Budget Update

Still no word on the apartment so for now (crossing my fingers something opens up) here is the updated $100/2 week budget in which I get paid this Friday (2/12/10):

Money spent 1/29/10-02/10/10:
Subtotal before coupons: 108.32
Coupons/RR: (32.42)
Discounts: (7.78)
Taxes paid: 9.30
Total OOP: 77.42
Left to spend (until 02/12/10):
$22.58 in cash
$16.50 in RR (Walgreens)
$13.00 in ECBs@CVS

Walgreens Addict...I Believe

I didn't realize I liked Walgreens as much as I do. I used to be addicted to food buys at Homeland but now I realize more and more of my trips are to "Wags." I hope to find a balance at some point but for now I am enjoying it. I made my trip to Walgreens today and yesterday so how did I do? Well, no pic to post (mostly because I am too lazy this evening) but I did get $46.78 in retail items for $15.71. Not great but not bad. Here's the scoop:

2 Colgate Max Toothpaste 2.99 ea - .75/1 Q = 2.24 (receive $2 RR ea)
3 Thermacare Heat Wrap Neck/Arm 2.49 - $1/1IP = 1.49 (receive $2.50 RR)
3 Tresemme Shampoo/Conditioner 3/$12 (receive $5 RR)
2 Windex Spray Items 2/4.29 (B1G1 Free) - $1/1 Q (x2) = 1.15 ea
1 Tuf Trash Bags 2.99

Note: I did another transaction but used my FSA card to get 2 Triaminic and 1 Thermacare Wrap which is not part of my $100 budget but it got me an additional $7.50RR. : )
Breakdown:
Subtotal before coupons: 46.78
Coupons/RR: (22.50)
Discounts: (11.77)
Taxes paid: 3.20
Total OOP: $15.71
Total Savings $34.27 (73.3%)
Left to Spend (until 01/15/10)
$11.78 in cash
$22.00 in RR
$7.00 in ECBs @ CVS

New Year...New Me

I decided that with the new year I would stick to my budgeting plans for 2010. What are those plans? Well, most of the plan includes me only spending $100 every two weeks for food/household items. This averages $50/week but with coupon shopping we all know that there are some weeks that are good and some bad. That being said as long as I remain within my budget for the two weeks I will be happy. I downloaded a new coupon savings spreadsheet from a fellow blogger and will be using this to track my progress. The one I used last year was a good one but this one is a bit more simplified so with my adjustments (like wanting to track how much I spend on items vs. tax I think I am good to go). So, how have I done so far? Well, that post is coming up next. : )

Homeland Shopping 03/01/09

All of the above cost me $34.68 after tax (this was 122.66 before tax and coupons/sales).

This was mostly my pre-planning I listed in an earlier blog plus a couple of extra items.
Items not noted anywhere else in this blog are:

Formula 409 2.50SP - 1.00 MQ (todays paper) = 0.50 ea

Amount remaining for March $80.93 (I will have to deduct about $12 once I repay a friend for some chicken she bought me at Sam's this weekend. I would have needed it this month anyway). It was $1.97/lb.

I still need to buy some trash can liners, light bulbs, and some dog food so we are going to be using most of our budget VERY early this month!!! Good thing I have another $5/25 purchase coupon that is good on 03/11/09. I checked Homeland's circular (came in the mail yesterday) and it is slim pickings on coupon savings for my family next week so that will help since I don't need to be spending anyway...~~WHEW~~

Homeland Mini Shopping Trip...02/25/09

What can you get for $4.47 after tax??? All the above.


