Weekly Grocery Shopping (12/2 - 12/8)

This was a decent week. I ended up being almost $8 over my $45/week goal, but I stocked up on a lot of meat and toilet paper, which are always good things to have stockpiled! I was also out of a few important things since I had a semi-no shopping week last week. Fortunately, a lot of my "needs" ended up being on sale, so there were only a couple of things I ened up paying more than I like to for (like hot dog buns, a staple in Ninja Hubz diet).

Ralphs

Charmin TP 5.99 - 1.00 MFC - 1.00 P&G eSaver = 3.99
2x Ritz @ 1.99 - 2x $1/1 MFC = 1.98*
2x Nestle cookie dough @ 2.00 - 2x 1.50 MFC = 1.00
Hamburger buns = 1.25
Yogurt = 2.00
Gum toothbrush @ 1.00 - $1/1 MFC = FREE

Total = 10.88

Henry's
Perfect timing! I just finished off the last of my oats making granola bars, then lo and behold they were listed in the sale ad the next day! Hooray :)

Lettuce = 1.69
Cucumber = .79
3.5 lbs bulk rolled oats = 2.09 (on sale for .59/lb!!)
1 lb carrots = .50
Reusable bag credit = -.05

Total: 5.02

Walgreens
What can I say, I'm a sucker for cheap toilet paper!

Quilted Northern TP @4.29 - 1.00 MFC = 3.29 (Gave $1 RR)
Goody Ouchless hair bands = 2.00 (Gave $2 RR)

Total = 5.84
Received $3 in RR

Fresh and Easy

~6 lbs ground beef = 9.23 ($1.49/lb)

Total  9.23

Vons
I was trying to be nice and asked Ninja Hubz if there was anything special he wanted at the store (sometimes I forget to do that), and he said 'chips or something'. Miraculously, his favorite Doritos were on sale! I guess he was good this week because had good grocery karma :) Also, I think I'm up to around 10 bags of chocolate chips now... I plan on making some goodies for Christmas gifts, but I probably have enough and should stop buying them now :)

Padrinos Chips @ 2.50 - 1.00 MFC = 1.50
2x Nestle chocolate chips - 2x $1/1 MFC = 2.00
Doritos = 1.69
Nabisco Saltines 2.00 - $1/1 MFC = 1.00*
Flour tortillas = 2.39
4x Hefty freezer bags @ 4/$5 - 2x $1/2 MFC = 3.00
3x Cream Cheese @ .99 (wyb 5 Kraft) - $1/3 MFC = 1.97
2x Kraft Shreds @ 1.49 (wyb 5 Kraft) - $1/2 MFC = 1.98
18 eggs = 1.49 (store coupon)
Hot dog buns = 1.59
Bread = .99
3.74 lbs chicken breast = 6.62 (1.77/lb)

Total: 26.71

Weekly Total: 52.66

*These also can go towards this $10 Kraft rebate

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge

Weekly Grocery Shopping (11/25 - 12/1)

So "officially", I took the week off from shopping. Unofficially of course, I had almost $13 left in my grocery budget for the month and $3 in RR set to expire today, so I did a little shopping anyway :) The day before Thanksgiving I realized the milk in the fridge had gone bad, and while I had some in the freezer, there was no way it would thaw in time to be used for cooking Thanksgiving dinner. So I sent Ninja Hubz out to grab a small thing of milk. Fortunately it was on sale and only cost $1. I knew we'd spend a couple bucks on fresh produce for the week (trip to Henry's), so that was another $5. I had a couple RR about to expire so I had to go to Walgreens, and managed to grab several stockpile worthy items and stay pretty much within my budget.

I've been doing the $45 per week grocery budget for a couple months now, and I'm quite sure we can eat well and live comfortably on that amount. The main issue I've been running into is just exercising self control when it comes to good deals. I just need to remember that the deals always come around again! Its just a matter of prioritizing immediate needs (like what we're going to eat this week) and padding the stockpile. Just because its a good deal doesn't mean I need to buy 10!

Anyway, here's the breakdown of what I did buy this week:

Vons
(no picture)

1 pint milk = 1.00

Total = 1.00


Henry's

1.57 lbs oranges = 1.21
2.16 lbs bananas = 1.49
Romaine lettuce = 1.99
1 lb carrots = .50

Total = 5.19

Walgreens

2x Dawn dish soap @ .99 - 2x .25 MFC = 1.48
2x Folgers Coffee @ 2.50 - 2x 1.00 MFC = 3.00
Angel Soft TP = 4.00
Bigelow green tea = 1.79 (on clearance)
$3 RR from previous trip = -3.00

Total = 7.79

Weekly Total = 13.98

Total for the month = 201.77

My goal was $200 for the month, and even I'm not anal enough to obsess over 1.77. So as far as I'm concerned, I had a great month!

Check out everyone else's shopping trips at:
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Southern Savers
Money Saving Mom

Weekly Grocery shopping (11/18 - 11/24)

Well this was a pretty light week as far as shopping goes. The only thing I really "needed" was some fresh produce and a couple of small things for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving's a lot easier on the budget if you can spread the shopping out over a few weeks and cherry pick the best deals from each store!

