- 2pk. Garnier Fructis conditioners - 2.99 - on sale for 2.54

Of course, 2 of the $1 coupons didn't show on the receipt, so my total was 32.45 after coupons

Sales & Coupons saved me $24.54
Mistakes with coupons & misprice cost me $4.49
I won't be going back to correct the $2.48 mistake on the Juice, it's not worth the gas. I will however think twice before I go back to Target for coupon shopping.

Posted by Daphne at 1:22 PM 1 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Target

Well, here it says No Issue on the coupon list. But here, it lists coupons from Proctor & Gamble. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I still don't understand why it said No Issue, lol.

Posted by Daphne at 8:46 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Coupon Preview

August 2008

Grocery & Household Needs - $462.65
Saved this month- $499.08

52% Savings!

How much of these savings were ....

CVS - $194.39
Walgreens - $176.06

Posted by Daphne at 4:04 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Savings Log

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Posted by Daphne at 4:00 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Spending Log

Pullups - 9.49
Prep H - 3.99
6 Dawn - 1.99ea - 11.94
2 Trident gum - 1.49ea - 2.98
4 Glade Plug-Ins - BOGO - 4.79/2 - 9.58

Coupons used:
1- $2 Pullups
1- $2 Wags coupon on Prep H
1- $3 Prep H ($1 overage)
3- 99cents Wags on Dawn
6- 50cents Dawn
1- 99cents Wags on Trident
2- 75cents Trident
2- BOGO Glade (Making them FREE!)

Used $4RR & $8.98 OOP
I was suppose to get $2RR for Pampers, but it either didn't print, or she didn't give it to me. I will try to contact Walgreens to find out what to do.

Total saved today - $42.86

Posted by Daphne at 3:43 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Walgreens

A whole lot of the items on my list were not stocked. Dang those storms lately that kept me at home!

What I did get:
4 Softsoap, on sale for 99cents each - $3.96
2 Ajax, BOGO - $1.79
1 Playtex Sport - $4.99

Coupons used:
4- 35cent coupons on Softsoap
1- $1 on Playtex Sport
I had 2- 20 cents coupons on the Ajax, but the receipt showed one as a coupon, one as a purchase, which essentially means neither came off. I don't know what happen.

Used $5.79ecb & $2.96 OOP
Got back $3ecb for the Playtex
Savings of $16.18

**After reading some other blogs about the $2/$10 and realizing that the coupon said, One per customer, not One per transaction, I've decided not to use it anymore. I just don't feel it's right.

Posted by Daphne at 3:30 PM 0 comments  

Labels: CVS, Grocery

Posted by Daphne at 8:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Coupon Preview

Well I guess I didn't get the news out there, that there was a coupon giveaway! Dixie- email me your address to one.mom.in.alabama (at) gmail.com and I will send you the Dog-related coupons. I'm also adding the ones from today's newspapers, so it will be well over $50. Hope your friend enjoys them.


I will try this coupon giveaway again, this time I will get the news out there!! First I need to go back through the coupons and see what date I need to set the deadline. More news later.

Posted by Daphne at 9:47 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Giveaways

This morning I went to Tots 2 Teens Consignment Sale, it was their 1/2 off day. I got some really cute clothes!! Look at what I got for only $17.75!!

Posted by Daphne at 12:00 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Clothing, Consignment

In my last post, I mentioned I used some coupons on Peter Pan PB.

I've been waiting on a sale all this month. [Since the coupons were in the August All You magazine, I haven't had them long.] But they were going to exp. on 8/31, I wanted to use them. And $1 for PB isn't bad.

But remember, just because you have coupons that are about to expire, doesn't mean you have to use them.

So what if they expire, there will be more along. Maybe the next go round, there will be a good sale.

As for the coupons after they expire? Overseas Military families can use expired coupons on their base for up to 6 months after the exp. date. For more information about sending your expired coupons to Military families, click HERE.

Posted by Daphne at 2:04 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Coupons

I had a few things I needed to pick up from Walmart, so I had a quick look through my coupons to maximize my time in the store.

