Sales next week

Here is my planned sales list, plus some things I think will help you out if you're just beginning to get a stockpile going.

Walmart:
Pumpkin Spice Country Crock (1.16-1.00 coupon from coupons.com)
Hidden Valley Ranch Veggie Kit *near dressings* (2.00-1.00 from coupons.com)
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter (2.48-1.00 coupon from coupons.com)

Bratchers:
Boneless skinless chicken breast-1.39/lb
Chuck roast-2.69 (2.59 at Prengers)
Butter-1.69
Betty Crocker fruit snacks (2/$4-.50/2 coupon doubled to 1.00/2=1.50 each)
Crest toothpaste (5/$5-1.00/2=.50 ea)
Pillsbury Cresent rolls (2/4-.40/2 doubled to .80/2=1.60 ea)

Schnucks (I will price match this at Walmart since I have only 2 things and no coupons to double)
Del Monte Fruit Cups (2/4-1.00/2=1.50 ea 4 pack)
Kool Aid mixes 10/$1

Gerbes:
Dillons milk 2.89 (I believe Aldi's has milk for $2.99 currently)
Totino's Pizza Rolls (.99-.40/2 doubled .80/2=.59 each)
Pillsbury grands biscuits (.99-.30/2 doubled to .60=.69 ea)
Gortons Frozen fish (3.99-1.00 coupon=2.99 each)
Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn (1.59-1.00/2=1.09 each)
Danimals Crush and smothies (1.99-.50/1 coupon from facebook doubled to 1.00=.99 each)
Brawny paper towels (.79-1.00 off any roll coupon from facebook=FREE)

Hyvee:
Bananas $.39/lb everyday this week!
Plus, if you buy 10 Betty Crocker items you will get 3.00 off + any coupons you have!

Shopping-Week of 2/19

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in this weeks coupon and sales selections. Therefore, I didn't do any grocery shopping this week except for the meats I posted about last week. I did, however, go to Walgreens and get a few things on the cheap so I thought I'd share!
Tylenol Precise Pads (the same thing basically as thermacare or icy hot patches) for FREE. They are on sale for $5.00 and in Sunday's paper there was a $5.00 off coupon. If Walgreens is out, have Walmart price match them.
Gillette Mach 3 Razors (3 pack, disposable)-10.99 Buy 1 get 1 50% off with (2) $3.00 off coupons
1st one-$7.99
2nd one-$2.49
Total for both-$10.48 (or 5.25 each, a savings of 48%)

Also, I got some toothpaste and toothbrushes from Gerbes in Columbia. I got 5 tubes of Colgate toothpaste for free (On sale 10/$10 with $.50 off coupon doubled to $1.00) and 5 Colgate toothbrushes for $1.00 (On sale 10/$10 wit $.40 off coupon doubled to $.80=$.20 each).

I'll be getting all the sales flyers today so I'll post tomorrow what I'm planning on stocking up on this weekend!

Get your meat on!

It is definately meat stock up week! I have been scouring the sales ads this morning, and I have already been to the store to get the meats I need.
Prengers-
$1.99 Ground Beef! (Bratchers has it for $1.89, but bratchers is 73% and Prengers is 81%, worth the $.10 difference) I got 10 lbs.
1.69 Pork Chops (Bratchers has them for $1.79, so if you don't eat red meat and live in Moberly, might be worth going to Bratchers rather than paying the gas)I didn't end up getting these because they were still cutting them and didn't have them out yet, but you bet I will be up there again this afternoon!
Hormel refrigerated ready to eat meals $3.99-$1.00 coupon-2.99 for a lb of meat (Prengers has the choice of beef tips in gravy or meat loaf)I bought 4 of these
Also, I didn't get any because I still have plenty of chicken but I noticed Prengers still has some of thier $.99 split chicken breast out.

So, make some room in that freezer and stockpile! Remember, its about buying what you don't need now at an unbelievable price so that when you do need it, you have it!

