Week 4 Tally:
My Cost: $4.37
Products: $43.66
Running Tally - End of Week 4
My Cost: $16.66
Products: $109.93
Friday, August 30, 2013
Week 4 - End of Week Tally and Running Total
Week 4 Tally:
My Cost: $4.37
Products: $43.66
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Week 4 - Update and Moneymaker
I found a great coupon to go along with everything else this week. It can be used 2 different ways: to either make $.50 per coupon, or to buy 4 items for completely free (this was at Publix, and I have not scoped out other stores because it may be an even bigger money maker at Walmart)
The first trip to Publix I used 2 of $.50/2 Maruchan bowls or Yakisoba noodles from the 8/25 SS insert - the double of course. I only bought 4 of the bowls (which are 4 for $1) and used the 2 coupons and made $1, so I snagged another can of tuna.
This morning I went back to Publix with 2 more of the same coupons and picked up 8 of the Maruchan bowls for completely free.
I have been looking for a coupon like this!!!! Not only to donate to the homeless but for the kids to take to Sunday School to donate for Blessings in a Backpack. Woohoo!!!!! What a score when I was already at my $5 limit AND I'm passing out food in a camp this Saturday!
This coupon doesn't expire until the end of October, so I am going to take part of my budget next week and order more from a coupon clipping service.
Happy, Happy Thursday!
The first trip to Publix I used 2 of $.50/2 Maruchan bowls or Yakisoba noodles from the 8/25 SS insert - the double of course. I only bought 4 of the bowls (which are 4 for $1) and used the 2 coupons and made $1, so I snagged another can of tuna.
This morning I went back to Publix with 2 more of the same coupons and picked up 8 of the Maruchan bowls for completely free.
I have been looking for a coupon like this!!!! Not only to donate to the homeless but for the kids to take to Sunday School to donate for Blessings in a Backpack. Woohoo!!!!! What a score when I was already at my $5 limit AND I'm passing out food in a camp this Saturday!
This coupon doesn't expire until the end of October, so I am going to take part of my budget next week and order more from a coupon clipping service.
Happy, Happy Thursday!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Week 4 - The Game Plan
Thank goodness I already had a good start to the week because this weeks sales are not looking awesome to me. I do have a few things in mind though:
Today at Publix (last day of the sale):
4 Zatarain's Rice Mix - My Cost $2.00 for 4, Sale Price 10/$10 (using 2 of the $.50/2 Zatarain's rice mix).
This put my total at $4.12, so now I'm going to get a little tricky......
Tomorrow at Publix:
4 Dove Anti-Perspirant - My Cost $-4.00 for 4, Sale Price is 2.99 BOGO or 5.98 for 4 (using 2 $3 off Dove Go Sleeveless, Go Fresh, Cleartone Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant or Clinical Protection Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant, exp. 9/15/13 (RP 08/18/13) AND 2 OF $2/2 Dove Personal Care Item from Target Printable)
At this point, I am going to pick up as many cans of tuna I can get since I made money!!!!!! Also, I'd really like to have complete meals to hand out this Saturday when I visit the homeless camp!
Today at Publix (last day of the sale):
4 Zatarain's Rice Mix - My Cost $2.00 for 4, Sale Price 10/$10 (using 2 of the $.50/2 Zatarain's rice mix).
This put my total at $4.12, so now I'm going to get a little tricky......
Tomorrow at Publix:
4 Dove Anti-Perspirant - My Cost $-4.00 for 4, Sale Price is 2.99 BOGO or 5.98 for 4 (using 2 $3 off Dove Go Sleeveless, Go Fresh, Cleartone Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant or Clinical Protection Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant, exp. 9/15/13 (RP 08/18/13) AND 2 OF $2/2 Dove Personal Care Item from Target Printable)
At this point, I am going to pick up as many cans of tuna I can get since I made money!!!!!! Also, I'd really like to have complete meals to hand out this Saturday when I visit the homeless camp!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Week 4 - Part A
It is Sunday and I haven't even opened my papers yet or clipped coupons. But.....I was doing a little research this morning and realized that I had some coupons that I could use to score more really cheap stuff! I typically clip what I think I may use, then hold the inserts until the coupons have expired just in case I see a great deal and I can go back and clip it later. It saves me time (I think) and this system just works for me.
Anyway....I went ahead and ended up spending around $2.12 at Wal-Mart this afternoon - just to get the week started?????