2 Hellmann's Light Mayo 2.99 SP - $1/1 IP = 0.99 ea
1 Dole Romaine Salad Mix 3.19 Reg P - 2.19 (reduced) = 1.00
1 Fritos 2.00 SP (needed for dinner)
1 Roma Tomato for salad 0.24 Reg Price
3 Del Monte 50% Less Salt Veggies 1.35 Reg P - 0.75/1 IP = FREE
3 Kotex Liners 1.29 Reg P - 0.75/1 MQ = FREE
6 Campbell's Cream Soups 1.00 SP - $1/2 IP = FREE

In total I got 17 items for $4.47...not bad.
Add in the $1.00 off your next shopping order catalina that was on one of the closed self checkouts on my way out the door after one of my transactions (my 2 year old stumbled across it) and you have a pretty great deal!


Don't know if anyone noticed this or not but I have a TON of Kotex Pantiliner coupons that I need to use by 03/07/09 (somewhere around 30). One problem with buying coupons on Ebay is that you have to be committed to actually go to the store that many times within the expiration period. It is harder than you think. I have made several trips to buy pantiliners and I am almost half way done with my stack. I figured I would buy them and then donate some to the W.I.S.H. (Women in Safe Homes) in my town but oh my gosh is this more work than I realized! I am still dedicated though...

Money left for February $3.36

Planning for Homeland Trip on Sunday 03/01/09

In the past I have always shown what I am have purchased but since I had the time and got my circular early I am going to post the things that I will be buying this weekend at my Homeland. Hope this helps to everyone wanting to plan their shopping trip early! (I will update this particular blog as I find more deals worth noting)

HOMELAND:
Cascade Action Packs 3.99 SP - $1/1 P&G Mailer or $1/1 Feb P&G MQ = 1.99 ea
Keebler Sandies Cookies 3.00 SP - $1/1 IP= 1.00 ea *
Frito Chips/Bean Dips 2.00 SP - $1/2 (not dbld) store catalina = 3.00 (1 chip and 1 dip)
Ronzoni Bistro 2.45 SP - $1/1 IP = 0.45 *
Ronzoni Bistro 2.45 SP - B1G1 Free (comb w/above) = FREE
Egglands Cage Free Eggs Doz 1.99 SP - .50/1 MQ = 1.00
Hellman's Light Mayo 2.99 - $1/1 IP = 0.99 (GREAT Deal) **
Kotex Lightdays Liners 1.29 Reg P - .75/1 MQ = FREE
Post Cereal 1.67 ea - $1/2 MQ = .67 ea
Chex Mix 1.69 SP - $1/1 IP = FREE *
Hiland Butter Sticks 1.69 SP (just a good deal)
Era Laundry Detergent 3.99 SP (just a good deal)
Borden Cheese Slices 1.59 (just a good deal)
Campbell's Cream Soups 1.00 SP - $1/2 IP = FREE ***
Del Monte 50% Less Salt Veggies 1.35 RP - 0.75/1 IP = FREE ***
Rubbermaid Containers 2.31 Clearanced - $1/1 IP = 0.31 ****

*I looked but these coupons are not availabe for Internet Printing anymore...
** Got this off of http://www.afullcup.com/ under the Homeland Forum for this weeks timeframe
*** Got this off of http://www.moneysavingmom.com in one of her blog notations this week
****I think this is at www.rubbermaid.com (I will ty to post the exact location later)

This is what I have found so far. I may be doing multiples of the cookies and cascade since I have the extra coupons. I try to send the cookies overseas to my brother and the dish soap is always a necessity. I also have a $5/$25 transaction so I will get as much as I can for this amount. I have another one that is good starting 3/11 so I am excited about this. I seem to get these coupons 1-2 times per year and its always like Christmas when I do. I think I do enough business at Homeland using my One Card so they mail them to me. I also love when I get coupons in the mail from Braums. I still have hamburger meat leftover as well as a bit of chicken so we should be good to go. Always could use more so I hope to find some marked down... :)

Homeland and Walgreens Shopping...02/24/09

Items Not Pictured (as usual): 1 can sliced mushrooms, 1 can black olives, 2 cans crescent rolls, 1 2-liter Pepsi, 1 half gallon chocolate milk, 1 fresh zucchini

I went to the store in 4 transactions to get the above. Here is the breakdown of the prices I paid:

