What is in my cart?

Take a peek in to my shopping cart!
Would you like to know just what is in my grocery cart this week? Follow me to see the exact things I buy and how I get the prices so low, and even free! I will match up items from the weekly circulars with available coupons, using fabulous websites like Southern Savers, Hip2Save, I Heart Publix, and more.

Publix Trip 3/16/11

Here is what I plan on shopping for tomorrow at the start of the new Publix ad. I really love Publix!

4 x Oscar Mayer Beef Franks (BOGO) $2.19
4 x Oscar Mayer Turkey Franks $2.79
- 4 x $1 off 2 Oscar Mayer Hotdogs Target.com PRINTABLE
- 4  x Buy one Oscar Mayer Beef Franks get one Turkey Frank Free printable cookingwithkraft.com
- 4 x $1 off Publix Produce when you buy 16 oz Oscar Mayer meat
Pay $0.76 for 8 ($0.09 each)

10 x Muellers Pasta (BOGO) $0.67
- 10 x Muellers Pasta printable (register to receive a link to print)
Profit $3.25

5 x Vigo Saffron Rice (BOGO) $0.64
- 5 x $0.50 off one printable (doubles to $1)
Profit $1.78

2 x Poise Pads or Liners $3.19 regular price
- 2 x $3 off Poise Publix Green Advantage Flier
- 2 x $2 off Riteaid Video Values coupons riteaid.com
- 2 x $2 off one Pads or Liners printable
Profit $7.62

1 x Sundown Naturals Vitamins $3.29 (Buy any that are $4.50 or less to make it free)
1 x Sundown Naturals Vitamins $3.89
- 2 x $6 off two Publix Green Advantage Flier
- 2 x $1 off one Sundown Naturals printable
Profit $0.82

Silk Soy Milk $2.50
- $1 off printable
Pay $1.50

Produce:
1 Bag of Golden Delious Apples $3.69
2 Pears $1.28
Bananas $1.57

Lenders Bagels $2.19

Breyers Ice Cream $2.75

Lance cookies $0.55

Use $5 off $25 CVS printable and $2 Riteaid Video Values

Total Before Coupons: $58.01
Total Publix Coupons:  $12.00
Total Competitor Coupons: $15.00
Total Manufacture Coupons: $37.16

Total OOP $3.75 (including tax)

Somehow though, the cashier missed All of my muellers coupons. So my total would have been negative anyway, but still… thats an extra $6.25. So if you happen to duplicate this trip, just make sure that they use all your coupons!

Publix 3/7/11 Trip

The trip today ended up a good bit, and some overage! I also got a gas card for pretty cheap using overage, which I will promptly hand over to my husband, since I am blessed to not have to drive much since Publix is right around the corner from us.

2 x Tostitos Chips, BOGO $3.99 ($1.99)
- 2 x $0.55 Manufacture
Pay $2.89

7 x Sargento Shredded Cheese $2.00
- 3 x $1 off 2 manufacture
- 7 x $1.50 printable
Pay $0.50

6 x Yoplait Yo Plus Yogurt $1.00
- 6 x $0.50 manufacture (doubles to $1)
Pay $0!

Finish Dishwasher tablets $2.99
- $0.50 printable (doubles to $1)
- $1 Riteaid printable
– $1 Bilo Catalina
Pay $0!

2 x Pedigree treats $1.50
- 2 x $2 manufacture
Profit $1

Publix Milk $3.69

Cereal Deal:
2 x Chex cereal $2.50
- 2 x $0.75 printable
- $1 in ad coupon
2 x Cheerios $2.50
- 2 x $0.75 printable
- $1 off 2 in ad coupon
Raincheck:
4 x Cinnamon Toast Crunch $1.99
- 4 x $0.55 printable
Use 3 $1.50 off GM Cereal Target printable
Pay $6.26 for 6 boxes of cereal

Raincheck:
Country Crock Butter $1.05
- $0.40 (doubles to $0.80) printable
- $0.50 Target printable
Profit $0.25

2 x Yoplait Kids Yogurt $2
- x $0.50 (doubles to $1) printable
- $2 yellow Publix flier coupon
Pay $0!