Pretty much everything else I bought was to pad the stockpile - I don't think I'll ever have enough coffee and cheese :)

Henry's

Lettuce = 1.69
Apples = .49
Radishes = .50
Cucumber = .50
Bulk ground ginger = .23
Bulk ground cumin = .18
Bulk ground sage = .46
Reusable bag credit = -.05

Total = 4.00

Ralph's

2x Stove Top stuffing = 1.76
Brown N Serve Rolls = 1.25 (A Thanksgiving must-have!)
Lawry's Taco Seasoning .69 - .50 MFC (doubled to a full 1.00!) = Free w/.31 overage
Idahoan Instant Mashed Potatoes 1.00 - .40 MFC (tripled to a 1.00) = FREE
Rotel Tomatoes 1.00 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = FREE
Reddi Whip 2.00 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.00
Baby Carrots 1.00 - .45 store coupon = .55
2x celery .69 = 1.38
2x Fresh Gourmet croutons 1.00 - $1/2 MFC = 1.00
2x Farmer John sausage 1.00 - .75/2 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.00
2x white bread = 1.98 (For turkey stuffing!)

Total = 9.40

Save-A-Lot
I've nevery actually gone into this store before, but I saw it mentioned on another blog and decided to check out their sales ad online just for the heck of it. I'm glad I did because they had Coke 2-liters on sale for $1! I browsed through the store while I was there, and wasn't overly impressed. They sell mostly store brand, and while the regular prices are a lot less than the regular prices of the larger stores around here, I still get better deals using coupons and shopping loss leaders. Still, I think it will be worthwhile to check out their ad each week. If they have good loss leaders, the store is right on my "ralph's-henry's-home" route, so it might be worth the extra stop now and then.

6x Coke 2-liter = 6.00
2x Jiffy corn muffin mix = .50
2x canned pineapple = 1.98

Total = 9.01

Albertsons

Red Start Yeast 1.29 - .35 MFC = .94
2x Yuban coffee 4.99 - 2x $1/1 MFC = 7.98
4x Kraft cheese 1.77 - $1/2 MFC = 6.08
2x Red Bell Peppers .79 = 1.58

Total = 16.58

Weekly Total = 38.99

So far my monthly total is 187.79. I'd like to keep it under $200 or so for the month, and I don't think that will be any problem. I intend to take a weekend off from shopping after Thanksgiving. I might need to run out for some fresh produce but that should only be a few bucks.

Check out everyone elses' shopping trips at:
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Southern Savers
Money Saving Mom

Weekly Grocery Shopping (11/11 - 11/17)

I started out this week thinking I wasn't going to buy very much, but ended up proving myself wrong. That's ok though - I was able to stock up on a few items I've been needing and for some reason have a hard time maintaining a good supply of (coffee, freezer bags, croutons, and saltines). Despite buying a couple of the wrong items and consequently not getting the deals I was hoping for, I still squeaked in just under my $45 weekly budget.

Henry's

Lettuce = 1.69
2 lbs carrots = .99
Apples = 1.60
Reusable bag credit = -.10

Total: 4.18

Walgreens
I ordered some extra Folgers coupons last week and they showed up just in time to make an extra trip to Wags and stock up before the sale ended. Yay coffee! In trip #2, I got the olives and cranberry sauce to bring to my parents for Christmas dinner. I don't like either of those foods very much, but they are staples at our family holidays so I went ahead and grabbed them.

Trip #1
4x Folgers Coffee 2.50 ea - 4x $1/1 MFC = 6.00

Trip #2
2x Olives .99 ea - $1/2 MFC = .98
Cranberry Sauce = .79
2x Stove Top = 1.98
Ricola = 1.00 (gave $1 RR)
Aussie Conditioner 2.99 - $1 MFC = 1.99 (gave $2 RR)
Razors 7.29 - $2 MFC = 5.29 (I bought the wrong ones :p )

Total (both trips) = 19.02 ($3 RR for next trip)

Vons

Tortilla chips 2.50 - $1 MFC = 1.50
2x Quaker granola bars .99 ea (store coupon) - $1/2 MFC = .98
Yakisoba noodles 1.00 ea - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = FREE
2x Nabisco Saltine crackers 1.29 ea (store coupon) - $1/2 MFC = 1.58
Guittard chocolate chips = 2.50 (I bought the wrong brand, thought it was the Ghiradelli :p)
Ghiradelli chocolate chips = 1.89 (store coupon)
4x Hefty OneZip Freezer Bags @ 4/$5 - 2x $1/2 MFC = 3.00
Land O Lakes butter 1.99 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .99
4x C&W frozen veggies @ 4/$5 - $1/3 MFC = 4.00
Sara Lee bread 1.99 - .55 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .99
Apples = 1.15
Fresh Express salad 1.99 - $1/1 store coupon = .99
2x Fresh Gourmet Croutons 1.00 - $1/2 MFC = 1.00

Total: 21.52

Weekly Total: 44.72

 Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Southern Savers
Money Saving Mom

Weekly Grocery Shopping (11/4 - 11/10)

Once again Vons is having a deal where if you spend $25 you can get a turkey (16 lbs or less) for 5.00 (7.00 for a turkey over 16 lbs). Last year, I found so many good turkey deals around Thanksgiving, I ended up buying 6. Yes, SIX turkeys :) I still have two of those in my chest freezer, so I am not buying anymore than 2 this year, I don't care how cheap they are. But the number of meals you can make out of a $5 turkey makes this one of the most frugal food investments I can think of!

This week Vons also had store coupons for free eggs, bacon, OJ, and english muffins if you spent $50 or more - the catch is that it was $50 AFTER coupons. Now this would obviously put me over my weekly $45 budget goal, but I decided to go ahead and do a big shopping trip this week and make it up over the rest of the month. I've found that the weekend of Thanksgiving (and Christmas too) is not a big shopping week. There are usually no coupons out that weekend, and often my stores won't even put out a new ad and just run the same sales for 2 weeks in order to give their staff a holiday break. So chances are good I will just take a week off of shopping this month anyway.

