Bargain Seeker on the Prowl

A fairly good night of shopping at Kroger tonight.

(10) Green Giant Vegetables - 10/$10, used (5) .50/2 coupons (doubled to $1.00/2) = $5.00

(10) Martha White Baking Mixes - 10/$10, used (5) .55/2 coupons (doubled to $1.10/2) = $4.50

(6) Del Monte Fruit Cups - 10/$10, used (3) $1.00/2 coupons = $3.00

(8) Campbell’s Select Harvest Soup - 4/$5.00, used (4) .50/2 coupons (doubled to $1.00/2) = $6.00

(6) Toaster Strudel - 3/7.00, used (6) .35/1 coupons (doubled to .70/1) = $9.80

(1) Dozen of Eggland’s Best eggs - $2.42, used Free coupon = 0

(1) Propel Lemon Water - $1.19, used Free coupon = 0

(3) Nesquik Strawberry Milk - 10/$10, used (3) .50/1 coupons (doubled to $1.00/1) = 0

(1) Fresh Express Salad blend - 10/$10, used (1) $1.00/1 coupon = 0

(1) 9-Lives Cat Food - $3.99, used Free coupon = 0

Total Before Coupons - $61.60

Total After Coupons - $28.30

Total Saved - $33.30

I had SO much fun shopping this evening! I got some really great deals!

Walgreens:

Garnier Fructis Conditioner $2.99 - $2.00 ES coupon - $1.00/1 coupon = -.01

2 Stayfree Maxi Pads $13.98 - $6.99 B1G1 free coupon - $6.00 in-ad coupon = .99

Not pictured: Gallon of milk $3.29 - $3.00 RR = .29

Palmolive $1.79 - $1.00 in-ad coupon - .25/1 coupon = .54

Electrasol $3.49 - $1.50 rebate - $2.50/1 coupon = -.51

(2) 2-liter cokes $3.00 - $3.00 RR = 0

(2) 2 Excedrin ES 100 Ct 2/$10.00 - $5.00 RR - (2) $2.00/1 coupons = $1.00

Total before coupons: 38.54

Total after coupons: $2.30

Kroger:

(2) Tyson Cornish Hens 2/$5.00 - (2) $1.00/1 coupons = $3.00

(6) Kellogg’s Cereal $16.00 - $8.00 at register - (6) $1.00/1 coupons = $2.00

(10) Suave Shampoo/Conditioners 10/$10.00 - (5) .50/2 coupons (doubled to $1.00) = $5.00

(6) Suave Deodorants 6/$6.00 - (6) .55/1 coupons (doubled to $1.10) = -.60

(6) Softsoap hand soap 6/$6.00 - (6) .35/1 coupons (doubled to .70) = $1.80

Total before coupons: $43.00

Total after coupons: $11.20

Subway Shop:

3 Footlong subs

2 medium drinks

Total of $24.97

Total after Subway gift cards received from Coke rewards = 0

Total overall before coupons: $106.51

Total overall after coupons: $13.50

Total Savings: $93.01

Woo Hoo! I do like finding bargains!! Oh and Happy New Year everyone!!

Today was another good day for bargains. Here is what I bought today:

Walgreens:

(4) Red Baron Pizzas: $2.50 each x4 = $10.00

Almay Mascara: $6.99

1/2 gallon milk: $1.89

Subtotal is $18.88

- Almay rebate of $6.99

Used free $25.00 gift card for transferring prescription

Total out of pocket: 0.00

Kroger:

(5) Nesquik Chocolate Milk: $5.00

(2) 64 oz Sunny D: $2.00

Subtotal: $7.00

Less coupons (doubled): $6.10

Total: $1.21 (w/tax)

Rite Aid:

GE Extension Cord: $2.00

Citre Shine Mist: $3.99

Charles Worthington Styler: $6.99

Denta Burst Cleaner: $1.99

Kotex: $3.00

Subtotal: $17.97

Expected rebates: $17.97

Total: Tax only $1.75

Total out of pocket for this shopping trip: $2.96

There are more really great bargains at Rite Aid this week, however my store was out of stock on some of the items. The manager told me he expected a new shipment on Friday, so hopefully I will be able to get back up there for more of the bargains.

Ok, I seem to be worrying a few blogger friends of mine who have emailed me asking if I am okay, due to my ranting about the economy and (stupidity) of all that is going on around us at the moment. I am taking the hint and toning it down a bit.

I would like to express the compassion I am experiencing for the folks who are being affected the most by this crisis, from losing their jobs, higher prices, and feelings of impotency of how to deal with this situation that is indeed new to many whom have never experienced a recession.

