OUR END OF THE MONTH GROCERY TALLY AND OUR GOAL FOR AUGUST

7-1-09 KROGER: I THINK I'VE ALREADY POSTED THIS TRIP BUT IT WAS
$38.75/88 ITEMS

7-3-09 MEIJER: 3 TONY'S POUCHES @ $1 EACH
2 SLIICED SALAMI PACKS @ $1/EACH
TOTAL OOP = $0.50/5 ITEMS

7-3-09 MEIJER: 2 TONY'S POUCHES@ $1 EACH
3 PKGS. PEPPERONI @ $1 EACH
2 DENTEK FLOSS PICKS @ $1 EACH
4 BOXES PASTA $1 EACH
2 HELUVA GOOD DIPS $1.19 EACH
1 PKG TEXAS TOAST CROUTONS $1.39
4 CASES PEPSI @ $3.99 CASE
TOTAL OOP $17.20/18 ITEMS

7-3-09 MEIJER: BOTTLE OF MT. DEW $0.99
2 TONY'S POUCHES @$1 EACH
4 BOXES PASTA$1 EACH
2 JARS SALSA $1 EACH
1 PKG PEPPERONI $1
2 HELUVA GOOD DIPS $1.19/EACH
2 TEXAS TOAST CROUTONS $1.39/EACH
3 PKGS AUNT MILLIE'S HAMBURGER BUNS B1G2F $3.19
TOTAL OOP: $3.30/17 ITEMS

7-3-09 MEIJER: 3 PKGS PEPPERONI $1 EACH
1 PKG. SALAMI $1
2 TONY'S POUCHES $1 EACH
2 BOXES RONZONI PASTA $1 EACH
1 PKG AUNT MILLIE'S HAMBURGER BUNS $3.19/B1G2F
2 PKGS AUNT MILLIE'S HOT DOG BUNS
2 PKGS TEXAS TOAST CROUTONS $1.39/EACH
2 HELUVA GOOD DIPS $1.19/EACH
1 BOTTLE OF COCA-COLA $1.19
4 CASES MT. DEW @$3.99 CASE
TOTAL OOP $22.63/20 ITEMS

7-4-09 KROGER: 3 BAGS POTATO CHIPS $1.84
3 GALLONS MILK $1.98 EACH
50 LB BAG OLD YELLER DOG FOOD $11.99
5 CASES COKE B4G1F $2.75/EACH
$35.99/12 ITEMS

7-14-09 KROGER: I THINK I'VE ALREADY POSTED THIS TRIP AS WELL.
TOTAL OOP: $37.91/76 ITEMS

7-15-09 KROGER: 6 BOXES KRAFT MAC & CHEESE $0.53/EACH
4 LOREAL HAIR SPRAYS @ BOGOF $3.79 EACH
2 LOREAL SHAMPOOS @ BOGOF $3.79/EACH
4 LOREAL KIDS SHAMPOOS @ BOGOF $2.99/EACH
TOTAL OOP: $8.98/16 ITEMS

7-15-09 KROGER: 6 MORE BOXES KRAFT MAC & CHEESE $0.53/EACH
TOTAL OOP $1.18

7-25-09 KROGER: 11 TUBES CREST TOOTHPASTE (DONATION ITEMS) $1 EACH
2 BOTTLES AJAX DISH SOAP $0.99/EACH
2 HEADS LETTUCE $0.88/EACH
3 PKGS KROGER SHREDDED CHEESE $1.25/EACH
2 CANS TOMATO SAUCE $0.59/EACH
2 CANS CHEF-BOY-R-DEE $0.94/EACH
1 CAN REFRIED BEANS $0.79
4 HALF GALLONS MILK $0.79/EACH
APPROX 10 LBS GROUND BEEF @ $1.28/LB.
TOTAL OOP: $19.04/31 ITEMS
7-25-09 SHOPPING BAG FULL OF FRESH GREEN BEANS FREE FROM DH'S COWORKER
7-25-09 VEGETABLE STAND 1 1/2 LBS TOMATOES FOR $1.50
I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE RECEIPT WENT BUT WE ALSO PICKED UP 3 5LB BAGS OF POTATOES @ $1 EACH EARLIER IN THE MONTH TOTAL OOP $3