PS. Also, remember WalMart price-matches! I'm not a huge fan of thier meat, so I just went straight to the source. But you can also have them price match Bratchers ground beef price and Prengers pork chop price in 1 shop!

Shopping Trip 2-12-12

I completely, and I mean COMPLETELY, busted the budget this week. There were so many great deals that I could not pass up. Add to that the things I needed around the house and VOILA-budget buster. I did bust the budget, but my stockpile closet is actually moving to another spot in my house because it won't fit in my kitchen pantry anymore. I got probably literally 10x the stuff for the money I spent than I would have if I had not been couponing. So without further ado, this is what I got:

Walgreens:
6 boxes Hefty one zip storage bags (regularly $3.29, on sale buy 1 get 1 free + $1 off 2= $1.15 per box)
4 large cans Progresso soup (regularly 1.99 on sale for 1.25 - 1.00 off 4 coupon - $1 RR when you buy 4= $.75 ea)
Ouchless ponytail holders neon colors on clearance for $1.09
Scope mouthwash (regularly 4.19 on sale for 2.99-1.00 coupon=1.99)
Walgreens total before sales:$32.98
Walgreens total after sales: $18.95
Walgreens total after coupons:$12.98 (Actually paid 13.98 but have $1 RR for next visit)

Schnucks:
6 Pouches Beggin Strips dog treats (Reg.3.49 b1g1 free+$2.00 off 2 coupon=$1.25 ea pouch)
4 boxes Betty Crocker potatoes (Reg 1.85 on sale 10/$10+.50 off 2 coupon doubled to 1.00 off 2=$.50 per box)
6 Knorr Rice or Pasta (Reg. 1.66 on sale 10/$10+.50 off 2 coupon doubled to 1.00 off 2=$.50 ea)
2 Pillsbury Grands Jr. biscuits (reg 1.59 on sale 10/$10 + 1.00 off 2 coupon=$.50 ea)
3 Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls (reg 1.87 on sale 10/$10 + .30 off coupon doubled to .60=$.40 ea)
2 Grande Tortilla chips (reg 2.99 on sale $2.50 +$1.00 off coupon =1.50 ea)
Kraft BBQ sauce (reg 1.59 on sale $10/10=1.00)
Schnucks brand tupperware $1.88
2 Febreze Set & Refresh (reg. 3.18 on sale for 2.38-1.00 off coupon=1.38 ea)
Q-tip cotton swabs (reg 3.59 on sale 2.99+.30 off coupon doubled to .60=$2.39)
Schucks total before sales: $75.60
Schucks total after sales: $46.62
Schnucks total after coupons: $25.22

Gerbes:
5 Kettle Brand Chips(reg 2.99 on sale 1.49 + 1.00 coupon=.49 ea)
12 Ortega Taco Seasoning (reg 1.09-.10 plus card savings-1.00 off 2 coupon=.50 ea)
2 Zatarains rice mix (reg 1.86 on sale 10/$10=1.00 ea)
2 Nature Made Vitamin A (reg 5.49 ea + b1g1 free sale +1.00 off coupon=1.24 each)
3 Blistex medicated lip ointment (on sale $.99+.35 coupon doubled to .70=.29 ea)
Brawny paper towel roll (reg. 1.59+.34 plus savings +1.00 coupon=.25ea)
Welches grape jelly (reg 1.85 + .55 coupon doubled to 1.00=.85 ea)
Neutrogena Acne Gel Pen (reg. 4.59 on sale for 2.19 +1.00 coupon=1.19)
2% milk (reg 3.75 + .86 plus savings=2.89)
Gerbes total before sales: 45.58
Gerbes total after sales:$36.44
Gerbes total after coupons and sales:$17.36