Here's what I got:
4 Gummi Savers - .58 cents each
2- BOGO coupons
3 TGI Friday Frozen Snacks - $2.98 each
3- $3 off coupons
4 Peter Pan PB - $1.98
4- $1 coupons
5 Vitamin Water- on sale for 5/$5
5- 50 cent coupons
1 Wet Jet refill - $3.78
1- 50 cent coupon
1- 50pk sheet protectors- needed from my coupon binder & household notebook - $3.67
1- tomato - .67 cents
1- head of lettuce - .98 cents

Total - $18.78
Saved - $17.16 - 48%

Posted by Daphne at 1:43 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Walmart

[This is my very first giveaway!]

Coupon Giveaway #1 - Cat related Items

What I have for you to win, is over $12 in coupons for Cat-related items. Some of the coupons are for completely free items, no purchase necessary.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this thread before ... midnight Central Time- Saturday August 23, 2008. I will use a random generator to choose a winner and announce it on this blog on Sunday August 24, 2008.

If you don't mind, post about this giveaway on your own blog! Thanks & Good Luck Everyone!

Posted by Daphne at 6:20 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Giveaways

Coupon Giveaway #2 - Baby Items

What I have for you to win, is $14.50 in coupons for Diapers and other Baby-related items.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this thread before ... midnight Central Time- Saturday August 23, 2008. I will use a random generator to choose a winner and announce it on this blog on Sunday August 24, 2008.

If you don't mind, post about this giveaway on your own blog! Thanks & Good Luck Everyone!

Posted by Daphne at 6:20 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Giveaways

Coupon Giveaway #3- Dog-related Items

What I have for you to win, is over $50 in coupons for Dog-related items. Some of the coupons are for completely free items, no purchase necessary.

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this thread before ... midnight Central Time- Saturday August 23, 2008. I will use a random generator to choose a winner and announce it on this blog on Sunday August 24, 2008.

If you don't mind, post about this giveaway on your own blog! Thanks & Good Luck Everyone!

Posted by Daphne at 6:20 PM 1 comments  

Labels: Giveaways

Thanks to Budget Help$, who tells us......

"Enter TGI Friday's Awesome BBQ Sweepstakes and you will receive the coupon "Save $3.00 on any one TGI Friday's Frozen Snack". You will also be able to print as many as you like which is great because they are good through December 31, 2008."

Posted by Daphne at 12:50 PM 1 comments  

Labels: Coupons, Linky Love

CVS: 08/31 - 09/06 Weekly ECB Deals - Go Here

For August's Monthly ECBS deals, go HERE

thanks to i heart cvs


Some of my favorites:

• Tylenol Extra Strength or Rapid Release BOGO (20-24ct)
• Covergirl Outlast Lip or AquaSmoothers face makeup BOGO ($4.99-9.99)
• Rice Krispie treats -$1.69 - Great for those of us who still have some $1/2 coupons left!
• Neutrogena Lip $5.99 - $3ecb (limit2)
• Covergirl Wetslicks AmazeMint $5.99- $5.99ecb! (limit1)
• Gillette Venus Embrace (Breeze or Vibrance) $9.99- $3ecb (limit1)
• select Colgate toothpastes $2.99- $2ecb (limit2)
• Accu-chek Aviva or Compact Plus $9.99- &9.99ecb (limit1)
• Kleenex $2.19 BOGO
• Dawn 110z. I can't see the sale price, ANYONE KNOW??? I have several coupons!

Posted by Daphne at 11:49 AM 0 comments  

Labels: CVS Preview

Posted by Daphne at 11:40 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Linky Love

Posted by Daphne at 11:31 AM 1 comments  

Labels: Contests

Things I've learnt so far this month, from my Spending Log & Coupon/Stockpile Journey