I bought 9 Gillette shave preps - My Cost $.86 for 9, Cost $18.86 for 9 (used 3 of the $6/3 Gillette Cartridge, Razor, Shave Prep or Skin Product coupons, NO SIZE RESTRICTIONS, 8/11 RP insert)
I bought 6 Neutrogena Make-up Removing/Cleansing Cloths - My Cost $1.32 for 6, Cost $11.82/6 (used 3 of the $3.50/2 Neutrogena Acne, Cleansing or Facial Moisture Treatment Products, excludes Bar Soap and Naturals Products, NO SIZE RESTRICTIONS, 7/28 SS insert)
Finally I picked up 2 10 packs of Bic pens - My Cost ($-.06) for 2, Cost $1.94 for 2 (used 2 $1/1 BIC Stationery Product coupons, 8/4 SS insert)
The shave gels messed up my total because some were 1.97, and some 2.24. The cleansing cloths I bought because I thought it might be a good way for women to wash their face without using precious water. The pens - they will probably go in the Sunday School supply closet and not towards the product total, but with my budget any moneymaker I can get will help my totals!!!!
Running Tally - Week 4
My Cost: $2.12
Products: $30.68
Not a bad start!!!!
Anyway....I went ahead and ended up spending around $2.12 at Wal-Mart this afternoon - just to get the week started?????
I bought 9 Gillette shave preps - My Cost $.86 for 9, Cost $18.86 for 9 (used 3 of the $6/3 Gillette Cartridge, Razor, Shave Prep or Skin Product coupons, NO SIZE RESTRICTIONS, 8/11 RP insert)
I bought 6 Neutrogena Make-up Removing/Cleansing Cloths - My Cost $1.32 for 6, Cost $11.82/6 (used 3 of the $3.50/2 Neutrogena Acne, Cleansing or Facial Moisture Treatment Products, excludes Bar Soap and Naturals Products, NO SIZE RESTRICTIONS, 7/28 SS insert)
Finally I picked up 2 10 packs of Bic pens - My Cost ($-.06) for 2, Cost $1.94 for 2 (used 2 $1/1 BIC Stationery Product coupons, 8/4 SS insert)
The shave gels messed up my total because some were 1.97, and some 2.24. The cleansing cloths I bought because I thought it might be a good way for women to wash their face without using precious water. The pens - they will probably go in the Sunday School supply closet and not towards the product total, but with my budget any moneymaker I can get will help my totals!!!!
Running Tally - Week 4
My Cost: $2.12
Products: $30.68
Not a bad start!!!!
Week 3 - Part B - Totals for the Week
Maybe because it was the first week of school, or just because I have been very busy, I ended up not grabbing anything else this week. So here are my totals:
Week 3 Tally:
My Cost: $2.42
Products: $45.42
Running Tally - End of Week 3
My Cost: $12.29
Products: $66.27
Notice that I should be at $15 for my cost at week 3, but I am saving that money for a rainy day, or when I score something really big. :-)
Friday, August 23, 2013
My New Charity
In the beginning I started this site in order to supplement the food pantry at church, or be mega prepared for the food drives at school. Both are wonderful causes but the food pantry is funded (they need odds and ends), and food drives don't necessarily need the products I can score on my budget. After a lot of looking around I found exactly what I wanted to focus on.
Last Saturday, I met a gentleman named Rusty. Rusty is apparently a very active person in the community and does on a weekly basis what most of us would either judge, scorn, or ignore all together. Rusty goes to the tent cities and feeds and clothes the homeless. A LOT of these homeless are veterans. Some are not. All of these people could use a little help.
While talking to Rusty, I found out that personal care items such as deodorant and razors are very much needed, but they do have a lot of shampoo and toothpaste that is donated. Their actual shortages run along the lines of "camp food" - fresh veg, ramen noodles, pudding cups, crackers, tuna etc.
So, while I originally started this site in order to push myself to donate and show the power that we all have to help with very little money, my focus has changed a bit. I will continue to strive to meet my goal, but my focus will be more along the lines of what these people could actually cook in camp and what Rusty tells me he is having a shortage of; not just what I can pick up for free (Make no mistake - I will ALWAYS pick up the free stuff because someone can use it!)
I am so excited to have a real focus, and to maybe make just a few people more comfortable and less hungry on my little budget. With 76% of Americans still living paycheck-to-paycheck (http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/24/pf/emergency-savings/index.html), I think we should all have a little more compassion for what these people are going through. Let's stop judging, and scorning, and ignoring the problem and try to help out the people in our own communities.
Last Saturday, I met a gentleman named Rusty. Rusty is apparently a very active person in the community and does on a weekly basis what most of us would either judge, scorn, or ignore all together. Rusty goes to the tent cities and feeds and clothes the homeless. A LOT of these homeless are veterans. Some are not. All of these people could use a little help.
While talking to Rusty, I found out that personal care items such as deodorant and razors are very much needed, but they do have a lot of shampoo and toothpaste that is donated. Their actual shortages run along the lines of "camp food" - fresh veg, ramen noodles, pudding cups, crackers, tuna etc.