Hyvee:
6 Boxes Cheez it snacks (reg 2.99 on sale for 1.49 + 1.00 off 2 coupon=1.00 ea)
2 Ocean Spray 64 oz bottles (reg 3.64 on sale for 1.88 + buy one get 1 free coupon=.94 ea)
10 Vlasic Dill Pickles (reg 1.59 on sale for 1.00 + .55 coupon=.45 ea)
4 Dove Revival Shampoo (reg 4.19 on sale for 2.00 - 1.00 coupon=1.00 ea)
Hyvee Total before sales:$57.88
Hyvee total after sales:$27.15
Hyvee total after coupons and sales:$16.35

Walmart:
2 Maxwell House coffee canisters 23 oz (5.11 ea - 1.00 off 2 coupon=$4.61 ea)
2 Smart Balance peanut buttter (2.68-.75 coupon=1.93 ea)
1 GV Wheat Bread loaf .98
6 boxes post cereal (2.86 price matched to walgreens price of 2.00 box on sale -1.00 off coupon=1.00)
5 KY Jelly-I have to put a disclaimer on here that I don't really need 5 tubs of KY, but it was free so I figured I would find a use for it. (2.84-3.00 off any ky product coupon=FREE)
7 tubes of vaseline lotion (.97-1.00 off any vaseline product coupon=FREE)
Reduced pork chops 8.37
reduced steaks 5.26
Hormel pork loin 6.98-1.00 coupon=5.98
Then I needed some things for V-day and no coupons :(
Skittles-2.48
Flowers-2.98
Glass jar-2.97
Card-.97
Straws-.98
Walmart total before coupons-$83.04
Walmart total after coupons-$55.39


Total for the week before coupons or sales:$295.08
Total for the week after coupons and sales:$127.30
Total savings:43%

Weekly Deals

Coupons vary GREATLY by region, but I do have a website that gives you a lil sneak peek at what should be coming this Sunday. I want to share some of that with you, and tell you what my plans on getting this week are. Since I told you I would never tell you about a deal unless I went and purchased it first, here is my disclaimer: I HAVE NOT PURCHASED THE LIST I AM ABOUT TO GIVE YOU, IT IS MY "GOAL" LIST.
The KC Star should have 2 inserts this week. A Smartsource and a Red Plum insert. Here is a sample of what should be in those inserts:
Smart Source *If you go buy Moberly's Weekender today, you should get most of these also*
Stride Single Packs $1 off 2
Post Raisin Bran $1off 1box
L'Oreal Preference hair dye $2 off 1 box
A whole host of Glade Air Freshener coupons
Cortizone 10 item $1 off 1
Axe body spray or deodorant $1 off 1
*Red Plum-not in Moberly's paper
Got2B hair care products $3 off 1
Secret Deodorant $1 off 1

Most of the coupons listed above have a corresponding sale item at Walgreens. Hurry and go today or tomorrow though because Walgreens sales start over on Sunday. Also, when you hit Walgreens, grab the little coupon books up front by the flyers, they have tons of extra savings in them!

Some of the things I am going for this week are:

$.97 Vaseline lotion at Walmart ($1.00 off coupon=free + $.03 overage)
$3.00 Iams Dog food trial bag at Target ($3.00 off coupon=free)
$1.00 Knorr rice or pasta at Gerbes or Shnucks (.50 off 2 coupon, doubled to 1.00 + .25 off store voucher=.25 each when you buy 4)
$1.00 Manwich sloppy joe mix at Gerbes (1.00 off if you buy sara lee buns= Free+price of buns)
$1.00 Blistex lip care at Schnucks ($.35 coupon doubled to $.70=$.30 each)
$1.00 Betty Crocker Potatoes at Schnucks ($.50 off 2 coupon doubled to 1.00=$.50 each)
$2.00 General Mills Cereals at Bratchers (1.00 off 2 coupon=$1.50 box)

Again, these are just some of the things I will go for or else it wouldn't be worth the drive all the way to Columbia. I have gone to Bratchers and taken advantage of some of thier deals already. This is what I got:

Reames Noodles-Sale 1.50-.50 coupon doubled to 1.00=.50 each (regularly 2.19) PS If you are interested in this deal, get with me this weekend because I have a bazillion of those Reames coupons.
Chicken Breast $.99/lb
Betty Crocker Cookie mix-Sale $2 each-$.40 coupon doubled to $.80=1.20 each pouch (regularly 3 something)

So are you ready? Are you motivated? Grab some store flyers and start making your list!

