Walgreens 3/21/09

This is what I got at Walgreen's today.

4 pks of Walgreen brand diapers (2 for $9)

3 pks of Reach floss (3 for $9)

Sambucol (12.99)

Wal-Zyr Allergy med (3.99)

Irish Spring body wash (4.99)

I used an Irish Spring BW free coupon.

$10 EZQ from Wags for Sambucol + $4 printable

$3 off 3 Reach coupon

$20 RR from Huggies deal last week

Total oop: 15.96

Total Savings thru Wag advertised and mfg q's: 57.45

Now that I look closer at me reciept, the floss didn't ring up $3--it rang 4.49/each. And I didn't get the RR for them. So it should have been less I think.

Oh and I will send in the rebate for the allergy meds and those will end up being free.

Menu Plan Monday

This week I did something BOLD and planned meals for TWO weeks!! WOW!! I know in my mind that I do so much better making a menu plan. I don't know why I resist. We spent a lot of money on fast food last week and I KNOW it is because I didn't make a good plan. So this last week, I sat down and made a plan for two weeks.

You might notice that there is a lack of meat in my menu. We are Greek Orthodox and are in the midst of Lent which means fasting from meat and dairy. We do allow dairy. We also eat more fish than is allowed. I could go into all the reasons but that is really between us and our spiritual Father. *grin*

Nothing fancy here...

Monday, the 16th: Tuna and Shells from Rachael Ray

Tuesday, the 17th--St Patrick's Day: Cabbage and potatoes--might try some soda bread too

Wednesday the 18th: French Toast

Thursday, the 19th: Potato soup

Friday, the 20th: Spaghetti

Saturday, the 21st: Chinese take out

Sunday, the 22nd: Pot luck at Church-corn casserole, pbj, corn salsa

Monday, the 23rd: salmon patties, mac/cheese

Tuesday, the 24th: pancakes

Wednesday, the 25th: Fish, Greek Pasta salad

Thursday, the 26th: ramen noodle stir fry

Friday, the 27th: spaghetti

Saturday, the 28th: ?? Older 3 Children will be at a Lenten Retreat so we might do something special with the remaining 5.

To see more Menu Plan Monday, pop over to $5 Dinners who is hosting this weeks round up.

Publix--3/10/09

Quick Publix post for you.

I rarely shop at Publix. The first big trip I did there, the cashier took my q's first and then looked at each on and matched each one with the product on the coupon. It took for.evah. So I was leary of going again but I had those Frosted Flake q's ($1/2) and Publix had the BOGO. I also had 50 cent Banana Nut Cheerio q's (which my Publix doubles) and those are also BOGO. So I braved it again.

They were out of the cheerios. So bummer. And I didn't think to get a raincheck. But as you can see, I got the Frosted Flakes. And threw in some Hellman's which were also BOGO and I had 60 cent coupons for them.

I think I did OK---4 boxes of cereal and 2 mayo for less than $10.

I decided that for me, I will just shop the BOGOs at Publix if I have good q's. Or for double coupon things. Publix prices a quite a bit higher--especially their meat. But double coupons and BOGOs---I am SO there!!

For more Publix Super Savers...check out FiddleDeeDee!!

Walgreens x2

I went to Walgreens twice this week (and might try to go one more time). I laid out my plan and hoped that I wouldn't get any cashier's who would scrutinize every move and coupon.

First trip I purchased:

2 pks of Huggies diapers $10/each

1 pk of wipes $6

1 Irish Spring Body wash 4.49

1 Sambucol Cold and Flu 12.99

1 Walgreens Extra strength headache med. 2.99

Used: 21.75 in coupons

OOP: 27.97

Got $10 RR back; free body wash catalina and will mail in the 2.99 for the Extra strength

The next trip:

1 Irish Spring 4.49

2 20 oz Cokes 1.49 each

1 Axe Men's Shampoo 5.99

1 Sambucol 12.99

3 pks of Huggies 10.00/each

Used: 25.98 in coupons (including the body wash cat. and a BOGO Coke q)

OOP: 34.21

Got another $10 RR for the diaper deal but my Irish Spring didn't roll--that's OK

I will also mail in the 5.99 Axe shampoo

Out of these deals I think the best is the Sambucol. Regular price is 14.99. It is on sale for 12.99. There is a $10 ESQ at walgreens and I had $4 q's. That's a money maker!!!

