Thursday, February 25, 2010

How Thrifty Are You?

Shelly, over at www.mycouponteacher.com has posted her "Thrifty Thursday" article. She asks 10 questions to see how thrifty we are. I thought this would be fun to answer- please remember, this is NOT meant to start arguments; we all have different thrifty ways- and they are all OK! Here are mine:

1. Do you use coupons to save over 50% or more on your groceries?

Yes (well, combined with sales!) I am using a spreadsheet designed by Angela at www.thecouponproject.com to track my savings; I am currently at about 67% for the year.


2. Do you reuse paper products like foil, plastic baggies, or plastic utensils?

No. To me, that would defeat the purpose of these things, which is convenience. That said, I also don't use paper products very often (other than napkins). I also use dishrags and towels rather than paper towels most of the time.


3. Do you buy things like clothes, home goods, or entertainment items for full price?

No. I look for good deals there, too. Sales, coupons, etc.

4. Do you eat out more than once a week?

It depends. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I happen to realy enjoy eating out - and I hate to cook. So, I feel like we eat out a lot, but we cut our budget in other places to allow for more eating out. It's all about what's important to you and budgeting based on your own lifestyle choices.

5. Do you feel an obligation to take free samples or toiletries in hotels?

An obligation? No. But when we stay, we sometimes use them, and then I'll take then. But I also don't shove them all in my bags each night so that they'll get replenished and take those too.....


6. Do you send in more than one mail in rebate a month?

I focus more on sales and coupons, but I do rebates when I hear about a good one, like Olay's $15 rebate going on now. (Go to www.olay.com for details). I also do Rite Aid when it's good enough to entice me, but not every month.

7. Do you feel an obligation or need to stop at every yard sale you pass?

I am not a morning person, so we don't even go when we are in town. But my in-laws go every single week-end, so when we visit, we go too. It's actually a fun way to visit, and they are in an area where there are lots of sales, so in the spring and summer we usually find lots of goodies. I love books, and have collected over 1600 of them, mostlt at $0.25-$0.50 each at yard sales.

8. Do you recycle items on Freecycle or for money?

We have an annual yard sale to clean out the house, and what doesn't sell is donated locally to the salvation army or a similar organization. I used to Ebay some things, but the items I had- books, puzzles, etc. were such inexpensive items that it's really not worth the time anymore.

9. Have you lowered all your bills to the smallest amount you can pay for acceptable services?

Oh, yeah. My husband got into energy savings a little over a year ago- in a very big way, lol. In the past year and a half or so, we have replaced washer, dryer, dishwasher, hot water heater and refrigerator with energy star appliances. He's looking for a newer (but still used) stand alone freezer now. We have also replaces almost all of our bulbs with CFL's. I know this sounds like a lot, but all of our appliances were getting "aged" anyway. (And we'd budgeted to replace them). Some, we sold and got a lottle back out of. The washer is a front loader, and has saved us on the water bill. All told, out energy and water bills are about half what they used to be.


10. Have you figured out the best way to save money is to spend less and stretch all you have as far as you can?

Hhmmm....not sure exactly what this question is asking, but probably no. I am horrible about using leftovers, so I still have waste there. In fact, I cleaned all the science experiments out of the fridge yesterday. One was so bad, the tupperware may have to get tossed as well, lol! And I - gasp! - occasionally throw away lotion, etc. with a bit still left. I hate clutter, and I have such a stockpile of non-food items (bought very inexpensivelly) that I may sometimes be more wasteful than I should be.

Thank, Shelly! This was fun to take part in- can't wait to read others answer!