1. I spend Way Too Much on fast food. I will be trying to leave for shopping right after we eat, that way we won't be hungry. My plan is to pack a "car snack bag" filled with some snacks/drinks that would hold us over. And possibly some sandwiches in a cooler, if I know we are going to be gone too long.
2. Getting started stock-piling is not easy. It's sometimes hard to watch money goes towards something I don't need Right This Minute. Even if it's pennies on the dollar compared to full price. In time, I know I will reap the benefits. Just getting started though, whew.
3. I've saved more this past week than I have in previous whole months. I can't believe I've saved over $400 in Grocery/Household items so far this month!
4. Making the decision to start my Coupon binder was a Great Idea! I know exactly where to find coupons, can view them quickly and it makes me "feel" organized.
5. I plan to expand my Spending Log. That will help me see how much of my savings is: [a] just CVS [b] just Walgreens [c] other grocery/household (not including all other categories, ex. Clothing)
6. After talking with a good friend [who I think should start blogging too=) ] about her recent trip to Sam's club, I think I may give it another try. [After all, it has been YEARS since I've been inside a Sam's.] But only if I can find my coupon that entitles me to a free visit, or if I can find another one. I want to make a trial run before I decide whether or not it's worth the yearly membership fee, and the gas to drive all the way to B'ham. It will definitely be a once monthly or so trip.
7. Not all coupons are worth using. If it's a product that I don't usually use and wouldn't miss, getting 40cents off $4.99 isn't worth my time. Unless I can work up a really good deal at CVS or Walgreens. =)
8. You shouldn't wait til mid-week to go to CVS/WAGS. You will miss some of the deals, because ... they will be out. Yes you can sometimes get a rain check, but when I have my transactions already planned out, it messes everything up when something isn't stocked.
9. People will either be Amazed at your savings, or totally Resistant. Don't ask me why someone wouldn't want to learn how to save money. I'm always amazed when I read other blogger's savings stories. And if I can help one person start their savings journey, then I've done something good!

My current breakdown

(I will start fresh in September with more categories)

Spent on Grocery/Household - $416.17

Saved on Grocery/Household- $420.91

50% SAVINGS!

Posted by Daphne at 10:45 AM 2 comments  

Labels: Misc

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $65.04 - $15.02 this weekend
Grocery & Household Needs - $416.17 - CVS, Walgreen, WalMart, Princess'es birthday cake
Fast Food - $61.01
Clothing - $18.12 - Old Navy & Kohls this weekend, I had a $10 off $10 purchase at Kohls
Misc - $83
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $85.13
Coupon sources - $24 - 4 Sunday Newspapers, 2 All You magazines
Total - $782.47
Available ECBs/RRs - $10.79/$4
Saved this month- $453.31

Posted by Daphne at 6:55 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Spending Log

3 Ragu Sauce - $5
3 Skippy PB - $5
2 Ban Deoderant - BOGO - $3.49
Bic Soleil Refill - $5.99
4 Dove Shampoos - BOGO - $4.99/2
2 Dove Conditioners - BOGO - $4.99/2
-$1.20 Skippy
-$.40 Skippy (I accidentally handed her 4, but it went through) - making them $3.40
-$.75 Ragu
-$.25 Ragu (same with the Ragu as the Skippy) - making them $4
-$8 Dove - making all 4- $1.98
-$2 Wags coupon on Bic Soleil refill
-$3 Bic Soleil refill - making it $.99
-$2 Ban - making them $1.49
=$14.22 OOP
Savings- $37.07
Got $4 RR for buying 6 of the Ragu/Skippy deal


Wanna see more Walgreens (and other drugstore savings)? Check out The Centsible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas!

Posted by Daphne at 5:30 PM 3 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Walgreens

Trans #1
2 Glade - 88cents each
1 Bandaid Ultra - 4.49
1 Neo to Go Spray - 6.99
-$2/$10
-$.88 Glade BOGO coupon - making them both $.88
-$1 Neosporin - making it $5.99
-$1 Bandaids - making them $3.49
-$8ecbs
$ .54 OOP
Got back $5 ecbs
Savings- $13.90

Trans #2
2 Sunsilk Shampoo - BOGO - $4.29/2
2 Sunsilk Conditioner - BOGO - $4.29/2
4 Sunsilk Styling Cremes - BOGO - $8.58/4
-8- $1.50 coupons ($12) - making all 8 only- $5.16
-$2/$10
= $4.37 OOP
Savings- $31.16

Less than $5 OOP for the entire trip & walked away with $10.79 in ecbs (I had $5.79 prior that I didn't use) TOTAL SAVINGS TODAY- $45.06

Wanna see more CVS Savings? Visit the Centsible Sawyer's CVS Superstars!

Posted by Daphne at 5:09 PM 0 comments  

Labels: CVS, Grocery

There's some good coupons in the up-coming Sunday newspaper. Not as great as the past 2 weeks, but good enough that I will still be buying 4 papers this week. Look at my faves:
(exp. dates)

Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bread FREE up to $3.89 (9-7-08) - This alone is worth the cost of the newspaper!