Shopping trip 2/5/12.

I was going to do a coupon sneak peek, but if you are reading and paying attention to this blog you should already have your coupons. I won't waste your time recapping them. I did end up going to do my shopping yesterday, and dragged my poor husband with me. He was mesmerized by the Columbia grocery stores, and still doesn't understand the whole "couponing" thing. He threw me a little off my mojo because he just kept randomly throwing things in the cart. Even so, we scored some good deals! Heres what it looked like:

Hyvee:
4-8 packs 24 oz bottles diet pepsi (regularly 3.50 each-store coupon $4/10-2 mfg coupon $2 off 2=$1.50 each)
Hyvee total before sale or coupons= $14.00
Hyvee total with in store coupon=$10.00
Hyvee total with all coupons=$6.00

Gerbes:
10 Bottles of Sunny D (reg. 1.74 each-.25 plus savings -.50 sale savings -.55 coupon off 2 doubled to 1.00=$.49 each)
Bottle of Aleve 100 ct (reg 8.80-2.00 coupon=$6.80)
4 tubs Heluva Good dip (reg. 2.29-.80 plus savings-.50 sale savings-.75 off coupon doubled to 1.00=FREE)
2 tubs I can't believe it's not butter (reg 2.95-.96 plus savings-.50 sale savings-.50 off coupon doubled to 1.00=.49 each)
2 Dove Men's Care shower tools (reg 3.99-.50 plus savings-.50 sale savings-1.00 off coupon=1.99 each)
1 Bag Kroger Brand tortilla chips $1.00
6 jars Ragu spaghetti sauce (reg 1.80-.04 plus savings-.50 sale savings-1.25 off when you buy 3 coupon= $.84 each)
4 boxes mom's best natural cereal (reg 2.79 -1.30 plus savings-.50 sale savings-1.00 off 2 coupon=.49 each)
Gerbes total before sales or coupons $72.45
Gerbes total with plus card and sales savings $48.14
Gerbes total with card, coupons, and sales $28.68

Schnucks:
4 cans Campbells Chunky soups (reg. 2.26-.76 sale-1.00 off coupon when you buy 4 or .25 off each can =$1.25 each)
6 cans Campbells Condensed soups (reg 1.50 -.50 sale-.40 off 3 doubled to .80 or .27 off each can =$.73 each)
1 bar Suave deodorant (reg 1.35-.35 sale-.50 coupon doubled to 1.00=Free.)
And heres where my husband comes into play.
2 packages imitation crab sticks (reg 2.99-1.00 sale=1.99 ea)
1 lb deli sliced Honey Mesquite ham-5.04(this was on sale from 8.07 per lb)
1 bag seedless lemons-2.99 (not on sale)
1 bottle sunkist soda-1.69 (not on sale)
Schnucks total without sales or coupons $41.72
Schnucks total with sales only $30.30
Schucks total with sales and couons $23.10

Patricia's
4 packages of Johnsonville Brats 2.47 ea (lost the reciept so don't know what they are normally, but I did check all of the sales flyers and Patricia's was cheapest.-1.00 off 2 coupon=1.97 each)
Patricia total $7.88

We also made a WalMart trip to get some things we needed that I didn't have coupons for, and my husband once again messed up my mojo. So I spent way more than I planned to, but I'll give you the totals anyway in the interest of fairness.

