This is what $20 looks like at Bi-Lo....

I think if I hadn't bought the toilet paper, my total would have been $15.69 for everything else- unfortunately, I can't get the free 4 pack Cottonelle from Kroger anymore, so right now my "buy" price is less than $0.40 per roll for double; $0.20 for regular. Here's the breakdown:

Cottonelle 12 double roll $5.77 used $0.50, doubled
4 Orville Popcorn B1/G1- $1.25 ea used (4) $0.40, doubled
2 Enchilada kits 2/$4 used $1/2
Airheads Extremes $0.79 used $0.55, doubled to sale price
3 Glass Plus B1/G1- $1.54 ea used (3) $0.50, doubled
Purex detergent B1/G1- $2.13 used $0.35, doubled
Purex Fabric Softener B1/G1- $2.13 used $0.55, doubled
2-2000 flushes B1/G1- $1.78 used (2) $0.55, doubled
2- Glade Aerosol B1/G1- $0.73 ea used B1/G1 q- took off $0.73 (pd $0.73 for 2)
Electrasol (lg size) B1/G1 - $3.86 used $2.50 q
4 Eggo Waffles B1/G1- $1.24 ea used (4) $0.75 q's

OOP: $20.86
Saved $19.22

Free Toothbrushes at Walmart

3 Toothbrushes $1 ea used (3) $1 q's

3 Colgate toothpaste $1 ea used (3) $0.75 q's

2 Olay Soap $2.48 ea used (2) $2 q's

Glade Lasting Impresions $5 used $4 q

Glade Sense & Spray $5 used $4 q

2 Velveeta singles $0.98 ea used $1.50/2 printable located here: http://brands.kraftfoods.com/sharealittlecomfort/

OOP: $5.70

Saved $18.75

JANE Make-up on clearance at Walgreen's

My store didn't have much left- I noticed it on sale a few weeks ago, and kept forgetting to take my $2 coupons.

2 foundations $3.49 ea

Eyeliner $2.19

used (2) $2 q's & a $5 register reward

OOP: $0.81

Saved: $9.00

Kroger

I'm waiting patiently for a good sale on Coke....until then-

12 pk Coke $3.67 used $1 from Coke Rewards

Kro Milk $1.99

Kro Fro Hamburger patties $7.59

Kro whipped topping $0.88

2 Softsoap $1 ea used (2) $0.35, doubled

Kro Ice Cream cones $1

2 Sara Lee Bread B1/G1= $1.29 ea (put one in the freezer for next week)

OOP: $17.93

Saved: $2.40

CVS

I haven't been overly thrilled with the drugstore offerings lately- maybe just because I'm so stocked up on everything. But, it is allergy season, so....

1-48ct Benadryl $8.00 used $1.50 q
2 Stayfree 2/$9 used $2/2
Bandaids $3.29 used $1 q (only bought because I needed to reach $20 to get $10 ECB's back)
used ECB's of: $2, $3.49, $3.99, $4.99

OOP: ZERO (paid $1.73 on a GC)
Saved: $20.70 (incl $1.73 on GC)

Free Bandaids at Dollar General!

Bandaids are always $1 at Dollar General, so I rounded up all my $1 q's and cashed in. Also got a box of trash bags for my bathrooms for $1. (I did use 1 of my Bandaid q's at CVS- see post above).

OOP: $1.35
Saved: $4.00

Walmart

I had coupons for everything except the notebook paper- my daughter said they desperately need some to get through the rest of the year. (Everything is desperate when you are a 10 yo girl).

Capri Sunrisers $1.97 used $1 q

Wheat Thins $2 ea used $1/2

Lance Crachers $2 used $1 q

5 Cream of chicken soup $1.13 ea used $1/5

3 Stride gum $0.96 ea used $2/3

2 Olay soap $2.48 ea used (2) $2 q's

2 packs notebook paper $1.24 ea (ggrrr....didn't quite buy enough before school started at $0.15)

OOP: $14.96

Saved: $10.00

Rite Aid

This wasn't the best price I've ever paid for deoderant; I thought it was kind of high....but my daughter loves this particular kind, and this should last her a while! Ban was $3.49, and there is a $10 rebate if you buy 5. I had coupons for $1, $0.75, and $0.40. (I think the $1 was off 2). So, after q's & rebates, $1.06 + tax each. Reese's were b1/g1- $0.88 for both.