TOTAL OOP FOR THE MONTH OF JULY $189.98 THIS IS LESS THAN WHAT WE USED TO SPEND FOR 2 WEEKS BEFORE WE STARTED USING COUPONS. DO WE EAT ANY DIFFERENTLY NOW THAN WE DID BEFORE COUPONING? NO... THE ONLY THING THAT HAS CHANGED IS THAT WE USED TO BUY STRICTLY GENERIC/STORE BRANDS BECAUSE WE "THOUGHT" THEY WERE CHEAPER. NOW, WE EAT MOSTLY NAME BRANDS AND WE ARE GETTING WAY MORE FOR OUR MONEY.


NOW, IF I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH COUPONING AND STOCKPILING AND I WAS TO SEE THESE "GROCERY TRIPS" ON SOMEONE ELSE'S BLOGS, I WOULD PROBABLY SAY "WHAT KIND OF MEALS CAN YOU MAKE OUT OF THIS STUFF?" OR "DO THESE PEOPLE EVER EAT?" OH YEAH...WE EAT!! WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE WE DON'T DO "NORMAL SHOPPING TRIPS", WE DO THE "REPLENISH YOUR STOCKPILE" TRIPS. WE HAVE BEEN STOCKPILING FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. WE WOULD CATCH MEAT WHEN IT'S AT THEIR LOWEST PRICES AND STOCK UP. WE STILL HAVE A BUNCH OF FROZEN VEGGIES. THE LAST DAY OF JUNE, EGGS WERE $0.88 A DOZEN SO I GOT ENOUGH TO LAST US FOR JULY. SO, WE COULD HAVE GONE THE WHOLE MONTH OF JULY WITH ONLY SPENDING $$ ON THE MILK, LETTUCE, DOG FOOD, AND THE REFRIED BEANS AND TOMATO SAUCE NEEDED FOR LAST NIGHT'S AND TONIGHTS SUPPER. WHICH LEADS ME TO OUR GOAL FOR AUGUST. WE HAVE SET OUR GROCERY/STOCKPILE BUDGET FOR AUGUST AT $100. CAN WE DO IT?

FREE COFFEE!!

IF YOU’RE A COFFEE LOVER, YOU’LL LOVE THIS OFFER.  NESCAFE WANTS TO SEND YOU A FREE TASTER’S CHOICE STICK PACK SAMPLE WITH ALL 6 DELICIOUS FLAVORS.  THERE IS A LIMIT OF ONE PACK PER PERSON AND A MAXIMUM OF 2 PACKS PER HOUSEHOLD/ADDRESS.  GO HERE TO GET YOURS!!

A FEW GREAT PRINTABLE COUPONS

 

JUST WANTED TO SHARE A FEW GREAT PRINTABLE COUPONS.  BUT YOU BETTER PRINT THEM RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THEY NEVER SEEM TO LAST LONG!!

GO TO THE SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS WEBSITE HERE AND YOU WILL FIND SOME GREAT PRINTABLE COUPONS FROM ConAgra FOODS.  COUPONS THAT YOU CAN PRINT INCLUDE:

$1 off ONE (1) Chef Boyardee® 15-oz can

$.50 off any ONE (1) Peter Pan® Peanut Butter

$.50 off any TWO (2) Crunch 'n Munch®

$1 off any FOUR (4) Snack Pack® 4-packs

GO HERE TO PRINT A COUPON FOR $1 OFF OF ANY TWO CAMPBELL’S COOKING SOUPS.