WalMart-
1 box Celestial Seasons Sleepytime Tea- $2.38 box -1.00 off coupon =1.38
1 dz eggs-1.98
1 loaf pumpernickel bread (reduced sale) -1.68
1 pan cinnamon rolls (reduced sale) 2.39
1 pack hot dog buns- 1.25
1 loaf wheat bread-.98
1 bag seattles best coffee- 6.00-1.50 off coupon= 4.50
1 box prarie farms butter -2.88
1 big tub pre cut grapefruit in juice-6.88
1 gal milk -3.86
Walmart total-27.78

Total Shopping for week- $93.44 (and officially the last time I take the Mr. with me!) but still not bad to feed a family of 4 with what we got.

I know you're saying "Where's the meat?" Keep an eye out for meat sales. I got all the meat I needed last time it went on sale so I'm not buying it now. But if you are just starting out you will want to find good meat sales to stock up so you aren't eating Campbells soup for dinner every day :)

Stockpiles!

Holy Moly! I know I was supposed to do this post a few days ago, but I have the flu or food poisoning or something and literally have not left the bed in days. I'm feeling only slightly better today, so I'm here. Sorry I'm late. So apology accepted? Good. Onto our next topic. Stockpiles.

Getting tuna for free or toilet paper for $.15 a roll is all fine and dandy but what good does it really do you if you get 1 package of tuna or 1 roll of toilet paper? What did you save by doing that? A dollar, two? Big deal. No really, that's why we are talking stockpiles-so you can get BIG DEALS! The purpose of couponing is to buy what you will EVENTUALLY need at a rock bottom price so that when you need it, you don't have to shell out full price. That's why (in a previous post) I talked about getting multiples of the same coupon. So that (for example) if I had a $1 off a package for chewing gum and WalMart had said chewing gum for $.99 a pack I can go to WalMart and get my free chewing gum. But if I get 1 pack, and I need more next week and have to go pay $.99 for it, I haven't done myself alot of good. But now lets say I have 20 of those coupons. I can go buy 20 packs of gum for free and have enough chewing gum to last me the next 6 months. By stockpiling things that I can get 60% or more off I have things I need when I need them, and I'm not freaking out over paying $5.99 for a bottle of shampoo. Plus, if there ever happens to be a zombie apocolypse, I'll be able to board up all my windows and doors and have enough food, deodorant, paper products, and chewing gum put away to last until all the zombies starve to death. In a more practical sense, it's so nice to be able to just throw the tube of toothpaste away and grab another out of my pantry instead of wrestling the tube for the next week because I forgot to pick some more up. I know we have all been the ones in the shower filling the shampoo bottle up with water and shaking it up to get that last litte bit, praying it's enough to wash our hair clean because there isn't another bottle in the house.  I'm the only one? Didn't think so.

Now lets talk "how" to stockpile. Obviously you will want to have your tons of coupons we talked about earlier. You will also need a space to keep all of the items you are stockpiling. Clean out an under-used closet and put some shelves in it, buy a shelving unit for your garage, kick one of your kids out into a tent in the backyard...I mean, however you want to get the space is up to you. But you will need it if you're couponing right so go ahead and get it ready. Food service tip: Keep non food items on shelves under the food items. You wouldn't want that cheap/free shampoo leaking out all over your Wheat Thin stash. After you have your space ready, you will want to scour all of the online couponing sites (some of my favorites are listed below) and your local ads. Of course I will list deals here weekly too. My general rule of thumb is that if I can get an item 60% or more off, I stock up. Some people only stockpile free things, some say 30% off is enough for them to stock up. You will have to decide that for yourself. But my thinking is that if I can get something for 60% off, I can buy 3 and only pay 20% more than the original price of 1. If I can get it for more than 60% off, it's on like Donkey Kong.

So really that's the basics of stockpiling. Clip your coupons, find your deals, buy your deals up while you can get them, and the next time you are shaking the last little bit of laundry powder out of the box you can go the your own personal stockpile and get a new box instead of taking from the store's stockpile at full retail price (+ gas + hassle).

Some of my favorite sites to check for deals are:

http://www.thecoupongirlz.com/
http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/
http://www.coupondivas.com/


Up next: A sneak peek at Sunday's coupons and my planned shopping list!