Kroger- FREE Reach, Rightguard & Milk


I paid $2.17 for all this!!! (And $1.41 was tax- AND I realized when I got home that I could have done $0.65 better; oh well!)
4 Cereals $2.50 ea used $1.50/2 (also had a $0.40 MC rewards q that I forgot about- and if I'd printed another $1.50/2, even better- not sure why I didn't.....out of ink, maybe?)
2 FREE Chocolate Milks w/ purchase of 4 Kelloggs (sure glad the chocolate counted!)
2 Kro Ice Cream bars $1.88 ea (had a $0.25 MC rewards that I forgot about)
3 Scotch Mailing Tape 3/$5 used (3) $0.50, doubled= $0.67 ea ($0.66 for 3rd)
2 Green Giant veggies $1 ea used $0.50/2, doubled & $0.50 ecoupon = $0.25 ea
(I had more $0.50/2 q's, but they only had one more corn in butter sauce- our favorite)
4 Reach floss $1 ea used (4) $1/1 coupons = FREE!
4 Reach toothbrushes used (4) $1/1 coupons = FREE!
2 Rightguard $1 ea used $2/2 = FREE!
Also used (2) $5 mastercard rewards certificates
Also used $4 catalina from the Purex deal last week
OOP: $2.17 ($1.41 was tax!)
Saved: $20 in mq's + $10 in MC Rewards + 2 free milks not counted in q's = $34.56
I love trips like these, even if I could have shaved a few more cents off. Somehow, the weeks I spend $60, it just doesn't feel like I'm saving much, even if I used $60 in coupons......but when I walk away with bags and only spend a little cash OOP, it feels good.

K-Mart


Planters (including cashews) are on sale this week at K-mart for $2.50 - a good time to use those $1/2 coupons. I also missed out on the $1 wonka gummies at Kroger a few weeks ago, but the $1 coupon made then $0.25 at K-mart, so an affordable treat for my daughter. We were out of lunch crackers, so I figured $1 for the 4 packs would do until a good deal on the Lance crackers I usually buy. I also used $3.74 in shop your way rewards....if you don't know about the program, go here: https://www.shopyourwayrewards.com/cp/login.aspx?RGD=3B6032C1-CAD6-4CB7-BFF0-49B3D7B34CE1 and check it out!

OOP: $2.76
Saved: $5.74 ($2 q's & $3.74 rewards)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Rite Aid

I was hoping to get some 6 bar packs of Olay, but my store was out. I only had 2 q's for the body was or soap, but even so, I think I'd have gotten 3 packs of soap if they had it. Oh, well...after coupons & reabte, the Olay was tax only. $6 ea, used 3- $1 q's, sent off for $15 rebate at www.olay.com

11 packs of Trident Layers $0.99 ea used 11 $0.75 q's = $0.24 each
(And NO, I did not wipe the shelf clean. There were lots of the other flavor left, and several of this flavor). I specifically asked the cashier if it was OK to buy this many, in case they had a coupn limit or something.

CVS

Glade Fragrance collection $6 used $3 q (most of these q's are for $3/2, but I had a $3/1)
2 Sense 'n Spray refills $3 ea used $2/2

(earned $4 ECB's....the sense 'n spray machine has a $3 q, and makes it a better deal BUT, my store was out, and for an extar dollar I'd just as soon have the refills to cut down on the clutter of all those extra plastic units around)

2 Cover Girl $6 ea used B1/G1

(OK...the cashier yried to let me use the $1 coupon in conjunction, but then the B1/G1 would not let her put in $6, only $5...so essentailly I did not get to use the $1 q) Still....after earning $5 ECB's, it was only $1 for both items!

Neutragena cleanser $6.99 used $2 q from "All You"
Neutragena hand cream $4.49 used $1 q
(earned $5 ECB, making the cost $3.48 for both items)

Crest $3.50 used $0.75 q (earned $3.30 ECB)

Also used $1 CVS q on hand cream
used $11 in ECB's

OOP: $0 (used $14.96 on a GC from "My Points")
Saved: $26.75 in q's & $14.96 from GC
"Net Cost" is $8.46, since I "made" $6.50 in ECB's

Couple of missed pics.....

It's been a busy week and I forgot a few pics:

Feb 15 - Dollar General
OOP: $13.41 (no coupons!)
Dog Bones, Treats, etc.

Feb 16 - Walmart
2 MM OJ $2.58 ea
2 GV Poptarts $1.25 ea
GV Gallon sz storage bags $1.64
OOP: $9.65 (no coupons!)