I used to spend $70 - $80 in the grocery store without even batting an eye, but now... it was actually a challenge to spend over $50! I had to add everything up to make sure I could get that high of a total. Interesting how things have changed :)

In addition to Vons, I made a small trip to Ralph's for some more Mega Item deals, and Henry's for some produce.

Ralph's
I was sooo happy when I saw Coke added to the list of Mega Items! We can never have to much soda on hand to feed Ninja Hubz' addiction. I needed the tortillas for dinner that night (fajitas), and actually paid FULL PRICE *shudder*.

1 can Ro-Tel @ 1.00 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = FREE
Tortillas = 2.19
7x Coke 2-liter @1.27 - $1/4 MFC = 7.89 **
2x Smart Balance @2.49 - $1/2 MFC = 3.98 **
Betty Crocker potatoes @1.99 - .40 MFC (doubled to .80) - .40 cellfire = .79 **
- 5.00 for buying 10 Mega Items (denoted with ** above)
- 6.00 Ralph's Rewards certificate

Total: 4.55

Vons
My cupboards, fridge, and freezer are extremely well stocked after this trip!

2 lbs Brown Sugar 1.69 - .45 MFC (doubled to .90) = .79
5 lbs flour 1.50 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .50
2x Peanut Butter .99 (store coupon) = 1.98
2x Canola Oil 2.29 (store coupon) = 4.58
2x Nestle White Chocolate Chips 5.00 - $1/2 MFC = 4.00
2x Progresso High Fiber Soup 1.25 ea - 2x $1/1 MFC = .50
Corn Tortillas = 1.59
3x Cream of Chicken Soup .80 ea - .25/3 (doubled to .50) = 1.90
2x Cheddar Cheese Soup 1.35 ea - .25/2 = (doubld to .50) = 2.20
2x Ground Pepper 1.57 ea - $1/1 MFC and .50/1 MFC (doubld to 1.00) = 1.14
3x Dreamfield Spaghetti 2.00 ea - 3x $1/1 MFC = 3.00
Friskies cat treats 1.99 - Free Coupon = FREE
Bird's Eye Steamfresh Veggies in Sauce 1.50 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .50
2x Gallon Milk (2.29 ea wyb 2) = 4.58
Smart Balance Butter Blend Sticks 2.50 - $1/1 MFC = 1.50
Smart Balance Heart Right Spread 2.50 - $1/1 MFC = 1.50
1 lb butter 1.49 (store coupon) = 1.49
8x Yoplait Yogurt (.50 ea wyb 8) - .50/6 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 3.00
3x Arm and Hammer toothpaste - $3/2 MFC = 1.49
Hamburger Buns = .89
2x Wheat sandwich bread = 1.98
15.07 lb turkey = 5.00
2x Farmland sliced ham = 5.00
Chicken breast = 5.63
2 lbs bananas = 1.39
10 lbs potatoes = .99
3 lbs onions = 1.99
16oz bacon = FREE with $50 purchase
English Muffins = FREE with $50 purchase
Orange Juice = FREE with $50 purchase
1 dozen eggs = FREE with $50 purchase

Total: 59.22

Walgreens
NEEDED coffee!!

Chocolate Chips 1.79 -.50 MFC = 1.29
Folgers Coffee = 2.50
Baking Powder = .50

Total: 4.29

Weekly Total: 68.06

So I'm $23 over for the week, but I don't think I'll have any problems making that up during the rest of the month.

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Southern Savers
Money Saving Mom

Weekly Grocery Shopping (10/28 - 11/3)

It was yet another round of "Mega Event" at Ralph's this week, coupled with an 8-hour "midnight madness" sale. Lately I've been less than impressed with the mega items, but this week there were some great deals to be had on items I actually wanted to buy! The sale continues this coming week, although from a quick look at the new ad it looks like there are some different items.

All in all, I managed to come in well under my $45 weekly target and fill a lot of space in the cupboards.

Ralph's

You know you're doing it right when the manager is checking you out and comments on your coupons "making it practically free"! (He said it in a nice way :) I told him I loved their Mega Events!

2x Taco Doritios = 1.98 (Midnight Madness Item)
Snapple Iced Tea @1.00 - .55 MFC (doubled to $1) = FREE
Cream of Potato Soup = .79
2x Uncle Ben's Ready Rice @1.99 - $1/2 MFC = 2.98 **
2x Carnation Evaporated milk @ 1.29 - .50/2 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.58 **
3x Bumble Bee Tuna @ 1.25 ea -2x $1/1 MFC - .55/1 MFC (doubled to $1) = .75 **
Land O Lakes Spreadable Butter 2.49 - .40 MFC (doubled to .80) = 1.69 **
YoPlus Yogurt 2.99 - 1.00 MFC - 1.00 shortcuts e-coupon = .99 **
6x Hormel Chili @ 1.38 ea - 2x $2/3 MFC = 4.28 **
5x Del Monte diced tomatos @ .99 ea - $1/5 = 3.95 **
Radishes = .50
Apples = .54
-10.00 for buying 20 Mega Items (denoted with ** above)

Total: 10.08

Fresh and Easy
Cheap tuna in large quantities: that's worth an extra stop on the way home!

10x tuna = 5.00 (.50 ea wyb 10)
Hot dog buns = .88

Total: 5.88

Vons
Well props to Ninja Hubz for this trip, because I realized at about 8:30 on Halloween night that the good soda deals at Vons ended that night, so I sent him to the store with coupons and a detailed list. Sometimes that doesn't go well, because he occasionally decides to stray from the list. But he did perfect this time - nothing extra, and he didn't lose any coupons. Yay Ninja Hubz!