OOP: $17.43

Saved: $2.15; will get $10 back

Groceries for $800 a YEAR??

I follow a lot of blogs. While I love going through the papers and matching up sales and coupons, there are a lot of deals that I just don't notice until I see somebody else do it, and the lightbulb goes off. But here is one that is especially fun:

http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/

Erin sets an annual budget of just $800 a year for all grocery and health, beauty items. If you click on her "About my $800" tab, she explains what is included, etc. I am nowhere near that good yet- maybe if I could quit my Dr. Pepper habit, I might come close, lol! Keep in mind, she did start with a very well stocked pantry- a "stockpile", since she had already been couponing when she decided to challenge herself to the $800 budget. She also does not pay sales tax on food in her state (except convenience food). She also has a store that will let her roll her "Catalinas" into gift cards- where I live, all the catalinas exclude gift cards, so I have to use them quicker, especially Walgreen's, which has short expiration dates. Erin also grows some of her veggies & fruits, and occasionally posts about trades where she'll trade HBA items for perishables. But, all that creativity leads where we all want to go- a lower grocery bill! While I can't match Erin's $800 budget (maybe one day!), I still find her blog an inspiration to my frugal nature. Check it out!

2 Walgreen's Trips

This was done on 2 separate days at 2 different stores. The bottom picture was actually the 1st transaction.

5 Dove Deoderant (small) $0.99

1 Degree Deoderant (small) $0.99

Got back a $6 RR for Degree/Dove that I used for 2nd (top) transaction

Scrunchies $2

Got back $2 RR- not used yet

4 Mentos Gun $1 ea used (4) $1 coupons

OOP: $8.62 (got back $8 in RR)

Saved: $4.00

Second Transaction (top pic)

Coke 12 pk $4 used $1 coupon from Coke Rewards

3 bubble envelopes 3/$1 w/ WAG coupon

4 Mentos gum $1 ea used (4) $1 coupons

Scrunchies $2 (got back $2 RR)

used $6 RR

OOP: $0.45 - ALL TAX! (& got back $2 RR)

Saved: $11.00

Food Lion

Food Lion is not my usual store- a little out of the way for me, but I had to pick up my son out that way, so I looked at the ad on the internet ans saw several B1/G1 deals- and more importanly, Minute Maid OJ for $2.50- our only brand!

6 Dole Pineapple $1 ea used (2) $1/3
4 MM OJ $2.50 ea
2 Cocoa Puffs B1/G1 = $1.64 ea used (1) $0.75- did not have another~
2 Kellogs Frosted Flakes B1/G1 = $1.99 ea used $1/2
2 Breyers B1/G1 = $2.64 ea used (2) $0.75 ea
4 Doritos- B2/G2 = $1.99 ea

OOP: $35.46
Saved $5.25

Walmart

I bought some home decor stuff along with this, but my math says I paid $2.73 for all this (counting tax). The Olay were NOT $1.97 at my store like I'd been reading on other blogs. They were $2.48, but still some pretty cheap (good) soap~

2 Olay $2.48 ea used (2) $2 coupons
3 Stride gum $0.96 ea used $2/3
Rimmel mascara $6.47 used free item coupon from ALL YOU

OOP: $2.73
Saved $12.47

Walgreen's

This whole transaction is counted toward my "gifts" budget, not groceries- because my $3 RR paid for everything but the Webkinz, and even part of that:

Webkinz $6.99
2 Easter grass $0.19 (75% clearance)
4 Mentos $1 ea used (4) $1 coupons
4 Macaroni & Cheese crackers $0.50 ea
used $3 RR

OOP: $7.07
Saved $7.00

Kroger - Free Suave Deoderant

I only managed to get 3 of the $1 Suave deoderant- a lady right before me pretty much cleared the shelf; she had about 15 in her cart. Ggrrr...that's why I limit myself when there are freebies- other people want some too!