HOMELAND:
Sara Lee Bread 1.79 SP (bought for trxn below)
Hiland Half Gallon Chocolate Milk 1.69 SP -1.00 Tearpad Q (comb w/bread) = 0.69
Chex Mix 1.69 SP - $1/1 IP = FREE
Country Bob's 1.99 SP - Free Coupon in Mail = FREE
Aquafresh Toothpaste 1.00 SP - .75/1 IP = FREE
Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup 1.00 SP - $1/2 = FREE
Ronzoni Bistro Pasta 2.45 SP - $1/1 IP = FREE
Ronzoni Bistro Pasta 2.45 SP - B1G1 FREE (comb w/above)= FREE
Lightdays Pantiliners 1.29 Reg P - .75/1 MQ = FREE
Dawn Soap 1.99 Reg P - $1/1 P&G Mailer = FREE
Cascade Rinse Aid 3.69 Reg P - FREE P&G Mailer = FREE
Keebler Cookies 2.50 SP - $1/1 IP = 0.50
Olives 1.49 Reg P (needed them for dinner- new recipe)
Sliced Mushrooms (canned) 1.29 Reg P (recipe)
Borden Shredded Cheese 2.49 SP (recipe)
Daisy Sour Cream 1.00 SP (just needed)
Nabisco 100 Cal Oreo Cakesters 2.50 SP - $2/2 = 1.50 ea
Hormel Pepperoni 1.00 SP - .35/1 MQ = 0.30
Crescent Rolls 2.47 SP (reduced down for dating) = 0.99
Earthgrains Wheatberry Bread 2.59 SP - .55/1 MQ = 1.49
Fresh Zucchini 0.84 (recipe)
Williams Chili Seasoning 1.00 SP - .25/1 MQ = 0.50
Pepsi 1.25 SP (hubby wanted)

WALGREENS:
2 pkgs Huggies Diapers 11.49 ea or 2/20.98 - $2/1 for each pkg = 8.49 ea

(I will be so happy when we are finally potty trained)

My Dad Loves Me!

I went to Homeland today to meet my dad since we were having a family dinner at their house and like always there are a few 'last minute' items to pick up. While waiting for him to arrive I wanted to go ahead and make use of my $6.03 that I had left since I had the time. So, I looked around and picked up a few things, paid, took them to the car, and decided to come back in and fill up again using my coupons. I decided to go ahead and dip into my February money I debated and although some may disagree I was completely okay with it...I would rather make use of the time rather than make a separate drive back out later with my almost 3 year old in tow. Anyways, I got the following:

So, the great thing about this is that I paid for my first transaction of almost $7.00 (I went over just a hair but under $1.00)--will fill in the exact amount as soon as I remember where I put that silly receipt. :) The second transaction I had all ready to go (complete with Pull-ups and Goldfish crackers...that mysteriously ALWAYS go missing from my pictures...) and then my dad proceeded to tell me that groceries were free for daughters today...isn't that soooo sweet!!! The total of the items he bought me ended up being $22.20 ($11.00 of which was the stinkin' Pull-ups). The breakdown of the receipt is that I/he saved $30.35 (60% off). I am not including this in my monthly total as it was a gift even with my coupons.

Chinet Plates SP 2.50 - $1/1 IP= 0.50

Pillsbury Savorings SP 2.99 - $1/1 IP= .99

Farm Rich Battered Mushrooms SP 5.99 - $1/1 MC= 3.99 (I LOVE these but they are usually 8.19!!!)

Pepperidge Farm Bread SP 2.50 - $1/1 IP= 0.50

OR Popcorn SP 1.66 - $1/1 IP= FREE

Olay Ribbons Body Wash SP 2.99 - $1/1 MC= .99

Kotex Lightdays RP 1.29- $.75/1= FREE

Ocean Spray Light SP 2.50 - $1/1 IP= 0.50

Puffs SP 1.00- $0.25/1= 0.50

There were a couple of other things that he paid for but I sent home with him even though I used the coupon. Its about helping everyone out so I am so thankful that he did unexpectedly. I am now only a few cents over my budget although I was already planning to dip into February Money!