Goldfish crackers = 1.00

Yakisoba noodles @ .88 - .50 MFC (doubled to .88) = FREE

Friskies cat treats 1.99 - Free MFC = FREE

4x Coke 2-liter @.88 = 3.52

3x Coke 12 pack 6.99 (wyb 3) - $2/3 MFC = 4.99

Total: 13.11

Henry's

Well I didn't realize this until I started typing in my receipt here, but apparently I got my bulk white pepper for free. I think that sometimes if their bulk codes don't go through the register right, they just skip it. I remember seeing the casheir put the pepper on the scale, then take it off and do the paprika, but I was focusing on scanning my debit card at the time so I wasn't really paying attention. I imagine that with the number of times they forget my reusable bag credit, it comes out even in the end :)

Green Leaf Lettuce = .99
2 lbs carrots = .99
Spinach = 1.19
Cucumber = .50
Apples = .79
.77 lbs wild rice blend = 1.53
.12 lb Paprika = .96
white pepper = free

Total: 6.95

Weekly Total: 36.02

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Southern Savers
Super Savings Saturday

Weekly Grocery Shopping (10/21 - 10/27)

OK I am still getting back on track after a few weeks off. I picked up a bunch of Halloween candy while grocery shopping - I didn't want to buy it too early since that increases the chance of me eating it all ahead of time, but I didn't want to wait until the last minute and then have to desperately grab whatever I could find and paying full price. Apparently I'm screwed no matter which strategy I choose because it put me way over budget. So I decided it doesn't count! It's not real food, so it doesn't come out of my grocery money. Haha, take that, budget killing holidays! I will count Halloween candy in my mysterious "Household" category, which ends up catching all sorts of weird things that don't fit anywhere else. With that executive decision out of the way, I came in quite close to my weekly goal of $45!

Ralph's

2x Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent @2.99 - $1/2 MFC = 4.98
3x Nature's Valley Granola Bars @ 2.50 ea and
1x Chex Mix Bars @ 2.50 ea
  -.40 Shortcuts e-coupon
  -.40 Shortcuts e-coupon
  -.50/1 Chex Mix bars MFC (doubled to 1.00)
  -.40/1 Nature Valley bars MFC (doubled to .80)
  -.70/2 Nature Valley bars MFC (doubled to 1.00)
  -4.00 buy 4 Nature Valley/Chex bars get $4 off
  = 2.40
4x 8oz tomato sauce @ .25 ea = 1.00
Hot dog buns = 1.19
5 lbs potatoes = 1.99
2 lbs carrots = 1.29
1.28 lbs bananas = .86
Cucumber = .89
2x Ball Park hot dogs @ .99 ea (manager's special) - $1/2 MFC = .98
Multi Grain bagette french bread = .99

Total: 16.16

Vons

2x Kit Kat snack size = 4.00
2x Reeses snack size -2.50 B3G1 free coupon = 1.50
Combo Candy bag = 9.99
2x Whole Grain Wheat Thins @ 1.38 ea - $1/2 MFC = 1.76
Canola Oil = 5.79
Olive Oil = 5.99 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 4.99
Lean Pockets breakfast @1.79 - .75 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .79
8x Yoplait Yogurt @ .60 ea wyb 8
  -.50 e-coupon
  -.40/6 MFC (doubled to .80)
  -.60 B6G1 MFC
  = 2.90
4x Tombstone Pizza @2.50 ea - 2x 1.50/2 MFC = 7.00
2x Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage @1.99 ea - $1/2 MFC = 3.98

Total: 41.70

Henry's

1.93 lbs Rome Apples = .64
Romaine Lettuce = 1.19
Green Leaf Lettuce = .99
Celery = .99
Garlic = .67
Onions = .29
Reusable Bag Credit = -.05

Total: 4.72

Weekly Total: 62.58
Halloween Candy: 15.49
Regular Groceries: 47.09

So if we don't count the halloween candy, I was only $2.09 over budget. Stupid candy :)

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Super Savings Saturday
Southern Savings

Grocery Shopping Catch-Up

I've been derelict in posting my shopping trips this month. I will be back on track for the current week with pictures and and a full price break-down, but I wanted to do a quick "catch-up" for all the shopping I've done so far this month so I cant keep track of the totals.

I had one CRAZY overbudget week as you'll see below. This is entirely due to having my parents down for a visit for several days. My dad had a heart attack a while back and has consequently become VERY conscious about what he eats. I wanted to be able to provide meals that everyone could enjoy and would be ok for him to eat. So I ended up buying a lot of "special" items for him (no cholesterol butter spread, fat-free mayonnaise, egg substitute, etc) and a few other items for new "healthy" recipes I planned on trying out. So that week just quickly spiralled out of control.

9/30/09 - 10/06/09
This week I made two trips to Food for Less just to stock up on staples and get a head start for a few things I knew I would want for my parents' visit.

Weekly Total: 44.84

10/07/09 - 10/13/09
OK this was my last trip out before my parents came down to visit, and I ended up paying full price for a lot of things I normally wouldn't buy at all. I could have done a lot better if I'd planned for this a month or two ahead of time, but life happens. This week was GROSSLY overbudget, the worst I have ever done since I began couponing and being a Savings Ninja. Again, life happens. It was a special occasion so I'm not losing sleep over it. But it is certainly a good reminder of why we coupon and put so much effort into planning our purchases!