HERE’S ANOTHER GREAT PRINTABLE:  $1.50 PRINTABLE COUPON FOR NESTLE PURE LIFE 24 PACK OF WATER  PLUS, THIS DEAL GETS EVEN SWEETER… WHEN YOU BUY 3 OR MORE PARTICIPATING PACKS YOU CAN SEND IN YOUR RECEIPTS AND UPC’S TO RECEIVE A COUPON/COUPONS FOR A FREE PACK/PACKS MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

MY KROGER MEGA DEAL SHOPPING TRIP

ITEMS WITH AN ASTERICK (*) IN FRONT ARE ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE MEGA DEAL

*2 PKGS KRAFT SHREDDED CHEESE $1.99 EACH USED A $1/2 Q

*2 PKGS SARGENTO SHREDDED CHEESE $1.99 EACH USED A $1/2 Q

*8 BOXES KLEENEX TISSUES $1.79/EACH USED 4 $0.50/2 Q’S

*2 BAGS SIMPLY POTATOES $1.79 EACH USED A $1/2 KROGER Q

6 PKGS UNCLE BEN’S READY RICE $2.19/EACH USED 6 TRY ME FREE Q’S

4 TASTER’S CHOICE COFFEE STICKS $1.09 USED 4 $0.50 Q’S

*4 SUNNY DELIGHT SMOOTHIES $1.49 USED 2 $0.25 Q’S AND 2 $0.55 Q’S FROM THE SUNNY D WEBSITE

2 LOREAL SHAMPOOS $3.79 EACH ON SALE FOR BOGOF. USED 2 $1 Q’S = $1.79 FOR 2

2 LOREAL FOR MEN SHAMPOOS $3.79 EACH SAME AS ABOVE

*2 SPEED STICK FOR MEN DEODORANTS $1.50 USED 2 $1.50 PRINTABLE Q’S

*8 KRAFT SALAD DRESSINGS $1.69 EACH USED 8 $1 Q’S

*8 PKGS STAYFREE PADS $2.50 EACH USED 4 $1 Q’S AND 4 B1G1F Q’S

2 JARS PICKLES $3.49 EACH NO Q’S BUT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON CLOSEOUT AT $1.24. I’LL BE TAKING THESE BACK TOMORROW. update: I took these back, and the customer service manager checked the shelf. the tag was put on the wrong shelf. It was supposed to be on the pickles below the ones I bought. But she reimbursed me the difference and thanked me for bringing it to their attention. So, I did end up getting them for $1.24/each...

*4 SOBE WATERS $0.99 EACH USED 2 BOGO Q’S

*2 LISTERINE MOUTHWASHES $3.00/EACH USED 2 $2 Q’S

*4 PKGS KEEBLER FUDGE SHOPPE COOKIES $1.99/EACH USED 4 $1 Q’S

2 FRENCH’S MUSTARD $1.49 EACH USED 2 $0.50 Q’S

*2 BOXES BETTY CROCKER BROWNIE MIX $1.38/EACH NO Q’S

2 VELVEETA MAC & CHEESE CUPS $1.19 EACH USED BOGO Q

*1 CHAPSTICK $1.00 NO Q

6 BOXES KRAFT MAC & CHEESE $0.53/EACH USED 1 B3G1F Q

*1 DAISY BRAND SOUR CREAM $1.99 USED 1 $0.50 Q

I PURCHASED 50 OF THE “MEGA DEAL” ITEMS, AND GOT $25 TAKEN OFF OF MY TOTAL. AFTER THE $25 AND ALL OF MY COUPONS, MY TOTAL OOP WAS $37.91!! PLUS…I GOT BACK 2 $1 CATALINA’S FOR THE KLEENEX’S AND A $2 CATALINA FROM THE KRAFT MAC & CHEESE AND A COUPON FOR LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND A COUPON FOR $2 OFF OF ANY MITCHUM PRODUCT!

HOMEMADE BLUEBERRY JELLY…YUMMMMMY!!!