So, while I originally started this site in order to push myself to donate and show the power that we all have to help with very little money, my focus has changed a bit. I will continue to strive to meet my goal, but my focus will be more along the lines of what these people could actually cook in camp and what Rusty tells me he is having a shortage of; not just what I can pick up for free (Make no mistake - I will ALWAYS pick up the free stuff because someone can use it!)
I am so excited to have a real focus, and to maybe make just a few people more comfortable and less hungry on my little budget. With 76% of Americans still living paycheck-to-paycheck (http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/24/pf/emergency-savings/index.html), I think we should all have a little more compassion for what these people are going through. Let's stop judging, and scorning, and ignoring the problem and try to help out the people in our own communities.
Update for Week 3
I was completely wrong about the Sure deodorant. It is not 10/$10 at Kroger, but 4/$5. I went ahead and picked it up 6 for $1.50, and here are the totals so far this week from what I have been able to pick up:
8 Bic Disposable Razors 8-12 packs- My Cost - ($ -1.92)/Actual 22.08
4 Colgate Toothpaste - My Cost - .84/Actual 3.84
6 Brut Deo - My Cost - 0/Actual 6.00
6 Sure Deo - My Cost - 1.50/Actual $7.5
6 Tuna Helper - My Cost $2.00/Actual 6.00
Running Tally for Week 3 so Far:
My Cost: $2.42
Products: $45.42
The razors really were a nice money maker for me, and I am still looking around for the best price on tuna or peanut butter. Nice to see that sitting down and planning is starting to pay off!
8 Bic Disposable Razors 8-12 packs- My Cost - ($ -1.92)/Actual 22.08
4 Colgate Toothpaste - My Cost - .84/Actual 3.84
6 Brut Deo - My Cost - 0/Actual 6.00
6 Sure Deo - My Cost - 1.50/Actual $7.5
6 Tuna Helper - My Cost $2.00/Actual 6.00
Running Tally for Week 3 so Far:
My Cost: $2.42
Products: $45.42
The razors really were a nice money maker for me, and I am still looking around for the best price on tuna or peanut butter. Nice to see that sitting down and planning is starting to pay off!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Week 3 - Part A
This is going to be a fantastic week for the coupons. Here is what I've spotted/am picking up so far:
Walmart
8 Bic Disposable Razors - My Cost $-1.92 for 8, Cost $2.76 (Using $3/1 any Bic disposable razor)
4 Colgate Toothpaste - My Cost $.84 for 4, Cost $3.84 (Using .75/1 any Colgate toothpaste)
Kroger
6 Brut Deodorant - My Cost $0 for 6, Sale Price $1.00 or $10/10 (Using $1/1 any Brut fragrance, deo, etc)
6 Sure Deodorant - My Cost $0 for 6, Sale Price $1.00 or $10/10 (Using $1/1 Sure deodorant)
Publix
6 Tuna Helper - My Cost $2 for 6, Sale Price $10/10, Cost $6 (using 2 $.75/3 Hamburger/Tuna Helper AND 3 Kroger $1/2 Hamburger Helper from sales flyer in Sunday paper)
Thus far this puts my total for week 3 at $.92, so I will probably take advantage of this and grab tuna, peanut butter or something of that nature.
Walmart
8 Bic Disposable Razors - My Cost $-1.92 for 8, Cost $2.76 (Using $3/1 any Bic disposable razor)
4 Colgate Toothpaste - My Cost $.84 for 4, Cost $3.84 (Using .75/1 any Colgate toothpaste)
Kroger
6 Brut Deodorant - My Cost $0 for 6, Sale Price $1.00 or $10/10 (Using $1/1 any Brut fragrance, deo, etc)
6 Sure Deodorant - My Cost $0 for 6, Sale Price $1.00 or $10/10 (Using $1/1 Sure deodorant)
Publix
6 Tuna Helper - My Cost $2 for 6, Sale Price $10/10, Cost $6 (using 2 $.75/3 Hamburger/Tuna Helper AND 3 Kroger $1/2 Hamburger Helper from sales flyer in Sunday paper)
Thus far this puts my total for week 3 at $.92, so I will probably take advantage of this and grab tuna, peanut butter or something of that nature.
Week 2 - Part B
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Here is what I ended up with this week. I actually didn't spend the full $5, only $4.08; but that is ok since I'd like to keep a little play for the weeks ahead.
Running Tally - End of Week 2
My Cost: $9.87
Products: $20.85
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Week 2, Part A
Apparently I still have the "hurry and grab it bug" to get started. I went to Publix and spent $2.58 and got 2 boxes of Barilla pasta BOGO ($1.11), and 2 Knorr sides BOGO ($1.29). This does not help at all towards my end goal!!! If you are a person that does not want to coupon at all Publix is a great place to shop just for the BOGOs, but NOW I have a P...L...A...N and have decided to calm down and shop smarter!