Ralph's: 33.98
Henry's: 7.88
Vons: 39.41
Walgreens: 10.59

Weekly Total: 91.86

10/14/09 - 10/20/09
This was my "back on the wagon" week. I managed to make up a little ground and stay about $10 under target!

Ralph's: 15.92
Vons: 14.54
Walgreens: 3.65

Weekly Total: 34.11

Weekly Grocery Shopping (9/23 - 9/29)

This was a pretty light week as far as shopping goes. I just grabbed some of the best deals I saw at each store and enough produce for the week. Aside from a fantastic deal on pork at Ralphs and a lot of Register Rewards at Walgreens, it was kind of a boring shopping week. That's ok though, because it helps me stay well under my $45 weekly target :)

Ralphs
Holy meat, Batman! I got a great deal on pork sirlion this week. Giant packs were on sale for .99/lb, and I had a coupon from one of the Ralphs mailers a while back for $2 off any store brand pork item. The original price on this package was 29.49, and I got it for 5.32!!! Are there actually people who would have paid $30 for this? I can't even fathom it. Anyway, I split it in half and popped it into the freezer, eventually this will probably be mega batches of pulled BBQ pork and carnitas. Yum!

It is also another week of Mega deals, where if you buy 10 "mega items" you get 5.00 off your total. I listed my mega items in yellow - the prices I listed include the .50 mega discount off each item.

2x Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups = .50
4x Kraft American Cheese 1.49 - 2x $1/2 MFC = 3.96
2x Tollhouse chocolate chips 2.49 - .50/2 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 3.98
Oreos 2.49 - .60 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.49
Lean pockets 1.49 - .40 MFC (doubled to .80) = .69
7.39 lbs pork sirloin .99/lb - $2 off any store brand pork product = 5.32
Beef liver = .95 (manager's special)
Hormel pepperoni 2.00 - .55 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.00

Total = 18.39

Henry's

1.41 lbs apples = 1.24

Cantaloupe = .97

2.08 lbs grapes = 1.02

Reusable bag credit = -.05

Total = 3.18

Walgreens

Chapstick Effects = 2.99 (gave $3 RR)

Oral B toothbrush 3.00 - .75 MFC = 2.25

Vaseline lotion 6.99 - 1.50 MFC = 5.49 (gave $7 RR)

Halls refresh drops 1.00 - .75 MFC = .25 (gave $1 RR)

Italian blend cheese = 1.50

- 2.50 RR from last week

- 2.00 RR from last week

Total = 9.20

Received $11 in RR for next trip

Vons

I didn't get much at Vons today, just cherry-picking the good deals. Any day where my total is $10 before coupons is a good day :)

Yakisoba noodles 1.00 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = FREE
Campbells soup at hand 1.34 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .34
La Victoria Green chiles 1.25 - .25 MFC (tripled to .75) = .50
Capri sun 1.99 - .55 e-coupon - FREE catalina from last week = -.55
Steamfresh vegetables 1.50 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .50
Home pride wheat bread 1.99 - .55 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .99
1.28 lbs oranges = .60
Lettuce = 1.00

Total = 3.38

Weekly Total  = 34.15

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Super Savings Saturday

Weekly Grocery Shopping (9/16 - 9/22)

Well, I was on track to make my new $45 weekly budget, but it all got messed up at my last store. Vons is usually the best place I go to when it comes to coupons, but this week I just had a lot of problems. On the plus side, I am amply stocked on snacks :)

Ralph's

Lawry's Fajita Seasoning .79 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = -.21
2x cream of potato soup  .79 = 1.58
2x Dell Monte pineapple chunks .99 (clearanced) = 1.98
Lettuce = .99
1.33 lbs oranges = 1.02
Chuck Roast = 5.43
Lunchmeat = 2.50
Reeses Cup .60 - .55 MFC (doubled to .60) = FREE
Snickers .89 - FREE MFC coupon = FREE

Total = 13.29

Henry's

2 lb bag carrots = .99

Wheat french bread mini loaf = .89

.74 lbs apples = .57

Celery = .50

2x Avocado = .67

Cucumber = .79

.89 lbs Bananas = .45

.36 lbs dried cranberries = 1.26

Total = 6.12

Walgreens

2x cream of mushroom soup @ .89 - $1/2 MFC = .78

2x cream of chicken soup @ .89 - $1/2 MFC = .78

2x Skippy peanut butter @ 1.59 - $1/2 MFC = 2.18

Carefree panty liners 1.99 - $1 MFC = .99 (gave $2 RR)

Thermacare heat wrap 2.49 - $1 MFC = 1.49 (gave $2.50 RR)

Total = 6.61

Received 4.50 in RR for next trip

Vons

Well this was just one of those trips where nothing went right. Stuff rang up at the wrong price, I didn't get deals I was supposed to get (buy 4 of certain items get $4 off), the cashier missed scanning some of my coupons, none of my shortcuts or cellfire e-coupons were applied... the store was packed, they were short on checkers and baggers... really, it was like a perfect storm of shopping mayhem. Anyway, bottom line is I spent way more than I planned. I should have spoken up and tried to get them to fix some of these issues, but I just wasn't in the mood to deal with it. I'm lousy at confrontation :(

(I'm not going to itemize this trip since everything was goofed up)

Total = 33.49

Weekly Total = 59.51

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Super Savings Saturday

Weekly Grocery Shopping (9/9 - 9/15)

This is week 2 of my transition from $50 a week down to $45, and I did really well! I spent a lot more time planning my shopping - not only to find the good deals, but to add up everything I was planning to buy to make sure I'd stay within budget. Vons was out of a few items I had intended to get so I actually came in well under budget.