3 Suave doederant $1 ea used (3) $0.50, doubled
6 Michelinas $1 ea
6 Green Giant boxes $1 ea used (3) $0.50, doubled
(also had $0.50 taken off from a shortcuts q that I'd forgotten about)
Lg box Eggo waffles $2.47 used $0.75
Sm box Eggo (HSM) $1.54 used $0.75
3 Birds Eye $1 ea used (3) $0.35, doubled
Strawberries $2.05
4 baking sprinkles $0.25 ea (clearance)
2 Revlon nail polish $2.37 used (2) $2
Revlon foundation $6.99 used $2
3 Suave shampoo/conditioner $0.88 ea used $1.75/3
3 Softsoap $1 ea used (3) $0.35, doubled
4 Dr. K $1.77 ea

OOP: $35.33
Saved $19.95

Walgreen's - More Free MENTOS~

I had 20 of the $1 Mentos gum coupons, but I hate to clear out the shelves, so I have been only buying 4 at a time. Also, I hate paying much for shampoo & conditioner, but my son loves the Axe brand- and I will almost pay anything to encourage my 13 year old to bathe, lol!

2 Axe $5 ea used $2/2 (Got back a $3 RR)

4 Mentos $1 ea used (4) $1 coupons

OOP: $8.82

Saved $6.00

Bi-lo: 2 Transactions, "goofs" on both!!

FIRST TRIP- BOTTOM PICTURE

Kraft dressing B1/G1 $1.41 used $1.50 q

2 Lays Chips B1/G1 $1.99 ea

Frito Dip $2.89 used $2 q

**I think I made a mistake with this coupon- it beeped, and I only realized later that I was supposed to buy the FAMILY size chips- an honest mistake on my part- I never buy those got big bags and thought the ones I bought counted.**

2 Pillsbury cake mix $0.77 ea

2 Sara Lee Classic White B1/G1 $1.24 ea

(unfortunately DOES NOT count for the HSM3 rebate- has to be Soft & Smooth)

2 Duncan Hines brownies B1/G1 $0.88 ea used $0.60, doubled

3 Hefty Zip Loc B1/G1 $1.49 ea used (3) $0.55, doubled

2 Kraft Cheese $1.66 ea

Mayfield milk $4.39 used free milk coupon

Eggs $0.99

2 Green Giant frozen corn $1.00 ea used $1.00/2

Cool Whip B1/G1 $1.00

2 Breyers Ice cream $1.88 ea

Dessert shells $1.50

Pillsbury brownie mix $0.96

**I HAD a $0.35 coupon that should have doubled- realized when I got home that the cashier DID NOT ring it- ggrrr.....but I did not feel like $0.70 was worth going back for***

OOP: $37.95

Saved $13.39

SECOND TRANSACTION (NEXT DAY-TOP PIC)

Marshmallows $0.98

2 Pillsbury cookies $2.50 ea used $0.55/2, doubled

Del Monte fruit cup $1.00 Used $1 q

Salad Mix $1.49 (reduced- goes out of date Monday)

OK...her's the goof on this transaction- The cahier rang 2 eggs at $1 ea, but I only bought 1. BUT, she did not ring the Kraft dressing at $1.41- which explains why my $1.50 coupon beeped. (They pushed it through). The overall differene was $0.41, in my favor- which ALMOST makes up for the $0.70 they shorted my on the previous order, lol!) I am just not having good expereinces at this particular store.

OOP: $7.17

Saved: $3.60

CVS

I almost feel like I should not post this one....it was an "oops" on the part of the store, but I did not know until checkout. These Trident 3 packs were marked 25% clearance ...at $0.97. And I had $1 coupons. When I got to the register, they rang $2.99, and I told her there was a tag and that I did not want them at $2.99. The cashier went to get the tag- it was apparently for the same flavor- but the SINGLE packs that are normally $1.29. But since the tag was there, she modified the price and & got the overage. The Skintimate was $3.40 & produced a $3.49 RR. I paid with a $3 RR, so:

OOP: $0.52

Saved: $5.00 (not counting the modified price~)