Homeland In The Snow/Freezing Rain/Ice!!!

I was at work today with all the Snow (err..freezing rain/ice) that fell here in Oklahoma and headed home when I remembered that Homeland had Hamburger Meat on Sale for $1.69/lb!!! So, (it was already on the way I swear) I stopped in to pick up a few pounds for freezing. Not a lot because my budget said "no" but I got what I needed until I find it again. So, here's what I got:


Item Missing: 12pk Dr. Pepper (this always happens when I do pics)

Breakdown OOP 12.84; Savings 23.82
3lbs Hamburger Meat @ 1.69lb
Colgate Toothpaste SP 1.50 -.75 MC (x2)= FREE!
LD Crispy Treats SP 1.45-.55 IP (x2)= .35
Suave Shamp/Cond SP 1.00ea- 1.00/2 MC (x2)= FREE!
Raisins 14 mini pkgs SP 1.00ea- 1.00/2 MC (x2)= FREE!
Fiber Plus Bars SP 2.00-.75 IP (x2)= .50
BC Scalloped Potatoes SP 1.00- .40 IP (x2)= .20
TGIF Spinach Dip SP 3.95-1.50 Catalina Coupon= 2.45
12pk Dr. Pepper SP 2.96

I always feel like I have to justify each purchase so I bought the pop for storage at my desk at work (canned pop is .65 ea) and lately I have been having crazy Dr. Pepper cravings (NOT pregnant) but this will still save me money vs. "the machine." The TGIF was a complete impulse buy but at least I had a coupon. I am a sucker for Alfredo based Spinach Dip and with our budget there is not much eating out so I am satisfying a craving without experiencing 2 year old at a restaurant issues (you all know what I mean- I used to wait tables and OH the stories). I think the raisins would be a good Valentines Day Party treat for my lil' mans 2 year old daycare class and at FREE, why not? The crispy treats at 0.35 will get shipped overseas in my brothers Valentines Day Care Package. Part of having is giving, right?

Money Spent for January: 118.97
Money left in Budget for January: 6.03 (only 4 days to go!!)

$6.03 Left...4 Days To Go...Can I Make It???

I ran by the store today to pick up some Hamburger Meat as discussed previously as well as a 12pk of Dr. Pepper (not usually a HUGE pop drinker) but at $0.65 per can at work I thought I'd better go ahead and get it while it was on sale. After tallying todays spend (above) I am down to $6.03 in my budget to last me the next 4 days. This wouldn't be too bad except that when I got home my hall light and spare bedroom light bulbs burned out and of course I went to get new ones from the storage area to find out that....I'm out. Dang the luck! I also forgot to pick up the dish detergent which was not a good thing. We are having an ice storm here so if I get stuck in tomorrow I will either have to load the presoaked dishes to await the soap or wash them all by hand...well, I do have some old styrofoam plates as well as Chinet plates so maybe we can use those instead. :) I did okay on the items I bought becaue they were mostly free but the big ticket items (Dr. Pepper 12pk, Hamburger Meat, and the impulse buy Spinach Dip (I had a coupon though!!)) brought my total to $12.84.

No more shopping for me unless it is light bulbs but I think they can wait until Sunday when I get my next months budget started (I borrowed bulbs from the bedroom light fixture which was a bit bright anyway). I have some Hellman's Mayo Coupons that expire on the 31st so I will be debating this purchase (better to stay under budget or to stock up when a coupon expires?). I will wait to debate this one amongst myself.

Homeland and Walgreens Shopping...

I am so happy I have wonderful Homeland and Walgreens Stores in Muskogee! I can get soo many great deals there! Today I was able to pick up all of these items for $18.01. Not quite so happy for me? Well, considering the Huggies and TP purchases (wish we had a Kroger) it was GREAT! See below for the breakout!