Sunsilk Crème or Styling Aid, any $1.50 (10-12-08)
Sunsilk Shampoo or Conditioner, any $1.50 (10-12-08)
CVS has "ALL Sunsilk Hair Care [4.29-4.49ea]" BOGO this week - With 2 coupons you can get 2 bottles for $1.29-1.49 - Great Deal! Stock Up!!!

LOreal Eye Product, any $1 (11-9-08)
LOreal Lip Product, any $2 (11-9-08)
Save these and watch for BOGO deals at CVS & Walgreens!!

Russell Stover Internationale or Private Reserve, 3.95 oz.+ B1G1F (2-28-09)

Dove Hair Care Product, any $2 (11-17-08) - Walgreens will be having these a Buy 1 for $4.99 Get 1 Free sale starting 8/17 - Would make it $1 for 2 bottles

Dove Skin Vitalizer, any $3.50 (11-9-08) Walgreens will be having this on sale for $9.99 with $3RR making it $3.49 after RR

Skippy Peanut Butter Product, any 15 oz.+ .60 (11-9-08) Walgreens will be having a sale 3/$5, and get $1.50RR - After coupons & RR they will be $1.70 for all 3 jars


Check Taylortown Preview for a complete list of this week's coupons!

Posted by Daphne at 2:11 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Coupon Preview

Posted by Daphne at 12:42 PM 0 comments  

Labels: CVS

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $50.02
Grocery & Household Needs - $282.38 - CVS, Walgreen, WalMart
Fast Food - $49.08
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $83
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $85.13 - Omeprazole & 3 RXs this week
Coupon sources - $14
Total - $598.61
Available ECBs/RRs - $13.79/0
Saved this month- $324.18

Posted by Daphne at 4:38 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Spending Log

3 boxes of kleenex - 0.89ea with wags coupon
Bic Soleil Razor - 5.99
Omeprazole 42ct - 19.99
4 Covergirl Eye shadow - BOGO - 2.99ea
4 Loreal Eye shadow - BOGO - 3.99ea
2 Aquafresh toothpastes - BOGO with wags coupon - 2.19
14 pks. Bic Pens - 2/$1 - 7.00

-$ .50 kleenex - making them $2.17
-$2 wags coupon Bic Soleil &
-$2 Bic Soleil manuf. coupon - making it $1.99
-$4 Covergirl - making them $1.98
-$8 Loreal - making them FREE with .02 overage
-$1.50 Aquafresh - making them $0.69
-$7 Bic Pens - making them FREE
Total - $30.94
Savings of $64.51
And I will get a $5 rebate on the Omeprazole, which I have to have anyway...


Wanna see more Walgreens (and other drugstore savings)? Check out The Centsible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas!

Posted by Daphne at 4:12 PM 1 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Walgreens

3 Huggies Pull-ups - 26.97
1 Alavert 12ct. - 5.99
1 Children's Advil - 5.79
-$2/$10 CVS
-$6 Huggies
-$4 Alavert
-$1 Advil
Paid with
$12.50 ecb
$15.41 cash
Savings of $43.20
ECBS Earned:
$5 Huggies
$3 Alavert
$5.79 Advil
$13.79 Total Ecbs for next week

Also my free gift printed, I got a CVS toothbrush ($1.99 value) FREE

I wanted to do the Lamisil/Lamisilk deal, but my store was out of Lamisilk and I misplaced my 2nd Lamisil coupon =( I would have gotten both products for free, and came away with $2 more ECBs than I did.

Wanna see more CVS Savings? Visit the Centsible Sawyer's CVS Superstars!

Posted by Daphne at 4:01 PM 0 comments  

Labels: CVS, Grocery

blockbuster.com

Use promo code augappreciation to get $10 off a $10 or more purchase on pre-viewed videos.

And if you opt for first class shipping, it's free shipping.

I just got Transformers & Simpsons: The Movie for $5.39 each. Minus my promo code, and plus tax, I paid 85 cents OOP!!!