(Items not on list, but my little guy was being so well-behaved and he asked. I caved lol one reason NOT to take kids to store with you!)
Publix Jumbo Ice cream Cones $1.69
Publix Ice cream $2.99
Lance cookies $0.55

Use $4 off $20 CVS printable
Use $2 off Riteaid Coupon

Total Before Coupons: $61.91
Total Publix Coupons: $18.00
Total Competitor Coupons: $11.50
Total Manufacture Coupons: 20.20

Total OOP $12.31 ($12.66 with tax)

33 items for $0.37 each ($0.38 if include tax)
So, that really killed my $0.25 cent challenge but, watching my toddler consume that ice cream cone like he had never had one before was so worth it. Sometimes, its the simple things in life that make it all worth the hassle.

Raincheck:
4 x Centrum vitamins 25 % off $5.50
- 4 x $3 off printable
- 4 x $2 Publix green flier
Pay $2.00

2 x Sundown vitamins $2.99
- 2 x $1 printable
- 2 x $3 Publix green flier
Profit $4.01

BP Gas Card $50.00
- $10 in ad coupon
Pay $40.00

Use $4 Cvs Coupon
Use $2 Riteaid Video Values Coupon

Total Before Coupons: $77.98
Total Manufacture Coupons: $14.00
Total Store Coupons: $24.00
Total Competitor Coupons: $6.00

Total OOP $31.99 before tax  (I cant find my receipt! So I don’t know what the tax was)

My husband was really excited about the cheap gas card and the vitamins! He actually asked me to go shopping so I could get another cheap card for him! So, I guess I will see what other kind of deals I can come up with this weeks ad.

Please leave a comment or link to your saving post on your couponing adventure this week!

Publix Trip 3/1/11

Todays trip HAD to be one of the best shopping trips I have had in a while, just because of the amount of savings. I have definatly had better cost per item trips but wow even the receipt was almost as tall as me!

6 x Marie Callender Frozen, BOGO $3.49 ($1.75)

2 x Pepperidge Farm Bread, BOGO $3.89 ($1.95)

2 x Salad Express, BOGO $3.99 ($1.99)

2 x Sundown Vitamens D-400 $2.99

2 x Sundown Vitamens A $3.29

Colgate Total Toothpaste $2.39

Centrum Vitamens 25% off, $5.24

4 x Jergens Lotion 2 oz 25% off, $1.60

8 x Muellers Pasta, BOGO $1.35 ($0.67)

12 x Hunts Diced Tomatos, BOGO $1.35 ($0.67)

8 x Green Giant Vegetables, BOGO $1.29 ($0.64)

Publix Bakery Italian Bread $1.49

2 x Silk Almond Milk $2.50

Raincheck:
10 x Bertolli Sauce, BOGO $2.89 ($1.44)

4 x Mentos candy $0.50

Publix Eggs $1.59

2 x Strawberries $1.67

Granny Smith Apples 3 lbs bag $4.49

Brocolli $2

Total Before Coupons: $97.93
Total Publix Coupons: $40.82
Total Competitor Coupons: $14.00
Total Manufacture Coupons: $41.60

Total OOP $1.51 ($3.91 after tax)
for 70 items!
So thats $0.02 cents per item!

Have I told you lately that I love <3 Publix?

Photos and coupon details coming soon…

Publix Trip 2/20/11

Here is my 12 cents worth… literally!

For some reason my receipt is showing -45 cents on sales tax… not sure why, there is food tax listed on there too. Im going to ask my store about it on my next trip.

20 x Green Giant Vegetables, BOGO $1.29 ($0.65)
- 5 x $1 off 4 Publix printable
- $5 off 20 Publix printable
Pay $2.90

12 x Bertolli Pasta Sauce, BOGO $2.89 ($1.44)
- 6 $1 off 2 Target printable
- 6 $1.50 off 2 manufacture
Pay $2.28

Use $5 off $30 Cvs printable

Total Before Coupons: $30.24
Total Publix Coupons: $10.00
Total Competitor Coupons: $11.00
Total Manufacture Coupons: $9.00

Total OOP $0.24 (before tax)
minus mystery tax break…$0.45-, paid $0.12

32 items for $0.12, thats $0.003 cents per item!
This HAS to be my all time best price per item at Publix!

Waffles! I smell waffles!

Donkey: We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning, I’m making waffles!

Donkey: Ooh, charades! I see a chocolate waffle with cinnamon swirls.

Shrek: There’s a stack of freshly made waffles in the middle of the forest! Don’t you find that a wee bit suspicious?

Donkey: And I thought the waffle fairy was just a bedtime story!