Ralph's
Awesome deal on Healthy Choice meals... I ♥ getting paid to buy stuff :) I splurged on some whole wheat french bread from the bakery to go with the soup I was making that night... and OH MY GOSH this bread was good.

4x Healthy Choice dinners @ 1.77 ea (wyb 4) - 4x 2.00 MFC = -.92
3x Coke 2 liter @ .99 ea (wyb 3) = 2.97
Barilla Piccolini pasta 1.50 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .50
Barilla whole wheat pasta 1.50 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .50
2x Margarine @ .99 ea = 1.98
2x dozen eggs @ .77 ea = 1.54
Apples = .79
Whole wheat french bread = 1.47
Reese's Cup @. 60 ea - .55 MFC (doubled to .60) = FREE
Snickers Bar .89 - Free MFC coupon = FREE

Total = 9.44

Henry's

Lettuce = .50
Spinach = .88
Strawberries = .88
Avocado = .50
Reusable bag credit = -.05

Total = 2.71

Walgreens
I really only went to Wags this week because I had RR expiring - there weren't any deals I felt compelled to partake in. So, I bought toilet paper! One can never have too much toilet paper :)

3x Geisha tuna @.59 ea = 1.77
Angel Soft TP = 6.00
RR from previous trip = -7.00

Total = 1.30

Fresh & Easy
$1.49/lb is the BEST price I ever see on 80/20 ground beef, so I bought 4 lbs. Last time it was this price, I bought 12 lbs. I still have a lot of the freezer meals I made from that batch, but no plain ground beef. So this time I only bought 4 lbs. I think this is what they call "restraint". Apparently I can learn it! :) The onions were not that great a price, but I was out.

~4lbs ground beef @1.49/lb = 6.14
2lbs onion = 1.48

Total = 7.62

Vons

Betty Crocker Warm Delights 1.69
   - .50 cellfire e-coupon
   - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00)
   = .19
Padrino's Tortilla Chips 2.00 - 1.00 MFC = 1.00
Mission Tortilla Chips = .99
Keebler PB crackers 2.00 - .55 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.00
Mission Tortillas 2.00 - .75 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.00
18 pack eggs = 1.49 (store coupon)
10x Yoplait yogurt @.50 ea (wyb 10)
   - .50/6 cellfire e-coupon
   -. 50/6 shortcuts e-coupon
   - .50/6 MFC (doubled to 1.00)
   = 3.00 (.30 ea)
Yoplait Yo-Plus 2.50
   - 1.00 cellfire e-coupon
   - 1.00 MFC
   = .50
2x Whole grain english muffins @ .99 ea = 1.98
Wheat bread = .99
Hormel lunch meat @ 1.99 (store coupon) - .55 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .99
5lb Russet potato @.89 - .50 (Vons internet coupon) = .39

Total = 13.53

Weekly Total = 34.60

Yeah baby! $10 under budget!

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Super Savings Saturday

Weekly Grocery Shopping (9/2 - 9/8)

I've decided to try and lower my weekly grocery budget to $45 (originally $50). $5 a week may not seem like a big deal, but its 10% of what I've been spending! I'm doing this mainly because I think I can. I've been successfully adhering to the $50 goal for many months, and have achieved a substantial stockpile. I feel I'm at a point where I should scale back a little and focus more on maintaining the stockpile than building it up. While I expect this will be a bit of a challenge at first, I think that within a few weeks I'll get used to it and not even notice the difference. I like pushing myself to improve.

This week I did pretty good. I would have made the $45 target except I had a few problems with coupons at Albertsons (more on that below). But I have to admit the main reason for my success is there just weren't that many great deals to tempt me :)

Oh, and in case you're wondering why I'm always buying so many darn hot dogs, Ninja Hubz uses a lot them for dog training treats (he eats them a lot for lunch and snacks too).

Ralph's
As I've mentioned before, Ninja Hubz is a soda junkie, so no matter how much I already have, if a good deal comes around I grab it! Labor Day is a good time for soda sales

4x Coke 12-packs @1.99 (in ad coupon) = 7.96
Tortilla chips 2.50 - 1.00 MFC = 1.50
2x Hefty freezer bags 1.00 ea - $.55/2 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.00
Barilla Piccolini pasta 1.50 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .50
Barilla whole wheat pasta 1.50 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .50
2x Lawry's Taco Seasoning .69 ea - $.50/2 (doubled to 1.00) = .38
2x Dannon Activia Yogurt 1.88 ea - 2x $1/1 MFC = 1.76
Milk = 1.49
Bounty Paper towels 1.00 - .25 MFC (tripled to .75) = .25
2x Ball Park hot dogs .88 ea - $1/2 MFC = .76
Radishes = .50
Lettuce = 1.69
Corn = .50
Cucumber = .79
Snickers Bar .89 - Free MFC coupon = FREE
 
Total = 23.44

Albertsons
Albertsons is not what I consider to be one of my "regular" stores, but periodically they have some good loss-leaders or other promotions so I always check the ads and will make a trip if the deals are good enough. Its not a bad store, and the employees are always very courteous, but for whatever reason I tend to have a lot of problems getting deals to work right there. Since I have several other stores nearby where I don't seem to ever have problems, life is just easier if I don't go to Albertsons.