Posted by Daphne at 12:51 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Entertainment

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $50.02
Grocery & Household Needs - $161.28 - ran out of cat food & bread
Fast Food - $44.23
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $83 - 10 local newspapers (25cents each) b/cuz my daughter's picture is in it for her birthday tomorrow, & 1.99 for shipping on a Kraft Singles Saver Offer that gets me a "Saver" to store my cheese slices in.
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $37.78
Coupon sources - $14 - 4 big newspapers this weekend
Total - $425.31
Available ECBs/RRs - $12.50/0
Saved this month- $210.93

Posted by Daphne at 12:13 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Spending Log

I had no idea I was spending that much on fast food! In my defense (lol) I have went shopping on more days than I usually do. But I know that is just unacceptable.

I have always got fast food for me & the kids after grocery shopping. It's always cheap (think dollar menu) and a good treat for every once in a while. But that was when grocery shopping was one day a week.

I will have to figure something out.

Whether it be take food with us, or shopping at a different time of the day. I know I can't hit all the stores I want in one single day ... hmmm....

I will figure it out and Conquer this Fast Food Dilemma!!!

Posted by Daphne at 1:02 PM 1 comments  

Labels: Misc

As you can see from my last post, I've spent $143 on groceries & household needs. And it's only one week into the month. That looks (and sounds) really, well... bad. It is a lot more than I would normally spend, but see these points:

• That total is not just food. It is all things used for personal use in the home. Anything from toothpaste, to razors, to cleaning supplies, to toilet paper, to batteries, to makeup, to pet food, etc...
• I am in the beginning stages of CVS & Walgreens. I'm learning the system, I'm learning from trial and error. I've done rather well at these stores, actually.
• I am in the beginning stages of stockpiling. It is impossible to get stockpiled on Every Single Thing you buy without coming OOP in the beginning. But! Just think how long it will be before I run out of cereal, or toothpaste, or snack food & have to buy it again. A long time! But I will stockpile again before I run out...
• I have just moved from being a coupon user, to being an avid coupon user. And Yes there is a BIG difference. I have started my coupon binder and that alone has cost close to $25 to start. Plus I am learning all the store rules, policies & regulations.
• I am going to get rebates on some of the items I have bought. When the rebate comes in, it will goes towards more groceries/household needs. So that will be less spent OOP in the future.
• I feed a family of 4. One man who eats, well a lot... one boy who eats, well a lot too. And I'm a SAHM with a 3 year old at home and a 6 year old at school, I cook 3 meals a day. And sending lunch to school occasionally. And sending snack & juice to school daily.
• I am still buying diapers/pullups. That alone should say something.
• I have ECBs from some of my purchases at CVS, they are just like money. They will help me save on items next week, so I will spend less OOP.
• If you looked at my weekly grocery bill around the beginning of the year, you would see that I would spend anywhere from $85-$150 a week. And I wasn't stockpiling Anything! I wasn't using coupons, or getting many things on sale either. And the only place I grocery shopped was Walmart.

My coupon binder is similar to the one below:

Posted by Daphne at 12:25 PM 2 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Misc

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $35.02
Grocery & Household Needs - $142.85 - Will have a post about this...
Fast Food - $40.15 - Ouch! This REALLY needs to STOP!
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $78.51 - Needed a book of stamps!
School Lunch - $30
School Misc -
Medical - $37.78
Coupon sources - $8
Total - $377.31
Available ECBs/RRs - $12.50/0
Saved this month- $210.93

Posted by Daphne at 12:16 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Spending Log

I had planned to make another trip to CVS to get the rest of what was on my list, but didn't want to go that far from home today. I will just wait until next week to use my ECBs. So I stopped by WalMart and used their Price Match to get the following:

• For My Kellogg's Rebate deal:
• 4 boxes of Rice Krispie's treats -saved 71cents per box with Price Match- I had 2- $1/2 coupons
• 6 boxes of Pop Tarts -saved 3cents per box with Price Match- I had 3- $1/2 coupons
• Will receive $10 Rebate
• After Price Match, Coupons & Rebate, all 10 items will cost me $2.90 plus tax

I couldn't get the Kleenex BOGO deal, as Walmart does not Price Match on BOGO deals, but was in desperate need of Kleenex, as my children's allergies have kicked in.