I have $20 in RR to use this week.

To see what other people did this week at various drugstores...Check out http://thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com/2009/03/drugstore-divas-313.html And be sure to send congrats to new mom Denise over there!!

Using a Coupon Database

In the past few years I have found that I can reduce my grocery bill by using coupons. I also found that using a database like this one at HotCouponWorld is a big help. It took me a little while to get the hang of using it but it is a great tool.

You can search for coupons for a certain item. You can even search by source or store. Searching by store is helpful for those who don't have a lot of stores to choose from and don't want to wade through a lot of information. The coupon database is also helpful in finding where the printable coupons can be found.

You can also trade for coupons that you might need that someone else doesn't. You might wonder why you would want multiple coupons for something. If something that you use is on sale, multiple coupons will help you stockpile that item at a low price. For example, for the last few weeks several stores have had Progresso Soup on sale. Food Lion had it for $1 a can; Walgreens had it for 1.25; even Target had it on sale for 1.40. This is something I stockpile for Lent for my husband's lunch. (He claims that the Lentil soup is THE best he has had. LOL). I had several coupons from inserts that came in my paper and some that friends brought me, plus several printables. I was able to get a bunch of soup for anywhere from 25 cents to $1 a can!!

Speaking of Target and printables, you simply MUST check out the Target Coupon Generator at HotCouponWorld. If you print coupons on-line, you know that some sites print one coupon per page. Or print a coupon on the top and then the bottom has a recipe or ad or something on it. If you print multiple coupons (which you should), you end up with a lot of wasted paper and ink. The Target Coupon Generator prints multiple coupons on one page--you can even print more than one of the SAME coupon!

Using the example of the soup again, let's say that on the Target Coupon Generator there is a soup coupon and I have manufacturer coupons for soup, I can use BOTH at Target. At most stores, you can combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon to get even more savings---pair those with a store sale and you are on your way to really saving!!

There are so many resources out there to help you lower your grocery bill. It is a shame not to use them. I am not as good as some people who might be able to feed their families for less than $50 a week but I am getting better! I think that feeding my family of 10 for less than $100 a week proves that! LOL

While you are at HotCouponWorld using the coupon database and the Target Coupon Generator also check out the many resources that they have complied there for you.

Survey Sites that Pay!!!!

In today's economy, I think we are all finding that every little bit counts! One way to earn a little extra cash or gifts is through online survey sites. If you are like me, you cruise a lot of blogs and see people mention this site or that site but you wonder, "How do I know that I won't get a ton of spam?" or "How do I know this site is legit?" Wouldn't it be nice to have a list of tried and true survey sites? And have that list complied by people you can trust? Well, guess what? Now there is!!

HotCouponWorld has made a list of 19 survey sites!! These sites are legit! They are a good way to earn extra money because they really do pay out! And even better, you won't get bombarded by a ton of spam---although some sites still send a little, you won't be overwhelmed.

Something I have done to help with spam and to keep on top of my surveys is create a separate email (from a free site like GoogleMail or Yahoo) just for surveys.

Not only are online surveys a great way to make money or earn points which can be redeemed for gifts but you might also be chosen to test new products!!

Check out HotCouponWorld's list of recommended survey sites and start earning some cash today!!

CVS 1/27/09

Quick trip to CVS this week.

1 Pert shampoo

5 Gillette Shampoo

1 Blade deoderant

3 Listerine Smart Rinse

2 Mentos

3 Bayer (one was a bonus pack)

2 Kids Throat Cooler

Total before coupons: 66.84

Used Coupons: 16.54

Used ECBs: 50.00

Oop: 1.42

Earned: 37.98

ECBs I have now: 53.06