I am encouraging those around me to use coupons, shop for deals, create a stockpile of sale items in order to beat out the sales cycle along with planning trips in order to conserve fuel consumption. I am also encouraging yard sale shopping along with seeking out local crafters/artists in order to get better value for their hard-earned money and to help their local economy.

If you have any other suggestions for us as individuals to do in order to cushion the effects of this economy, I would love to hear them. My ranting is finished and I am now on a path of action.

Don’t forget to leave a comment here in order to enter my drawing for 2 free 4 oz homemade soaps!

Wow, I had no idea so many people were interested in what I had to say! I had over 52 emails from people wanting to know where I have been. Thanks guys! It really made my day to see the interest!

To update everyone; I am doing fine, just really busy right now. Me and my friend Michelle are preparing for a craft fair being held in Covington, Tennessee on September 27th. You can read more about the craft fair here. My house smells like a perfume factory blew up inside of it because of making candles, tarts and soap! My friend, Michelle, makes embellishments for scrapbooks and jewelry. Between working, treatments and getting ready for the craft fair, my blog has suffered from neglect.

I have managed to squeeze in a little bit of bargain shopping, too! I found a good deal on ankle socks for my daughter at the Family Dollar Store. They were marked as $1.00 for 2 pair, but rang up as .50 for 2 pair. Even if they only hold up for 6 months, that is a good deal, especially since my daughter is extremely bad about leaving her socks here, there and yonder.

Oh, and me and few people I know formed a local coupon group where we help each other out with locating the best deals in town using coupons. We had our first meeting last Wednesday and we had a blast! Our next meeting is in November where we plan to exchange either homemade gifts or gifts bought with coupons. This will be our Christmas party. Me and the other ladies are really looking forward to doing this.

My heart goes out to all of those who were in the path of Hurricane Ike. The residual effects here has been a rise in gas prices. Initially it went up to $4.20 per gallon, which even when it was at its’ peak during the summer never went over $4.00 per gallon. Thankfully, it is back down to $3.59 at the little store near my house which is probably higher than most other places around here. I am not going to complain (much) about it as I still have my intact home and family.

The weather is getting cooler and I am SO happy about that! It is starting to get chilly enough to wear long sleeves in the morning.

I am thinking of writing a letter to the Feds, letting them know I lost my check at the casino, am going to have to file bankruptcy and ask them to bail me out of the situation (insert sarcasm). *Sigh* accountability means absolutely nothing anymore. Of course the burden will fall onto the shoulders of people, which does not seem very fair to me. (This is my little rant of the day) This cannot bode well for the American people is all I have to say. Of course, I cannot understand taking on MORE debt in order to get out of debt, but what do I know??

Anyway, this brings everyone up to date on the happenings in my life.

Naifeh’s has Boston Butt Pork Roast for $1.19 per lb.

You can pay tax only for Mt Olive Relish (.99) using the .50/1 coupon
from the 08/17 SS insert OR pay 2/$1.00 on the Mt Olive Hamburger Dill Pickles.

Ultra Dawn is tax only (10/$10.00) using the .50/1 coupon from the
08/03 P & G insert.

Bryan hotdogs and sliced bologna is 4/$5.00 and using (2) $1.00/2
coupons from the 08/24 inserts these will be .75 each.

Naifeh’s will:

Here are some of the deals at Walgreens this week:

Dawn Dish Liquid is .99 with sales ad coupon and stack with .50/1 coupon from the P & G booklet this will be .49.

2-pocket folders are .05 with sales ad coupon, limit of 5. (Does anyone actually use these? All of my kid’s lists ask for 3 prong.)

Mini Composition books are .05 ea, limit 4, with sales ad coupon. Hmm, I guess these could be used to keep shopping lists in?

Highlighters (assorted colors) are .05 ea with a limit of 3 with sales ad coupon.

5-pack Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils are .05 ea with sales ad coupon, limit of 3.

Lysol FreshMatic Kit is $9.99 with a $3.00 ES Rebate and using $5.00/1 coupon from the 06/01 SS insert this will be $1.99.

Pilot G2 Gel Ink Pen is FAR this week.

Crayola Washable Markers 8-pack classic, 12-pack Doodling or 20-pack Super Tips are FAR.

No. 2 pencils 10-pack are .19 with sales ad coupon.

White Poster Board is .10 ea with a limit of 5.

Reynolds Wrap is .89 with coupon in sales ad combined with .75/1 coupon from the 06/22 SS insert this will be .14 with a limit of 4.

Bic Comfort 3 Disposable Shavers are $2.99 with sales ad coupon and combine with the $2.00/1 coupon from the 07/20 SS insert these will be .99, limit of 3.

Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner is 2/$8.00. You will receive a $4.00 ES Rebate when you buy 2 plus combine with (2) $2.00/1 coupons from the 07/06 P & G insert, these will be free.

FAR this month is TheraBreath Starter Kit up to $10.99.

Herbert’s Fully Loaded Chocolate Bars 2.75 oz up to .99 is FAR.

Nature Made RX Essentials 30 or 60 pack up to $9.99 is FAR plus use a $1.00/1 coupon from the 06/01 SS insert and this is a money-maker item.

Johnson’s Baby Lotion (27 oz)  is $5.99 ea. When you buy 3 you get back $5.00 in RR plus using (3) $1.00/1 coupons from the 04/27 RP insert and (3) ES $1.00/1 coupons these will be 3/$6.97.

I did a bit of bargain shopping this weekend and here is the result:

Walmart:

Kotex - $1.00

Bundinos - $1.50

Rolaids (3) - $4.71

Farmland ham (3) - $8.64

Sub-Total at Register: 15.85

After coupons and rebate on Bundinos: $3.85

Dollar General Store:

I found this 16 qt stock pot marked half price so sub-total at register was $4.00.

Rite Aid:

Crest Toothpaste - $2.49

Venus razor - $7.99

LypSyl - .99

Tag deo - $2.99

Infusium shampoo - $4.99

Herbal Essences Shampoo & Conditioner - $5.00 (for both)

Sub-Total at register: $24.45

After coupons and expected rebates: $1.98

Walgreens:

Bic Soleil razor - $5.99

Refreshing Reeds (reed diffuser) (2) - $5.00

Sub-Total at register - $10.99

After RR used and coupons: $2.99

Kroger:

Lawry’s Marinades (5) - $5.00

Hunts Ketchup (2) - $2.00

Stayfree (2) - $5.00

Luzianne tea - $1.50

*not pictured: Pom Tea - $1.49

*not pictured: Rice Krispies w/strawberries - $3.99

*not pictured: Tobasco - $1.59

Sub-Total at register: $20.57

After double coupons and rebate on Rice Krispies: $5.08

Sub-Total spent after coupons and rebates at all stores: $17.90, with a savings of $61.96.

Coke products (12-packs) are 5/$12.00 with an additional $10.00 purchase.

Hunts Ketchup 24 oz squeeze bottle is 8/$8.00 and using the .20/1 coupon which will be doubled to .40/1 from the 06/22 SS insert, these will be .60 per bottle.

Kraft Salad Dressing is 3/$5.00. Purchase 6 and use (3) $1.00/2 coupons from the 06/15 SS insert and these will be approximately $1.17 ea.

Reddi Whip is 2/$4.00 and using (2) $1.00/1 coupons from the 06/22 SS insert these will be $1.00 per can.

A1 Steak Sauce is 2/$5.00 and using (2) $1.00/1 coupons from the 06/15 SS insert this will be 2/$3.00.

KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce is 2/$3.00 and using (2) .25/1 coupons (which will be doubled to .50/1) from the 06/08 RP insert these will be 2/$2.00.

I know I am late on posting some of the better deals for groceries, however I started chemotherapy this week and have just been so tired. Here are the better Kroger Deals that are good until Tuesday, July 8, 2008.

The first thing I notice is the Danish Pork Ribs for $1.27 per pound, sold in 10 lb boxes for $12.70 each. Quite frankly, I looked at these and they look just awful with very LITTLE meat. All of the ribs at Kroger looked pretty sad this week. : (

Lawry’s Marinade is 10/$10.00 and using .50/1 coupons from the 05/18 RP insert (for each one) makes these tax only.

Stayfree Maxi-Pads are 2/$5.00 and using B1G1 Free coupon from the 06/29 RP these are 2/$2.50.

Coke products (12-packs) are 5/$12.00 when using your Kroger card.

The Daytona 500 deal where you receive $3.00 off at the register when you purchase 10 qualifying products is not that great this time. There are no coupons to match up with the products to make this a great deal. If you are in NEED of any of the items this might be a good deal for you. Buy 10 of the Banquet Sausages for $10.00 and receive $3.00 off at the register and these will be .70 ea. (I stocked up on Tennessee Pride sausage a couple of weeks ago during that deal.)

I have noticed several items in the produce section being marked down to bargain prices as well as a lot of items on the clearance shelf.

Price of milk went up again. I buy 2% and here are the prices:

Turner Dairy 2% gallon is $5.27. (Not exactly sure on this price but it is very close)

Kroger 2% gallon is $4.13.

Kroger 2% half-gallon is $2.37.

Maybe next week will be better.