• I got 3 boxes at $1.18each and I had a $.50/3 coupon, so they cost me $3.04 plus tax

Total spend after coupons was $17.66

Total savings [before rebate] - $8.49

Posted by Daphne at 12:49 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Walmart

This was my very first trip to CVS since I got into coupons. I was really disappointed. They didn't have half the products on my list. So I will have to find another CVS to get my Kellogg's products for the Kellogg's rebate. [Yes I know I bought Kellogg's products at Walgreen's yesterday, but they all have to be in the same transaction, and CVS has the products I want to get, just not at the store I visited today] 4 of my coupons wouldn't go through, so she finally had to manually put them in. I was in there forever! And I used 4 BOGO coupons along with the BOGO deal on the Covergirl makeup, so all 8 should have been free. But the way the lady did it, I paid $3 more than I should have. And I didn't notice the difference until I got home. Oh well, a lesson learned I guess.



So here's what I got:

• 2 Crest Pro-Health toothpastes -on sale for $2.49ea - I had 2- 75 cents off coupons
• 2 Crest w/Scope toothpastes -on sale for $2.49ea- I had 2- 75 cents off coupons
• 1 Oral B Advantage toothbrush - on sale for $2.49 - I had $1 off coupon
• [These 5 above items gave me $7.50 in ECBs]
• 1 Colgate toothpaste - $2.99 - I had a $1.50 coupon
• [Colgate got me $2 in ECBs]
• 1 Gillette Fushion razor - on sale for $9.99 - I had a $4 off coupon
• [Gillette got me $3 ECBs]
• 4 Pert BOGO - $3.69 each - I had 4- $2 off coupons - HAD REBATE FOR THIS
• 8 Covergirl makeups BOGO [9.49, 9.49, 8.99, 7.99, 7.49, 5.49, 5.49, 5.49] - I had 4 BOGO coupons, which would have made all 8 free, but ... instead I paid $3 for all 8 products, still not bad I guess

My Total saved - $88.90

My Total ECBs - $12.50

My Total OOP - $24.09

**Would have gotten the Pert Rebate - Buy $5 worth of Pert Plus and/or Sure products, get up to $5 in FREE school supplies - but I neglected to read it in it's entirety until I got home and realized you had to buy the school supplies, then they send the refund. At least I got all the Pert products for free after my coupons!! Another lesson. At least it wasn't a big mistake!

Posted by Daphne at 2:07 PM 3 comments  

Labels: CVS, Grocery

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $35.02 - $20.01 this week
Grocery & Household Needs - $98.10 ($71.13 this week)
Fast Food - $29.07 - Ouch! This needs to STOP!
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $70.11 - needed new printer ink this week
School Lunch -
School Misc -
Medical - $37.78 - LittleMan had to go to the doctor, he had an allergic reaction!! (plus meds)
Coupon sources - $8 ($6 on 4 newspapers, $2 on 1 magazine)
Total - $283.08 Not great, but I have stocked up on some things plus the visit to the doctor!
Saved this month- $113.54

I have added a new category. Coupon sources. Which is mainly newspapers & magazines. I also combined Grocery, Household Needs and Pets into one category.

I am headed to get LittleMan a haircut tomorrow, as he is going back to school Thursday. I then plan to hit CVS for some Great deals! I couldn't find the CVS in the town I was in today.. ??? hmmm. This will be my first trip to CVS since I started couponing.

Posted by Daphne at 9:15 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Spending Log

All I can say is Wow! This is the first time I have saved over $20 in one visit to Walmart. I went to Walmart after my trip to Walgreens, so the main thing I noticed was .... rudeness. They didn't want to take some coupons because I had more than one of several. I had to explain the difference between a purchase and a transaction. Then they had to get a CSR over because I had so many coupons. They were not happy with me, even if they didn't say it, I could see it all over their faces. **I told the people in line behind me that I had several coupons and that it would take a bit longer because of that, just so they would know ahead of time.** I mean come on people, I am saving more than a few dollars here!!