But I got suckered in this week by their Labor Day "In-Ad" coupons, so went there instead of Vons (since the Vons ad didn't impress me a great deal). Anyway, turns out that many of the "In-Ad" coupons were actually Manufacturer's coupons (which I didn't realize because they didn't SAY "Manufacturer's Coupon" like they should have), so they wouldn't let me stack them with my regular coupons. This meant several of the things I thought I was getting good deals on really weren't good deals at all. I should have told the cashier to take those items off my order but I just wasn't thinking. D'oh. Oh well, I will write this off as a learning experience and try to get on with my life :)

 
4x Coke 12-packs @2.25 ea (In-Ad coupon which was NOT a manufacturer's coupon) - $2/3 MFC = 7.00
2x Oscar Meyer hot dogs @.99 ea (In-Ad coupon which WAS a manufacturer's coupon so didn't stack with my $1/2 MFC) = 1.98
2x Ritz crackers @1.99 ea (In-Ad coupon which WAS a manufacturer's coupon) = 3.98
Ritz crackerfuls = 3.89 (Cashier would not let me use coupon for "Buy 1 Ritz get Crackerfuls free" because of the Ritz in-ad coupon I used, which now that I think about it doesn't make sense at all)
2x Jennie-O Turkey franks @1.00 ea - 2x .55/2 MFC = .90
Bananas = 1.81
Snickers .89 - Free MFC (up to .85) = .04
 
Total = 23.00
 
Weekly Total = 46.44

So I'm 1.44 over my new weekly goal, and I'm swimming in Coke and hot dogs. I think I'm going to go enjoy some full-priced crackers, which had better be very very good :)

Check out more great shopping trips at
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Super Savngs Saturday

Weekly Grocery Shopping (8/26 - 9/1)

This week I had a bunch of catalinas that needed to get used, so use them I did! I got a ton of stuff, including gallons of soda. Ninja Hubz drinks Coke constantly so its always a challenge to maintain an adequate supply. And apparently I felt my cheddar cheese stockpile was getting low, because I kept buying more :) I think I have enough for a while now.

Albertsons

Normally I would not pay for the luxury of pre-sliced apples, but I had $6 in catalinas set to expire and there weren't any fantastic deals to spend them on, so I splurged. I have to admit, they're really very tasty and handy to have around. At 1/2 off they're not horrifically overpriced and since its been over 100 degrees at my house, I'm ok with spending a bit extra to have a healthy snack that requires no effort to prepare.

3x Hunt's Ketchup @ $1 ea - 3x .40/1 MFC = 2.40
2x Crunch Pak Sliced Apples B1G1 = 3.49
Fresh Express Salad = .99
-6.00 catalinas

Total: .88

Walgreens
Ninja Pup says there's always room for Jell-O!

4x Jell-O 2/$1 - 2x $.50/2 = 1.00
2x Deerfield Farms Cheese 2/$3 = 3.00
Carefree Pantyliners 1.99 - $1 MFC = .99 (Gave $2 RR)
Reach Dental Floss 2.99 - $1 MFC = 1.99 (Gave $2 RR)
Colgate Toothbrush 2.99 = 2.99 (Gave $3 RR)
-4.00 RR from previous trip

Total: 6.67 (Received $7 in RR for next trip)

Vons

Betty Crocker Warm Delights 1.69
-.50 cellfire e-coupon
-.50 x2 shortcuts e-coupons
-.50 MFC (doubled to 1.00)
= -.81

5x Multigrain Cheerios @2.50
- 5.00 buy 5 get $5 deal
- 2x $1/2 MFC
- .55 cellfire e-coupon
= 4.95

6x Coke 2-liters B3G3 = 5.97
2x Coke 24 pack = 9.98
Barilla Whole Wheat pasta 1.34 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = .34
Milk = 1.79
Land O lakes butter 2.29 - .50 MFC (doubled to 1.00) = 1.29
2x Sargento Shredded Cheese = 2.98
Yoplait Yo-Plus 2.50 - 1.00 shortcuts e-coupon - 1.00 MFC = .50
Hamburger Buns = .59
Hot Dog Buns = .59
Bread = .99
2x Smithfield Bacon @ 4.99 - 2x 3.00 MFC = 3.98
Top Round Roast = 6.40 (1.99/lb)
Pork Ribs = 4.05 (.99/lb)
Bananas = 1.05
Nectarines = 1.17
- $5 catalinas from last trip

Total: 47.16

Ralph's

1 lb cheddar cheese = 2.99
Tortilla chips 2.50 - 1.00 MFC = 1.50
3x top sirloin steak = 4.97 (1.99/lb)
3x lunch meat (1 lb each) = 5.97

Total: 15.43

Weekly Total: 70.14

That's $20 over my weekly $50 budget, but since I was waaay under last week (only 16.92), I'm still under budget for the month!

Check out more great shopping trips at The Grocery Cart Challenge and Super Savings Saturday

Weekly Grocery Shopping (8/19 - 8/25)

This was a very light shopping week for several reasons. First of all, we have tons and tons of food already. I like having a good stockpile, but sometimes enough is enough! Second, I am going to be out of town traveling for work for a few days next week. Ninja Hubz will be on his own, but there's plenty of leftover turkey in the fridge and frozen pizzas.

The impending trip has me kind of stressed out - traveling for work is a big hassle. I feel torn between going shopping (because getting deals will take my mind off work and probably make me feel better), and skipping it (so I can use that time to prepare for the trip and then trying to do something fun). Shopping for emotional reasons is never a good idea, and I know that we just don't need any of the stuff I would buy. So, I think I'm better off staying home.

I did pick up a few things this week, unfortunately there's no pictures since my camera battery chose to die at the exact moment I got home.

Foodland IGA
This place is a little independent grocery store just up the street. Their prices on packaged goods are usually horrible (think convenience store), but sometimes they have great produce and meat prices, so I always look through the ads.