Walgreens Rebates

Hershey's were 4/$10 with a $5 MIR that made them 4/$5. I didn't have any coupons, but I thought it was a good price for Easter basket candy! There is a Physicians Formula (Organics) rebate of $10 0n a $10 purchase. My store only had the bronzers w/lipgloss. It was $13.99, I had a $1 coupon and will get a $10 rebate. I also used up my register rewards on this transaction- I had $3.50, $2.50 & $1.00. Some cashiers are only taking 1 RR per order- the proper policy is that you must have more items in your order than coupons, since they ARE manufacturer coupons themselves. Also, you usually can't use them to buy more of what you earned them on- Colgate RR to buy more Colgate, for instance. Here's my totals:

OOP: $17.27 (will get $16.50 on my GC, counting the 10% bonus)

Saved: $8.00

Kroger- No Picture~

I forgot to take a picture of this purchase, but it was mostly for Easter Candy. I also bought 2 $15 McDonald's gift cards for kid's Easter baskets, but those count toward my gifts budget, not groceries- but I like to buy them at Kroger because they count double toward my gas discount.

Sara Lee Bread $2.00
6 Dole Pineapple used $1/6
NY Texas Toast $2.39 used $0.50, doubled
Capri Sun Sunrisers $1.79 used $0.55
Super Pretzels $2.39 used $0.75
I Can't Believe It's not Butter $1.48 used $1
Tyson Bag Chicken Patties $5.99 used $1
Wonka Candy $3.50
2 Skilles fun packs $1.50 ea
Kroger Cheeseburgers $5.49
Sister Schubert rolls $2.50 used $0.50, doubled
2 Starburst Jelly Beans $1.88 ea, used $1/2
2 Altoid B1/G1 $0.94 ea
2 sets shoelaces $0.50 ea (clearance)

OOP: $37.16 (not counting GC's)
Saved: $7.30

Bi-Lo

I decided to go get a couple of more bags of sugar at $0.99 for VBS, and picked up a few B1/G1 items, and went through my $0.55 & $0.60 coupons, that Kroger won't double:

2 Sugar $0.99 ea (unfortunately, I had no more coupons!)

4 Little Debbies $0.98 ea

Tostitos B1/G1 $1.99 used $0.55 peelie, doubled = $0.89!!

Salsa B1/G1 $1.49

Rice Krispies B1/G1 $2.19

Apple Jacks B1/G1 $2.13

I bought the wrong Corn Pops (they rang $3.44). I took them back and traded for a larger box of Cocoa Krispies at $2.13- got back $1.35 AND the box was bigger!

2 Nilla Wafers B1/G1 $1.95 ea

Texas Toast Croutons $1.25 used $0.55 doubled = $$0.15!!

2 Airheads sour $0.79 used (2) $0.55 doubled up to sale price= $0!!

2 Mayfield Ice cream B1/G1 $2.79 ea

Grapes 1.66 lbs @ $0.99 = $1.64

Sweet Potatoes 3.66 lb @ $0.39 = $1.43

OOP: $28.30 (after cereal refund)- got a free milk coupon

Saved: $3.78

Dollar General $5/$20 (Grand Opening)

We had a new Dollar General open nearby, and that particular store had a $5 off $20 coupon. My son wanted some playing cards and poker chips that were $2.50 each, so I spent $15 and we split the coupon proportionately.

Tide $10.00 (they had a smaller size for $5 as a Grand Opening sale, but they did not have it in HE)

Garbage bags $5

OOP: $12.04

Saved: $3.75 (the other $1.25 came off my son's purchase)

CVS Huggies Diaper Deal

CVS has the same deal on diapers that Walgreen's had a couploe of weeks ago. Spend $25 and get $10 back in ECB's. Diapers are $10/ea; the wipes were $5 for the lg refill.

Also bought the Skintimate for $3.49. got back $3.49 ECB

Used (2) $3 coupons on the diapers & a $0.75 on wipes.