Feb 16 - Kroger (+) (mini-mega event prices AFTER $.30 discount)
2 Ground Chuck $2.09
4 Hot Pockets (+) $1.69 ea used $0.75/4
Bagel Bites $3.99 used $1 q
Super Pretzel $2.29 used $0.50, doubled
Milk $2.28
Choc Milk $2.28
MM OJ $2.85
2 Cheetos (+) $1.69 used $1/2
2 Totinos Pizza Rolls (+) $2.69 ea used $1.25/2
2 Strawberries $2.28 ea
Kro value bread $0.39 (I usually pay extra for Sara Lee, but could not resist the allure of $0.39 bread!)
2 Purex (+) $2.19 ea used $1/1 & $0.35/1, doubed AND earned $4 Catalina = MONEY MAKER!
Pencils $1.59 used free item coupon
Nature Made fish oil $4.74 used $2 q
8 Chef Boy Ardee (+) $0.70 used $1/5 & $0.35/3, doubled
2 Ragu (+) $1.49 ea used $1/2 (if I remember right...)
also used $4 catalina from pillsbury
also used $3/$15 frozen

OOP: $39.46
Saved: $25.74, including $6 in mega even savings

Rite Aid 2/11


Diapers are for gifts....we're past that at my house!
2 Pampers $8.99 ea used (2) $1.50 q's (earned $2 rebate)
Pampers wipes $2.49 ea used (2) $0.50 q's
Nyquil $3.99 used $1.50 q (qualified me for $5 Visa) (earned $1 rebate)
6 Nivea $2.99 ea used (3) $2 q's, (1) $1 q & (1) $3/2 q (earned $5 RA GC)
2 Gum Flossers $2.50 ea used (2) $0.55 q's (earned $2 rebate)
Also used $5/20 video values coupon
OOP: $31.43; earned $4 rebates & $10 in GC's
Saved: $21.60
Since I bought the Pampers for gifts, I counted $20.57 of this purchase toward my gifst budget rather than groceries. (Cost + tax - coupons).

Monday, February 8, 2010

Kroger "Mini Mega Event"


This week, Kroger has several items that are "Buy 10, get $3", or $0.30 off per item. I nicknamed this the "mini mega event" to differentiate it from the "Buy 10, get $5". Still some good deals to be had.....(prices are AFTER $0.30 disscount- I got exactly 20 of those items)
Boneless Pork Loin $10.51 ($1.99/lb, this will make 2 of my BBQ Pork recipes, or 4 meals)
2 Kro Ground Chuck $1.04 (Just noticed the sale price! I thought I was paying $2.09....I guess I'll be buying more for the freezer!)
2 MM OJ $2.85ea
Kro Hamburger Patties $4.99
Kro Chocolate Milk $2.28
6 Pillsbury Cookies $2.19 ea used (3) $1/2 & got $4 Catalina = $1.02 ea
6 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $1.69 ea used (3) $0.50/2, doubled & (2) $0.50 cellfire & $0.50 shortcuts - I forgot I had those loaded~ Final price= $0.94 ea
2 Ragu $1.49 ea used (2) $0.30, doubled = $0.89 ea
3 Manwich $1 ea used $0.50 shortcuts q
5 Chef Boy Ardee $0.70 ea used $1/2 & $0.35/3, doubled = $0.36 ea
Reynols Wrap $2.69 used $0.75 ea = $1.94
Used $5/45 , $4 Catalina & $1 Catalina
OOP: $41.21
Saved: $27.65
The $5/$45 coupon I used was AFTER discounts & coupon.....I just realized my total was actually $44.36, since I paid $1.85 tax. I even through in the 3 Manwich last minute to reach the $45, but my math was off because I forgot about the shortcuts coupons that came off. The coupon scanned with no problem, though. (I also bought an I-tunes card for $15, but GC's were excluded on the coupon). Maybe that extra allowed it to scan, or maybe the computer rounded up. The ground chuck also rang up half price; wasn't expecting that.

Walgreens, 2nd Trip


1st transaction
Dove Body Wash $5.99 used $1.50 q; got $6 RR
2 Big Red B1/G1 - $1.29/2
used $3 RR & $2 RR
OOP: $1.24
Saved: $6.50
"Net Cost" was $0.24, since I spent $5 RR & Got $6

2nd Transaction
3 Nivea $5.99 used $2/1 & $5/2; got $5 RR = $5.97/3 = $1.99 ea
5 Twizzlers $2 ea got $5 RR
used $6 RR & $6 RR
OOP: $10.53
Saved: $19.00
"Net Cost" was $12.53, since I spent $12 RR & got $10