Walgreens OOP $15.23

2 Cottonelle TP Sale w/WG coup 2.50 -.50 ea pk= 2.00 ea

Milk on sale 2.79

Huggies Pullups on sale 9.99 - 2.00 sunday coupon -1.00 catalina*=6.99

*My WG accidentally marked it early (starts tomorrow) so they let me do it. We have a VERY nice mgr :)

Homeland OOP $2.78!!!!!

2 Egg Beaters 3.29 on sale 2.29- 1.00/1 (dbld) = 0.29 Get Here!

Wholly Salsa 3.49 on sale 1.50 - 1.00/1 (dbld) = FREE Get Here!

2 Toaster Strudel 2.79 on sale 1.99 - 1.00/1 (dbld) =FREE Get Here! (expired now)

2 Healthy Choice 4.09 on sale 1.99 - 1.00/1 (dbld)= FREE Get Here!

Birdseye Vegs 2.09 on sale 1.00 - .35/1 (dbld)= 0.30 Sun Coup

Splenda 2.99 - 3.00/1 =FREE Get Here!

Kotex Lightdays 1.29- 0.75/1 (dbld)= FREE Sun Coup

Softsoap 1.59 clear 1.31 - 0.50/1 (dbld) = 0.31 Sun Coup

I will be trying to do a few more of these deals (as my coupons allow) from Homeland until the new ad comes out!

Homeland Savings 1/11/09

One item missing from the picture above- one package of Wholly Salsa. This always seems to happen around here! So, here is what I got for $5.12!!!!

8 cans Red Gold Tomatoes ($0.74 ea. -$1.00/4 coupons purchased off Ebay)

3 pkgs Wholly Salsa (Mgr Special $1.49 less $1.00/1 (dbld)) Get Here!

3 pkgs E.L. Fudge Keebler Cookies ($1.74 less $1.00/1 (dbld))

4 pkgs Lightdays Pantiliners 22ct. ($1.29 less $0.75/1 (dbld)) Get Here!

Campbells Select Harvest Soup ($2.64 less FREE coupon got on cell phone)

Era Laundry Detergent (Originally $5.99 but erroneously posted as $2.79!!!)

Rubbermaid Premier 1.25 cup container (clearanced to $2.31 less $1.00/1 (dbld)) Get Here!

3 lbs. Mild Yellow Onions (regular 2.49 on sale for $1.14 filler item)

I did 4 separate transactions to get the items but it was well worth it for an after tax total of $5.12!!!

I have been doing the Rubbermaid Coupon, Red Gold Coupon, Lightdays Coupon, and Keebler coupons for the most part this week so that is where a good portion of my spend has been! Those Rubbermaid Containers are $15.00 at Walmart for a set of just a few so $0.31 for one is GREAT!!!

I'm Still Here...Homeland Updates

I have been quite busy in the past month so I am sorry! I have gotten some great deals but with everything that I have going on (work, family, holidays...the usual) I have not been posting. There are a few deals that I have gotten at Homeland in the past month and some that I am looking forward to doing this week (post holiday). Here are the pre and post holiday deals I have had/been working on.

Pre-Holiday Homeland:
Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta (FREE-coupons purchased on Ebay)
Red Gold Diced Tomatoes (FREE)
Kelloggs 12 ct Pop Tarts (.54 after sale and coupon)
Bertolli Pasta Sauce (1.31 clearance one and 2.19 reg ones)
Keebler Cookies (.99 after sale and coupon)

Post-Holiday Homeland:
Welch's Juice (.50 coupons from Ebay)
Continue Ronzoni Deal- Stockpile
Continue Red Gold Deal- Stockpile
Continue Bertolli Deal- Stockpile a few and hope for a sale!
Wait for another Keebler Deal

I will hopefully have another update soon! Keeping an eye out for the deals!