Used ECB's of $5, $4.99, $2.99, $0.50

Paid $9.23 on a GC

OOP: $$0.43

Saved $29.46 (I count both q's & GC as savings since they reduce my OOP)

Kroger

The only freebie I got this trip was an Airwick refill that I had a Catalina for, but the cereal is a good deal when you factor in the free milk:

Kroger Ice Cream Bars $2.50
Kro Cheeseburgers $5.49 (these are expensive, I think- but they make a great quick lunch & my kids LOVE them)
Milk $2.58 free w/3 General Mills cereals
Kro pie shells $1.79 used $0.45 q (did NOT double)
2 Kro cheeses $1.25 ea
3 Pillsbury Crescent rolls $1.69 used (3) $0.35 q's, doubled
Airwick refill $3.49 used free item coupon
Kool Aid Jammers $1.79
Kro value buns $0.88
3 GM cereals $2.49 used (2) $0.75 q's & (1) $0.55
Duck Adhesive remover $0.90 on clearance
Kro pickles $1.99 (the only kind we like- most are too thick)
4 Dole Pineapple $1.00 ec

OOP: $33.62
Saved $10.67

Walgreens

5 Dr. Pepper 12 packs $3,25 ea used B4/B1 free ($3.25)

Colgate Total $3.49 used $0.75 (got $3.50 RR)

3 Fructis Shampoos, Conditioners 3/$10 used (3) $1 q's

2 Nutrisse Hair colors $5 ea used (2) $2 q's

(will get $10 Rebate on Garnier)

2 Reach floss 2/$5 used $1.50/2 (got $2.50 RR)

6 Mead envelopes $1.19 ea used WAG q for $0.69 ea ($3)

2 Betty Crocker Frostings $1.50 ea used $0.55 & $0.50 (got $1 RR)

5 Royal Gelatin - these rang up weird, but I used a WAG q to get them 5/$1

Glade Lasting Impressions $5.99 used $4 q (will get $2 rebate)

Oust Surface & Air $2.99 used $2 q (will get $1 rebate)

Paid $27.47 with a Gift Card from previous months

OOP: $16.36

AND got $7 in RR's and $14.30 in rebates, which includes the 10% bonus for putting it back on my gift card.

Bi-Lo: Cheap Sugar & MORE Free Mentos

Bi-lo had Dixie Crystals sugar on a 2 day sale for $0.99 & I had a $0.30 coupon. It was a "do not double" one, but still, $0.69 for sugar is not bad! I also used my last 2 $0.55 Mentos coupons (doubled) for 2 more free gums.

OOP: $0.75 (with tax)

Saved: $2.28

Walgreen's (Only paid tax!!)

Used the free Softsoap coupon from earlier in the week, and (4) $1.00 coupons on the Mentos gum (priced 2/2.00). Subtotal was $0.00, but paid tax on the q's.

OOP: $0.40

Saved $7.99

Bi-Lo - FREE MENTOS GUM

My husband called me while I was out today asking where the Worstershire sauce was...well, I had tossed it out because we'd had the same bottle for probably 15 years! I know there were coupons out a while back for a free bottle, but I gave them away~ It was only $1.58, though. And I got 2 Mentos at $0.99 each, used (2) $0.55 coupons that doubled (up to the sale price) just so I could feel like I'd save some money.

OOP: $1.67

Saved $1.98

Walmart

Walmart is not my favorite place to shop; I usually do better at Kroger. BUT, when I am out of several things that I don't have coupons for, I will go to Walmart since they have the lowest "every day" prices. I won't list everything, but here are the things I used coupons for:

Fast Fixin's Chicken Patties $3.98 used $0.75q

Snapps Mozarella Sticks $1.00 used $0.50q

NYC Eyeliner $1.86 used $1q

3 Green Giant corn $1.28 ea used $1/3

2 Pillsbury cookie dough $2.38 ea used $1/2

2 Lloyd's BBQ $3.98 ea used $1/2

2 Enchilada Sauce $1.14 ea used free seasoning w/purchase of 2

Taco Shells $1.50 & Tortillas $1.68 used free seasong ($0.74) w/purchse of 2

Wheat Thins $2.00 ea used $1/2

2 Mahatma spanish rice $0.64 ea used $0.75/2

Hormel Compleats Alfredo $1.98 used $0.75

3 Suave $0.98 ea used $1.75/3

2 Kotex liners $1.00 used (2) $0.75q's

Resolve carpet cleaner $7.17 used $1q ****sent for $7.17 rebate*****

OOP: $80.58

Saved $13.48 & a $7.17 rebate on the way