 

 

 

 

My sons favorite character in the Shrek movie series is Donkey, who has a strange love for waffles. Not that loving waffles is strange, just that a donkey that loves waffles is strange. Sometimes, waffles and pancakes are the only thing my four year old wants to eat. While I dont mind making waffles or pancakes, I do not like having to clean the Belgium waffle maker every morning. So, heres my easy peasy way of avoiding that, while satisfying my familys love of waffles and pancakes.

Items needed:

A waffle iron, or for pancakes a large skillet or griddle (if you dont have one, check craigslist, ebay, amazon for cheap deals)
Krusteaz Pancake Mix (you can buy this in 10 lb bags at Walmart for about $7, or just stock up when they are on sale)
A cookie sheet
Freezer bags
wax paper (empty cereal bags work great if you like to repurpose and recycle)
Butter (to grease pan or waffle iron)

Mix pancake mix according to package instructions – 2 cups pancake mix, 1 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp oil (completely optional). Grease iron or skillet with small amount of butter. Cook on waffle iron just until waffles start to brown lightly. For pancakes, cook on each side till lightly brown. Place waffles or pancakes on cookie sheet, making sure they lay flat. Flash freeze by placing in freezer for 15-20 minutes or until they are firm. Place in ziplock freezer bags, placing wax paper in between to keep them from sticking.

To reheat:
Place frozen waffle or pancake in toaster and toast for 2 minutes or until warm. Serve with fresh fruit, butter, or honey (in stead of syrup).

Get creative with the waffles and pancakes! Some easy add-in ideas: Frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries. Sliced bananas, Nestle chocolate chips, nuts, pumpkin and cinnamon.

Photos coming soon…

Publix Trip 2/18/11

Publix’s Italian Days sale is going on, and while I did some shopping on my normal Wednesday, I do like to stock up when the sales are great. So tonight (well probably tomorrow) I’ll be headed to my favorite local Publix.

Heres my plan:

20 x Green Giant canned Vegetables, BOGO $1.29 ($0.64)
- 5 x $1 off 4 Publix Italian Days printable
– $5 off 20 items Publix printable
Total $2.90

use $2 off $10 CVS Printable

Total before coupons, $12.90
- Publix coupons $10.00
- Competetor coupons $2

Total estimated oop $0.90 (tax to be determined)

20 items for $0.04 each

Publix Trip 2/16/11

After of taking care of my flu sick babies and thus being held prisoner for a week, I was ready to go grocery shopping!

Trip One:

18 x Progresso Soup, BOGO $2.29 ($1.14)
- 3 x $0.50 Walgreens.com printable
– 2 x $0.50 Walgreen February Coupon book
– 8 x $1 off 2 RiteAid Video Value printable
- 4 x $1 off 4 Publix Italian Days printable
– $5 off Publix General Mills printable
- 4 x $1 off 4 manufacture printable
Profit $2.89

Freschetta Cheese Pizza $5
- $1 printable
Pay $4.00

Red Grapes $4.73 (1.69 per lb, 2.80 lbs)

- $5 Cvs Printable

Total before coupons, $30.34
- Manufacture coupons $5.00
- Competitor coupons $15.50
- Publix coupons $9.00

Total paid $0.84 ($0.99 with tax)

20 items for $0.04 each (or with tax, $0.05 each)

———————————————————————-

Trip Two:

2 x Lipton Tea Bags, BOGO $3.99 ($1.99)
- $1.50 Target printable
- 2 x $0.60 manufacture
Pay $1.29

2 x Sargento Shredded Cheese 7 oz $2
- 2 x $1.50 printable
Pay $1.00

2 x Sominex $3.19
- 2 x $3 Walgreens February coupon book
- 2 x $2 printable
Profit $3.62

Finish Gelpac dishwasher detergent $3.50
- $2.25 manufacture
- $1 Riteaid Video value printable
Pay $0.25

2 x Wishbone Dressing, BOGO $2.73 ($1.36)
- $1.50 Target printable
- 2 x $1 manufacture
Profit $0.77

Fresh Express Salad $2.00
- $1 printable
Pay $0.99

Freshetta Cheese Pizza $5
- $1 printable
Pay $4.00

Publix Milk 1 gallon $3.49

- $5 Cvs printable

Total before coupons, $31.09
- Manufacture coupons $10.45
- Competitor coupons $15.50
- Publix coupons $3.00

Total paid $2.14 ($2.54 with tax)

12 items for $0.17 each (or with tax, $0.21each)

 

Total for both trips before coupons, $61.43

After coupons, $2.98 ($3.53 with tax)

Saved….95%!

How did you do this week? Leave a comment / link up and share whats in your shopping cart!