Bi-Lo


2 Old El Paso Heat 'n Serve $1.25 ea used (2) $0.50, doubled = $0.25 ea
6 McCormick Chili $0.64 ea used (3) $0.25/2...these SHOULD have doubled, but they took off an extra $0.03, NOT $0.25- made them $0.50 ea
3 Texas Toast Croutons $1.25 ea used (3) $0.50, doubled = $0.25 ea
Sara Lee Bread $1.49
Hamburger Buns $1.25
2 Clorox $1.66 ea used $0.50/2, doubled = $1.16 ea
4 Sunlight $0.74 ea used (4) $0.25, doubled = $0.24 ea
Milk $2.29
OOP: $12.27
Saved: $9.84

Walgreens


2 Newspapers $1 ea
2 Kotex $3 ea used $2/2; got $3 RR
Dove Men's Body Wash $5.99 used $1.25 q; got $6 RR
Eggs $0.99
used $8 RR & $2 RR
OOP: $2.60
Saved: $13.25
"Net Cost" was $3.60, since I used $10 RR & got back $9 RR

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Walgreens

Blink $7.99 used $2 q (& Earned $8 RR)
Rice Krispie Treats $2.50ea (earned $2 RR)
Corn Starch $0.49 (son's request- it's a mystery)
used $10 RR from Nyquil deal

OOP: $2.21
Saved: $12.00

"Net Cost" on this deal was $2.21....since I spent $10 RR and eraned back $10 more, it was a flush~

Bi-Lo: All this for UNDER $20!


5 Old ElPaso Heat 'n Serve $1.25 ea used (5) $0.50, doubled = $0.25 ea
ALSO earned a $1 Catalina, which makes all 5 $0.25 TOTAL
4 McCormick Chili Seasonings $0.64 ea used (2) $0.25/2, doubled = $0.39 ea
2 Texas Toast Crouton $1.25 ea used (2) $0.55, doubled = $0.15 ea
Reynolds Wrap $2.99 used $0.75 q= $2.24
2 Hefty Plates $1.31 ea used (2) $0.50, doubled = $0.31 ea
2 Hefty Storage bags $1.42 ea used $1/2= $0.92 ea
4 Auto Shower Cleaner refills (CLOSE OUT) $2.06 ea used (2) $1.5/2= $1.31 ea
2 Dixie Napkins $2 ea used (2) $0.55, doubled = $0.90 ea
2 Clorox $1.66 ea used $0.50/2, doubled = $1.16 ea

OOP: $19.96 ($1.79 was TAX) & earned $1 Catalina
Saved : $17.15

Kroger Mega Sale


Whew! Here goes: (Prices are AFTER Mega savings of $0.50 per item, where applicable, since I got exactly 30- not eveything was mega sale).
4 Orville Popcorn $2.49 used (2) $1/2= $1.99 ea
2 Big K 12 pks $1.99 ea
4 Pedigree Dog food $0.49 ea
3 Newmans Marinara $2.39 used $0.50, doubled= $1.39 ea
2 Wheat Thins $1.69 used (2) $1 q's
4 Bic Sensitive $1.19 ea used (2) B1/G1 q's = $0.595 ea
4 Kraft Cheese $0.99 used (2) $1/2 = $0.49 ea
4 M& M's $2 ea used (2) $1/2 = $1.5 ea
Cow Pals Cheese $4.39 used $0.70 store q = $3.69
(not on sale- special request of my daughter's)
New York Dippin Sticks $1.99 used $0.50, doubled = $0.99
2 Tostitos $2.38
5 Solo Cups $1.49 used (5) $1 q's = $0.49 ea
6 Pillsbury Cookies $2.50 ea used (3) $1/2 = $2 ea
(ALSO earned a $4 Catalina)
4 Beggin Strips $2.49 ea used $1 Cellfire & 2 B1/G1 free q's that took off $2.99 ea = $0.745 ea (better then the K-mart deal!)
2 Suave Deoderants $1 ea used (2) $0.75 q's = $0.25ea
Suave Body Was $1.69 used $0.50, doubled = $0.69
4 Old El Paso Taco Seasoning $1.09 ea used (2) Cellfire q's $0.50 ea & $1/4 = $0.59 ea, PLUS earned a $1 Catalina
2 Disney Vitamins $3.49 used (2) $1 q's = $2.49
Flax Seed Oil $4.99 used $1 q = $3.99
3 Rubbermaid Conatiners $1.73 used (3) $1 q's = $0.73 ea
Also used a $2 Catalina from previos order (Kraft?) and a $0.26 Kro MC rewards on crackers.
OOP: $73.79 ($4.67 was TAX!) & earned $5 in Catalinas
SAVED: $57.80, including $15 in Mega Event Savings
I about had a heart attack as I was checking out and my total was $131.59- then the $15 mega savings came of, then the coupons......I still don't normally spend this much at a time (my average total is about $16 so far this year- including this order) but I felt like I did pretty well, even if I did splurge on the cookies (we were OUT) and snack cheese. My receipt says I saved 62%; of course, that includes sale prices.