Starting Wednesday the new Publix sale starts, and here is my scenario there:
4 Suave Deodorant - My Cost $0, Sale BOGO $1.99/2 (using 2 $1/2 Publix coupon from Health and Beauty Flyer AND 2 $1/1 Suave Deo from makinglifebetter.com)
4 Hamburger Helper - My Cost $1 (.25 per box), Sale $10/10 (using Publix Digital $1/4 Hamburger Helper AND 2 Kroger $1/2 Hamburger Helper from sales flyer in Sunday paper)
4 BC Ultimate Potatoes IF included in 10/$10 sale - My Cost $1 (.25 per box), Sale $10/10 (using $.75/1 BC Ultimate Potatoes)
This puts my total so far at $4.83, products $14.56.
I am not done yet, will still be looking for items that pop up as free or super cheap, but I really wish I hadn't ran in and grabbed things without coupons. If the Deodorant goes as I hope, then I will definitely be going back to pick up more, but there is a limit of 2 per trip on the one coupon. I hope tomorrow goes well!
Starting Wednesday the new Publix sale starts, and here is my scenario there:
4 Suave Deodorant - My Cost $0, Sale BOGO $1.99/2 (using 2 $1/2 Publix coupon from Health and Beauty Flyer AND 2 $1/1 Suave Deo from makinglifebetter.com)
4 Hamburger Helper - My Cost $1 (.25 per box), Sale $10/10 (using Publix Digital $1/4 Hamburger Helper AND 2 Kroger $1/2 Hamburger Helper from sales flyer in Sunday paper)
4 BC Ultimate Potatoes IF included in 10/$10 sale - My Cost $1 (.25 per box), Sale $10/10 (using $.75/1 BC Ultimate Potatoes)
This puts my total so far at $4.83, products $14.56.
I am not done yet, will still be looking for items that pop up as free or super cheap, but I really wish I hadn't ran in and grabbed things without coupons. If the Deodorant goes as I hope, then I will definitely be going back to pick up more, but there is a limit of 2 per trip on the one coupon. I hope tomorrow goes well!
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Week 1
School is about to start, and the babies are starting preschool this year. Imagine the shopping that can be done kid free!!!! No more "Mommy I need to go potty." or "Mommy I'm hungry." No loading and unloading 3 kids from the car - I'm not entirely sure I'm going to know what to do with myself!
I know it is strange to start a venture of this sort at the beginning of August, but I am inspired by this idea and want to get it started! This week Kroger has a Mega Savings event, and I totally jumped the gun because I was so excited about the LOAD I was going to get for less than $5. Unfortunately, they were out of everything I wanted, so below is my not so productive first attempt. Oh well, this is going to be a work in progress I'm sure.
1 Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes - Cost .25, Sale price $1.00 (used .75/1 BC Ultimate Pot or HH)
2 Barilla Plus Spaghetti - My Cost $1, Sale price 10/$10 (used $1 off 2 Kroger digital coupon)
2 Velveeta Cheesy Skillet - My Cost $2.79 for 2, Sale $3.79 BOGO (used $1/2 Kraft skillet meals)
1 BC Ultimate Hamburger Helper - My Cost $1.75, Sale $2.50 (used .75/1 BC Ultimate Pot or HH)
I was actually going to get 6 of the Potatoes for $.25 and some Barilla microwave bowls, but they were out and it really messed up my trip! Oh well, next week I start sooner and will be adding other stores. One more week until school starts and the real savings begin!
Running Tally - Week 1
My Cost: $5.79
Products: $9.29
I'm really going to have to step up my game to reach my goal!!!!
I know it is strange to start a venture of this sort at the beginning of August, but I am inspired by this idea and want to get it started! This week Kroger has a Mega Savings event, and I totally jumped the gun because I was so excited about the LOAD I was going to get for less than $5. Unfortunately, they were out of everything I wanted, so below is my not so productive first attempt. Oh well, this is going to be a work in progress I'm sure.
1 Betty Crocker Ultimate Potatoes - Cost .25, Sale price $1.00 (used .75/1 BC Ultimate Pot or HH)
2 Barilla Plus Spaghetti - My Cost $1, Sale price 10/$10 (used $1 off 2 Kroger digital coupon)
2 Velveeta Cheesy Skillet - My Cost $2.79 for 2, Sale $3.79 BOGO (used $1/2 Kraft skillet meals)
1 BC Ultimate Hamburger Helper - My Cost $1.75, Sale $2.50 (used .75/1 BC Ultimate Pot or HH)
I was actually going to get 6 of the Potatoes for $.25 and some Barilla microwave bowls, but they were out and it really messed up my trip! Oh well, next week I start sooner and will be adding other stores. One more week until school starts and the real savings begin!
Running Tally - Week 1
My Cost: $5.79
Products: $9.29
I'm really going to have to step up my game to reach my goal!!!!
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