My total before coupons & tax was $112.42. After my 24 coupons, my total was $53.63 ($8.99 was tax, Walmart taxes the full amount before coupons). My savings total $67.78! (56% saved)

What I got:

• 15 packets of Koolaid, for the B3 get Free deals below... (I did this deal last week too)
• 3 pounds of Ground beef
• 1 pack of B/L S/L chicken breasts
• Chocolate chip waffles
• shredded mozzarella cheese
• Kraft American singles (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
• Oscar Mayer hot dogs (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
• 4pk Pillsbury biscuits (50 cents off)
• Crystal Light To-go (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids, also had a 50 cents off coupon!)
• Big box of Ramen noodles
• 2 boxes of fruit snacks
• Hamburger Helper (50 cents off)
• Wheat Thins (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
• Lasagna noodles
• Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber starter kit ($2.75 off)(I also have a Rebate for this, so it will be FREE with possible 2.75 overage!!!)
• One Touch Ultra Mini Blood Glucose Monitor (FREE with coupon)(will be given to my Papaw)
• bag of Puffcorn
• 5 pks. Durex =) (FREE with $2 off each, plus 85 cents overage for all 5)
• Kotex (FREE with $1 off)
• V8 juice (FREE with $3 coupon, plus $1 overage!)
• 2 Dawn Direct Foam dishwashing liquid ($1.50 off each)
• 1 lg & 1 sm Cream of chicken soup
• Kraft Ranch dressing (FREE by buying 3 Koolaids)
• 2 alfredo sauces
• 2 Great Value green beans
• 1 Green Giant green beans (50 cents off)
• 4 Glade scented oil air fresheners ($4 off each - less than $1 each with the coupons!!)
• 2 Equate foam hand washing liquid
• hamburger buns
  

All in red was FREE, all in red or blue had a coupon.

Posted by Daphne at 8:26 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Walmart

This was my very first purchase at Walgreen's. I was kind of nervous, mainly because it was new for me, and I couldn't find one of the items I had on my list. My list that took me quite a while to compose, with all my transactions separate, coupled with coupons, etc. I found the employees to be Extremely nice & they even told me how impressed they were with my organization! Yay for the nice Walgreen's Employees!

What I got:

• 4 Kellogg's cereal - they were running really low on most of the ones included with the RR deal, but I got Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran Crunch & 2 Frosted Flakes (I used 2 coupons worth $1/2) $3 for all 4 boxes after RR
• 4 Lifesavers BOGO - (I used 2 BOGO coupons, so all 4 bags were free!!)
• Angel Soft Toilet paper (I used a WAG coupon to make it 99 cents)
• 2 Beef Jerky 2/$5
• 4 Kellogg's Special K bars (I used a BOGO coupon & 3 $1 off coupons, after RR they were FREE)
• 2 pks Energizer "D" batteries (I used a WAG coupon to make them $2.99 each, then had 2 $1 coupons) $1.99 each
• and a $1.99 candy filler, not pictured because my kids ate it!

The overall total, after sales & my Great coupons was $17.50 OOP

I got 2 Kellogg's deals worth $5RR each and went ahead and used all my RR towards other things since I do not know when I will have time to go back. {Maybe next time I will start rolling the RR on a weekly basis.} My total savings today - $41.66!! (70% savings!!)

Posted by Daphne at 8:17 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Grocery, Walgreens

August 2008 Monthly Totals

Gasoline - $15.01
Grocery -
Household Needs - $20.47
Pets - $6.50
Fast Food - $6.75
Clothing - $5.00
Misc - $44.50
School Lunch -
School Misc -
Total - $98.23
Saved - $4.10

What a rough start to August already. I take full blame for spending too much yesterday. I was in a crabby mood and set out with the intention to blow money. Which is something I need to learn how to control. It's like eating when I'm depressed, I feel like I can't stop.
Which is why I want to log everything I spend this month. I will not include our regular bills or what my hubby spends. Mainly because he never keeps receipts and doesn't remember where his money goes.

My Breakdown so far:
Gasoline - $15.01 - I almost always run over a penny or two.
Household Needs - $20.47 - This was batteries and pull-ups for Princess
Pets - $6.50 - cat food, it's all my 2 dogs will eat, Ha!
Fast Food - $6.75 - lunch @ KFC
Clothing - $5.00 - shorts for Princess on sale at TJ Maxx
Misc - $44.50 - new cups for Princess, we just got rid of the sippy cup, other new plastic dinnerware for Princess, some notebooks on sale, all the stuff to start my coupon binder, a toy for LittleMan to give Princess for her birthday in 2 weeks
Total - $98.23
Saved - $4.10 - 2.50 coupon on pull ups, the rest is savings from not paying tax [tax-free weekend]

Posted by Daphne at 5:00 PM 1 comments  

Labels: Spending Log

Posted by Daphne at 2:40 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Making Money

For Me:

For LittleMan:

For Princess:

For Neice#5, due in October:

This was my favorite find of the day. LittleMan has been needing some better boots, and I got these for only $3.88!