CVS Coke/Dr Pepper Deal


I used my husband's card to get another set of drinks (different store). I found a $2/4 Coke products, so this time I got 4 Cokes (trying the Coke Zero for one of them) and 3 Dr Pepper. This store was out of the Dove for Men, so I got J&J Body wash for $4.99, used a $1 q and got $1 ECB. I also had a $5/$30 (which is why I could just do the Cokes- they totaled to $25.62). Also used a $2 ECB.

OOP: $21.60
Saved: $10.00

"Net Cost" was $12.60, since I "made" $9 ECB's. (Spent $2, earned $11).

Walgreen's; Can't have too much Nyquil!

If you can get a hold of 4 of the $2 Nyquil coupons, this works out to $0.50 per bottle after RR. I was only able to get 3, but if I'd had 4, I would have had to buy a "filler". I bought the Blink first, using a $1.50 printable (there is a $2 paper coupon that's better). Paid $7.05 with tax, got an $8 RR reward that I used on the rest. I also had a $1/2 Rice Kripie Treats. OOP on th e2nd order was $11.55, and I got $12 RR's back.

Total OOP: $18.60
Saved: $16.50

"Net Cost" was $6.60, since I started with NO RR's and left with $12. My "cost" on the Nyquil was $1/bottle, since I only had 3 of the $2 coupons.

K-Mart


Just felt like getting some treats for my pup-

Beggin Strips $2.50 ea
Busy Bone $3.00
used $4/4 coupon
Canadian Cuts $2.50 used $1.50/1

OOP: $8.41
Saved: $5.50

CVS Coke Deal


5 Dr Pepper $3.66 & $3.67 (included in Coke deal in SOME areas)
2 Cokes $3.66 & $3.66
Dove for Men $5.49
(there are coupons out for this, but I get my papers a week late, so I did not have mine- but it was still free after ECB)
Used $10 ECB; Earned $15.49 ECB's
Used $5 Gift Card from a survey reward
OOP: $17.32
SAVED: $15.00
"Net Cost" was $11.83, sinnce I "made" $5.49 in ECB's.

Bi-Lo Feb 2nd (Last Week)

I went away frustrated from this sale.....I wanted to buy 6-8 of the Minute Maid OJ at $2 (we were on our last) but this was the last one on the shelf that was not already out of date. I'm not sure why I looked, except that since I wanted to buy so many, I wanted to get the furthest dates out. I couldn't believe that with such a small display, they STILL had out of date cartons on their shelf! Anyway, at least the Country Crock was cheap/free:

MM OJ $2
3 Country Crock $0.99 ea used (1) $0.50, doubled = FREE and (2) $0.40, doubled = $0.19 ea
Doritos $1.99 ea
Saltines $2

OOP: $8.64
Saved: $2.60

I should have taken the ad to Walmart and let them price match the OJ, but I forgot that it was the last day of the sale.

Bi-Lo Jan 26th (Last Week)


Last week's sale.....
9 Hamburger/Chicken Helpers $1 ea used (3) $0.75/3 = $0.75 ea
2 Aunt Jemima Syrup $2.50 ea used $1/2 = $2 ea
8 Mighty Dog $0.55 ea used (4) B1/G1 = $0.275 ea
(NOT PICTURED) 4 Green Giant Corn $1 ea used (2) $50/2, doubled = $0.50 ea
4 Little Debbies $1 ea
Hefty Garbage bags $6.79 used $0.55, doubled =$5.69
OOP: $26.01
SAVED: 8.55