Homeland Buys 11/09/08

I love my Homeland! Okay, so I left a couple of things out of the pic again...family food/usage. Here is what's left out: 1 bag Chex Mix Snack Mix (2yr old found them), 1 Jumbo Bag Huggies Diapers, 1 Box Stove Top Stuffing Mix, and 1 can Hunt's Diced Tomatoes.

Kraft Bagel-fuls on sale 2.35 ea - $1/1 (dbld) = 0.35 internet

Kellogg's family size cereal on sale 2.74 ea - $1/1 (dbld) = 0.74 internet

Progr. Broth on sale 1.49 ea - .50/1 (dbld)= 0.49 internet

Welch's Juice on sale 3.09 ea - $1/1 (dbld) = 1.09 Sunday Coupons

Knorr Sides on sale 1.39 ea - .60/1 (dbld) = 0.19 www.knorr.com

Chex Mix on sale 1.49 ea - .60/1 (dbld) = 0.29 internet

Chex Cereals on sale 1.84 ea - $1/2 (dbld) = 0.84 ea Sunday Coupons

Carnation Ev. Milk 0.83 ea - $1/2 (dbld) = FREE (no overage just $1.66 off)

Huggies Diapers 10.99 ea - $1/1 (dbld) = 8.99 not great but needed them

Bread, Stove Top, Bertolli's Alfredo, and Hunt's were all on sale but no significant savings.

So, in total I bought $151.82 (pre-tax) worth of goodies for $38.58 (post tax)...not bad.

Weekend Update 11/2/08

I stopped at Homeland this weekend and got some good deals on the above items. Here's the breakout:

Bagelfuls on sale 2.00 less 1.00 coupon doubled= FREE (better than last week)
Kraft Cheese clearanced out at 0.99 no coupons (was 2.91 originally)
Chex Mix $2.00 used 0.50 coupon doubled= 1.00
Ekrich Sausage 2/5.00 -1.00/2 (dbld) =3.00
Welch's Juice 64oz reg 4.39 on sale 3.09 less 1.00 coupon (dbld)=1.09
Era on sale 3.50 (cheaper than Walmart) so I got it
Biz on sale 5.39 less 1.00 coup (dbld)= 3.39 still not too bad and we needed it
Meat near sale date so it was on sale saved 1.19 on it
Lever 2000 was 2.39 less 1.00 coup (dbld)= 0.39

So, I bought $50.32 in items and paid $20.86 (considering $6.89 of that was detergent I needed this wasn't too bad).

Historical Items up to 11/1/08

I started my tallying about a week ago before starting this blog so in the last week here is what I have gotten so far. I make multiple trips to the store by my preference as the stores are not out of my way. We have eaten/used a few items so the items missing from the picture are:

Breyers Yogurt Crunch (reduced item due to date), French's Yellow Mustard Squeeze bottle, Yoplait Yo-Plus Yogurt Pack, 2 packs of Kraft Bagel-fuls, Hiland 8oz French Onion Dip (reduced item due to date), Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent, 2 pkgs Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers, Northern 9pk Toilet Paper, 2 pkgs Twix Mini Candies (Halloween), and Lifesaver Gummies candy (Halloween). I realize most of the items are missing but after a week things are bound to start being used. I will try to be better about the pics later.

This gets you up to date with what I have and where my OOP (out of pocket) has gone to. Diapers are a big portion of my spend and even with coupons they are still pretty expensive. I dropped about $14.00 on these two packs after coupons and a discount. Details on the savings will come with future blogs but all the above items cost me $43.02 after discount, coupons, etc. I have the detail just not listed here.

No rebates for any of these items but I did get a Catalina coupon for the 2 Twix which I used on the Lifesaver Candy. The real savings came from the Kelloggs Cereal which ended up being $0.66 a box and the Bagel-fuls were $0.35 a box (free this week so my last two coupons will go there). These were from Homeland Grocery Store. There were no coupons used on the Toilet Paper but it was a necessity item.