 

   For the past few weeks, I have been scouring the internet for any info I could find on jelly making.  I printed off a few recipes.  I read all of the helpful tips and techniques  from experienced jelly makers.  And yesterday, I finally took the plunge and made my first batch of blueberry jelly!!!  I was a nervous wreck…lol…After narrowing down all of the jelly recipes that I printed off, This is the recipe I used.   I got down to the part where it said “Strain through a jelly bag, reserving 6 cups juice” and started freaking out!!  I strained my berries through a damp flour sack towel because I didn’t have a jelly bag, but I ended up a “little short” of 6 cups of juice.  My mom told me to just add a little water to make it equal the 6 cups.  Now I’m really getting nervous…I’m planning different ways to use all of this “blueberry syrup”  that I’m going to end up with….lol….   I finished up the remaining steps and I had 2 pints more than I was supposed to have.   How did that happen?  I removed all of the jars from the canner and set them on a towel on the counter.  I taped a “TOUCH THEM AND DIE” sign to the counter and I went searching for recipes to use up all of this blueberry syrup…lol…  Fast forward to 24 hours later…while making  toast for breakfast this morning,  this little jar of jelly kept screaming out at me “try me…try me”.  So I tried it.    OMG!!!  This was delicious!!  And it wasn’t syrup…It WAS jelly!!    I’m still not sure how I ended up with 2 extra pints, but I’m glad I did!!  My jelly making experience was a “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED”

My Kroger "Daytona 500" shopping trip

DAYTONA 500 ITEMS

6 packs Oscar Mayer cheese weiners
6 packs Oscar Mayer bun length weiners on sale for $1.38/each used 6 $1.00/2 q's =$0.88 each minus the $0.30/each promo. = $0.58/each (I'll be going back to get some more of these)

3 Hefty gallon size freezer bags @ $1.99 each - 3 $0.55/1 q's (doubles to $1) = $0.99 each minus the $0.30/each promo = $0.69/each (I'll also go back and get some more of these)

1 Country Crock spread $1.99 - $0.55/1 q= $0.99 minus $0.30 promo = $0.69

2 Breyer's ice creams (snickers and reese's yummm) $2.29 each - 2 $1/1 q's = $1.29 ea minus $0.30/each = $0.99/each (edited to add that I forgot to turn these 2 q's in at the register. :( Oh well, gives me an excuse to go and get 2 more...lol...)

8 Kraft BBQ sauce - (donating to girls at work) $0.99/each minus 8 $0.50/1 q's minus $0.30/each = free

Windex multi-surface spray $2.49 minus $0.40/1 = $1.69 minus $0.30 = $1.39

1 Ragu spaghetti sauce $1.58 minus $0.60/1 q = $0.58 minus $0.30 = $0.28

2 Purex laundry detergents $2.49/each minus $0.35/1 q minus $0.30 = $1.49/each


NON DAYTONA 500 ITEMS THAT I PICKED UP

6 J & J Buddies free after q's (donation)
1 head lettuce $0.77
2 Dole Coleslaw mixes $0.99/each
1 pkg. Kroger shredded cheese $1.25 minus $0.45 Kroger store q = $0.80
2 pkgs. Kraft singles $1.47/each minus $1/2 q = $0.97/each (EDITED TO ADD THAT I ALSO FORGOT TO TURN THIS COUPON IN! UGH!!! LESSON LEARNED, DO NOT TRY TO SHOP FOR 2 PEOPLE AT ONCE)
3 bottles of Suave shampoo for men $1.67 minus $0.50/1 q = $0.67/each
8 Reach brand toothbrushes $1.99/each minus 8/$2 q = free
1 pack Kashi brand blueberry waffles Free after MFQ
24 cans Van-Camps pork & beans 2/$1 - q from a recent insert = $0.30/can

OK, I think that's all. I had a total of 88 items.
My MFG coupon savings was $62.41
Bonus coupon savings was $9.82
Store coupon and Kroger Plus savings $56.03.
Total savings (77%) was $128.26.
The round of applause from the people behind me: PRICELESS!!!

TOTAL OOP = $38.75