5 lb bag potatoes = .79
1.49 lbs onions = .88
1.28 lbs sweet potatoes = .88
1 lb baby carrots = .99
10 lbs chicken leg quarters = 5.80
4.96 lbs pork shoulder roast = 4.66

Total: 14.00

Henry's
2 lbs carrots = .99
.07 lb bulk ground cumin = .42
2.19 lb bulk brown rice = 1.51

Total: 2.92

Weekly Total: 16.92

Check out more shopping trips at
Super Savings Saturday

Weekly Grocery Shopping (8/12 - 8/18)

Well holy cow, I had a good week shopping. It was kind of complicated, what with a ton of rebates, Register Rewards, and Catalinas, but I actually have fun figuring out the deals. Assuming I get my rebates back, I successfully stayed under my $50/week budget. But seriously, I am going to have to take a shopping break soon... I am running out of places to put stuff!

Ralph's
Well this was the week to cash in my $10 rewards certificate. I also scored enough good deals on Kellogs stuff (items listed in blue) to get the $10 Fuel for School rebate. Just a reminder, if you are doing the Kelloggs rebate, they require you to send in the UPCs from all 10 items. I kind of wish I realized that before I put groceries away, but that's ok. They were running a deal where you could get 4 of participating Kellogs/Keebler items for $6 (works out to $1 off each item), and you could do 2 such deals per transacation.

Oh, and the beef liver is for dog treats... I don't eat that stuff :)




2x Eggo Nutri Gran Waffles 2/$5 -$1/2 MFC -2.00 Kellogs deal = 3.00
2x Rice Krispies Treat 2/$5 - $1/2 MFC - 2.00 Kellogs deal = 3.00
2x Keebler Cookies 2/$5 - $1/2 MFC - 2.00 Kellogs deal = 3.00
2x Fruit Snacks 2/$5 - $1/2 MFC - 2.00 Kellogs deal = 3.00
2x Nutri Gran bars 2/$5 - $1/2 MFC = 4.00
4x Tomato sauce @ .25 = 1.00
Hot dog buns = .88
6x Coke buy 3 get 3 free = 5.97
2.17 lbs Grapes = 1.67
3.47 lbs Cantaloupe = 1.74
1 lb Beef liver = 1.22 (manager's special)
Turkey Franks @ .99 - .55 MFC (doubled to .99) = FREE
2x Suave conditioner @ .99 - $1/2 MFC = .98
Ralph Rewards Coupon = -10.00

Total OOP: 16.06 - will get $10 Kellogg's Fuel for School Rebate

Total after rebate: 6.06

Albertsons
I don't shop at Albertsons regularaly, but if they're going to PAY me to take food out of the store, it would be rude not to show up :) They're running a promo where if you buy $25 in certain Kraft products, you get a $5 catalina for your next trip, and a $20 rebate from Kraft (the rebate form prints at the register with your catalinas). So, they're basically giving you free food, and if you use coupons, you'll make a profit! Plus there's another catalina deal on Velveeta mac n cheese cups ($1 off your next trip when you buy 2 or more) that I didn't even know about until it printed out! Free food rocks!

Arm & Hammer laundry detergent 1.99 (store coupon) - $1 MFC = .99
3x Velveeta Mac N Cheese cup - 1 B1G1 MFC and a .55/1 MC = 1.45
2x Kraft shredded cheese @ 1.79 -$1/2 MFC = 2.58
2x Kraft cream cheese @ 1.79 -$1/2 MFC = 2.58
DiGiorno 12" pizza 5.00 - $1 MFC = 4.00
4x DiGiorno pizza for 1 @ 2/$5 - 2x $1/2 MFC = 8.00
2x corn = .50
Seedless watermelon = 1.69 (store coupon)

Total OOP: 21.79
$5 OYNO catalina (kraft deal)
$1 OYNO catalina (buy 2 or more velveeta cups)
$20 Kraft rebate

Total after rebates: 1.79 (I'm not counting the catalinas since they will count when I use them on the next trip).

Walgreens

2x Canned Mandarin Oranges = .98
Softsoap Body Wash = 3.99 (gave $4 RR)
RR from last trip = -3.50

Total: 1.82 plus $4 RR for next trip

Vons


4x Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 4/$4 (store coupon)
- .40/1 MFC (doubled to .80)
- .40/1 MFC (not doubled)
- .50/2 MFC (doubled to 1.00)
- .40 cellfire e-coupon
= 1.40 (gave $2.50 OYNO catalina)
4x Nature Valley Granola Bar 4/$6 (store coupon)
- .40/1 MFC (doubled to .80)
- .40/1 MFC (not doubled)
- .70/2 MFC (doubled to 1.00)
- .40 shortcuts e-coupon
- .40 cellfire e-coupon
= 3.00 (gave $2.50 OYNO catalina)
4x Coke 2-liter = 3.96
2x Quilted Northern TP @ 5.99 - 2x 1.00 MFC = 9.98
Welch's grape juice 1.99 (store coupon) - 1.00 MFC = .99
2x Wheat Bread = 1.98
2x White Bread = 1.98
1 lb Ham lunch meat 2.99 (store coupon) - 1.00 MFC = 1.99
3.5 lbs Pork chops = 6.71 (1.88/lb)
Cucumber = .99
Lettuce = .99
Radishes = .79
4x croutons @ 1.00 - 2x $1/2 MFC = 2.00

Total: 38.75 plus recieved $5 in catalinas for next visit

Weekly Total: 48.42 (after rebates)

Well, I'm off to mail out rebate forms!

Check out more great shopping trips at
Super Savings Saturday
The Grocery Cart Challenge