My total before tax was $44.10 What great deals!!

Posted by Daphne at 2:28 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Clothing, Thrift Store

I l.o.v.e. thrift stores!

Thrift stores are my main way of buying clothes.


You can get so many name-brand clothing for such a cheap price. Many of the clothes are in excellent shape. But you do need to keep your eyes open for imperfections, such as holes, tears, stains, buttons missing, zippers broken, etc.

Check with your thrift store to see when they pick up from the "ritzy" part of the neighborhood. Then go shopping there 2-3 days later. {ex. They pick up on Tuesday, Unload & Price on Wednesday, and Put out on Thursday, go shopping on Thursday.}

Also many thrift stores offer a day when they mark certain items down by 10, 30 and even 50%.

Don't be afraid to ask these question to save your self even more money!

Some thift stores are now offering New clothing also!

I am always adding posts showing my Thrift Store finds, to view them click HERE or on "Thrift Store" under my labels.

Posted by Daphne at 2:06 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Saving Money

Always check your store for a clearance/sales rack or area.

You can also go to your favorite store's websites and sign up for their email alerts which will tell you when they are going to have a sale.

Sometimes they may even email you coupons or e-coupons.

All their full-price clothing will go on sale every few weeks or so. So just keep a look out and you may be able to get your favorites for the sale price!

Posted by Daphne at 1:57 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Saving Money

And I don't mean going to Sam's Club either. {Which, isn't bad, but I'm not into having to pay a membership fee just to be able to shop there. But that's another post...}

When you're using your coupons, and/or using your loyalty card, and/or using price match, you're getting a good price, right? Right.

Stock up when the items are on sale. And you will not have to pay full price on it later. You can just get it from your stockpile. Even if it seems like a lot out of pocket to begin with, it's really just paying a percentage overall.

Just don't forget that you will be continuously replenishing your stockpile. There's always a sale on something. And you don't want to run out and have to pay full price.

Posted by Daphne at 11:35 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Saving Money

Using Walmart's price match is as easy as it sounds. The main thing I use price match for is Milk. Milk can range anywhere from $2.99 to $5 a gallon at any given store.

Milk at my Walmart this week was $4.20. In the Walgreen ad, I saw that their milk was on sale for $3.79.

So, when I checked out, I just showed the ad to my cashier before she rang up the milk, and I got 2 gallons for $3.79 each.

Walmart will match any competitors price, within a 50 mile radius. [Some people have said 60 miles, but I was told by an employee at my Walmart it is 50 miles for our store.]

The only deals they DO NOT match is the Buy One Get One Free deals.

So, this Sunday when you're getting your coupons out of the paper, don't forget to pull out all your locals grocery store ads and look them over. [and pharmacy ads, etc.]

Posted by Daphne at 11:08 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Saving Money

I'm not as familiar with loyalty cards as I'd like to be. The only store that I currently use a loyalty card with is Winn Dixie. And I'm learning more about CVS-ing before I start there. I do know that these stores have some pretty great deals, that you can only get if you have and use their store card.

What I've learned recently about CVS & Walgreens (Walgreens does NOT have a store card, the specials are for everyone!) is the best time to use your coupons is in conjunction with their deals. Especially their Buy One Get One Free deals.

For example, CVS is having a sale on Covergirl. Buy any Covergirl product, Get one free.

[If you're signed up at Covergirl's website, they will periodically email you coupons that you can usually print two of. ]

Here's where the fun begins. Say the Covergirl products are $7.99 each, but you get one free, so together they are $7.99. And you happen to have 2 coupons for $4 each. You can use 2 coupons on these deals! So you can get both for free.

This is just an example. Your coupons could be for $3 each and you spend $2 out of pocket. Which is still a great deal.

And it's not always on make-up.

[If I'm not wrong, I believe on the BOGO deals, you can also use any coupon for the same product that says BOGO and get 3 for the price of 1. That also could be only certain stores or cities, not sure yet.]

Even when you do not have coupons, you can score some really great buys!

But you can't get them if you do not sign up for the store's loyalty card.

Posted by Daphne at 10:51 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Saving Money