The flu, and praising Him

My heart feels like it is being ripped in half. My four year old has contracted the flu, influenza type a. I havent had the flu or witnessed the effects of the flu in close to 20 years. So, as I watch my child lay listless, breathing shallow, and suffering from a 103 temp, I have a heavy heart knowing this may last for another 5 days. Yesterday, I felt the only thing I could do for him was to kneel by his bed and pray for him. My daily life has been halted, and everything else seem less important.

Yet during this I will praise God! I will praise him for the illness, which has given me focus and drawing me closer to Him, showing me, once again (oh how hard headed I am) just how much I truly need Him. I will praise Him that He has provided financially for the doctors bill and medication. I will praise Him for how much He loves us. I will praise Him for showing me the heart of a child. I will praise Him for healing my child. I will praise Him, in everything.

God sometimes allows trials and heartache, sometimes to bring us back to Him. Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

He created ALL things, so I will praise Him, even for these struggles. Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him

I cant help but think about how God gave up his only son, knowing what would happen, but doings it anyway because He loves us. Thats big love. I cant imagine the agony God felt on that day, being separated like that. I know how much I love my child, but it completely fails in comparison to how much He love us. While I am not worthy of His grace, He has adopted me into his family and accepted me as one of His own.

I will praise Him, for showing me just how much He loves me. Jesus is coming back for us soon!

 

 

Organization time

Currently, I am in the process of organizing my recipes. In light of the recent death of my daddy, and last year, my grandma, it became apparent to me that if our family recipes were not written down and shared, the would be forever lost. For example, my dads “famous” fudge recipe. A long time ago, when he was still able to write and remember things, he gave me a copy of his fudge recipe, with all the fun a bloop of this a a gloop of that (his humor in teaching me to cook). I lost the recipe sometime in my move from Nashville to Charleston, and by then he could not remember nor had the interest to cook anymore. This year, I made some fudge, since he always liked to have fudge around the holidays, and it was close, but I felt something was missing. Maybe it was just him that was missing.

Some family recipes are treasured and loved. Some family recipes need to be thrown away. Some family recipes need to be passed on to others, all in the love of food!

As I am frugal, spending hundreds of dollars on cookbooks would just not work for me. So I searched the web for a recipe database site. My search stopped at http://www.midwestliving.com. Even though I do not live in the mid-west, the site has a great cookbook builder, and its free! You can add recipes by categories that you can customize, and it is very user friendly with no templates to configure. You can also add photos. One neat thing about the cookbook is that is can be printed, or even viewed online as a printed cookbook. So one day if a deal pops up for some free printing, then I will be ready.

For now, I am inspired to organize my recipe collection, so that more family recipes are not lost. So before I start my meal planning for February (I still have a weeks worth of dinner in the freezer, thats the great thing about freezer cooking) I want to have my recipes more organized and in one place. While most of my recipes I have memorized, there are a few that I have to reference to when preparing. I purchased a heavy duty binder, some sheet protectors, and page dividers. A couple of hours (or days) later and some creativity, I hope to have a nice and neat cookbook to keep my cherished recipes safe. One day I hope my kids will fight over who gets moms cookbook. Just kidding.

Please share how you organize (or don’t organize lol) your recipes!

Bilo Trip 2/6/11

Usually Bilo is reserved for those quick trips, or milk (love fuel perks) since it is right by my house. Not my favorite store, but I will shop there. We stopped by on our way home from Publix and grabbed a few things. I pretty much figured that they would be out of the tortilla shells, and salsa, so I got a few rainchecks and will patiently wait for Tuesdays truck.

2 x Deerpark Water 24 pack, BOGO $5.99 ($2.99 each)
- 2 x $1.00 printable
Pay $1.99 each

2 x Casa Fiesta Green Chilli 4oz, BOGO $1 (40.50 each)
- 2 x $0.25 (doubles to $0.500 Printable
Cost: Free

Red Kidney Beans $1.29 (for Chili Dip)
Not on sale, and no coupon, but sometimes you buy what you need (or should that be want? lol)

Total Spent $5.27 ($5.35 with tax)

Total saved $10

Not too bad of a deal, though I am sure that using the bpa free water bottle for my husband for work lunch would be more earth friendly and cheaper. I love having bottle water on hand for the summer season, and for traveling (which I hope is coming up soon!). I freeze the bottles, and place them in a small purse sized cooler I have and is great so I dont have to stop and pay $1.50 a bottle on the road!