Happy Friday everyone. We are wrapping up another week. It was somewhat uneventful here at my house. Sometimes I need a week where we take it easy. Of course taking it easy at my house just means we are only on the go about 25% of the time rather than 75%–tee hee!
We did a playgroup here at the house, baseball camp, speech therapy and will finish up with horse riding in a few minutes. I am taking it easy while I can as we have a couple of trips planned in the coming weeks. While we will have fun – preparing for a trip requires a lot of effort from yours truly. Running the sites from the road isn’t too bad but definitely not as easy as typing up deals from the comfort of my couch 
As for shopping this week while my total spent looks kind of high, you have to consider what I bought. I consider this trip a very successful shop. I was able to get a good bit of protein as well as everything I need for lots of meals. I even got a few treats for that the boys requested.
Donuts, cereal and Pop-tarts are not necessary items in my world but my boys love them. My guys eat a good healthy diet for the most part so I don’t mind the treats on occasion. I have always struggled with my weight so I am a little more sensitive about keeping a bunch of junk in the house. Usually they will reach for a banana or a yogurt but at their age it is hard to resist with all those commercials telling them how good the stuff is.
As you can tell by my list I have a good bit of items that will be used over the next few weeks. I have a few people who have emailed asking why I don’t use moneymakers to reduce my total and why I don’t do multiple trips and use $x/$xx coupons. Well, you have to remember that my closest Publix is about 20 – 25 minutes away. I live out in the boonies so there is no such thing as a quick trip to the store. At times this can be a total pain – but I have learned it is actually how I save money. My shopping trips are planned ahead of time so I don’t have a lot of impulse purchases. There are the occasional nights when I would kill for pizza delivery but… I just suck it up and remind myself that I am saving a ton of money by using what I have on hand!
Now for the moneymakers…they don’t exist in my area. Where I shop is very heavily couponed so I never plan on seeing any of the super hot deals or moneymakers. I write my shopping list without even considering those items. I have set my grocery budget to a reasonable number that allows me to get what I need to feed my family and maintain my home. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind walking out of the store only paying $5 for $200 worth of groceries but that just is not feasible most of the time.
My time is valuable. Spending the time and energy to chase down deals is actually counterproductive for me. I would rather create a menu based on the sale, what I have on hand, grab my coupons and shop once. I find that I can still save about 70% and come home with a ton of groceries that I can actually use (not 200 bottles of vitamins that I have no use for–tee hee!)
Unfortunately, I don’t often have access to the $x/$xx coupons. I certainly would use them if I had them! My store accepts Kroger and Target competitor coupons and those stores never offer total purchase coupons. I did happen to get two this week and a dear friend is sending me couple of those $5 breakfast sale coupons…so I will get to save a little more in the coming weeks (insert happy dance here!)
I think it is also good to remember that we all have different needs. What works for me might not work for someone else. I offer up my totals each week as a way to for me to be accountable for my spending and to help other see that you can shop and save with only a very little bit of effort!
Now, on to my list this week:
Tyson Nuggets x 2 = $3.29
Green Giant = $0 (free product Q)
Sugardale Bacon = $2 ($1/1 home mailer)
Nathan’s Sausage = $2 ($1/1 peelie)
International Delight Creamer = $0 (free product Q)
Sorrento Ricotta = $1.99 ($1/1 IP)
Publix Feta = $2.39
Laughing Cow x 4 = $8 (two $1/2 tearpad)
Hillshire Farm Sausage Links x 2 = $3 (two $1/1 IP)
Ball Park Angus x 2 = $5 (two $1/1 IP)
Lunchables x 2 = $2 ($1/2 TQ)
Milk = $3.29
Green onions = 60¢
Grapes = $2.47
Bell Pepper = $1.21
Salad = $2
Shrooms = $1.69
Garlic = 84¢
Bananas = $3.81
College Inn Broth x 4 = $5.80
Kellogg’s Pop Tarts x 3 = $5.50 ($1/3 PQ = $1/3 MQ)
Donuts = $2
Tastykake = $1.50 ($0.75/2 IP)
Nature’s Own English Muffins = $2.24 ($0.75/1 insert)
Kellogg’s Cereal x 2 = $3 ($1/2 tearpad)
Bread $1.07
Publix Raisins = $0
Sunmaid Raisins = $2.15
I spent about $63 this week and came home with a ton of food. I am over my budget for the week but I just could not pass up the meat deals. I figure it is best to grab them now at a discount than pay full price later. The $6 worth of junk did not help my budget but there are a couple of happy little boys who have been enjoying Froot Loops as a snack for the past few days!
How did you guys do this week? Leave a comment or link to your weekly totals.
$0!!!! Used from our stash all week. Maybe the next sale will be good for me….
I saved 48.00 according to my receipt. I spent $45.00. Cereal, granola bars popcorn, crackers, etc. I had stacked coups for the cereal and crackers all of which were B1G1′s. I now have enough cereal for my two kids for at least 3 months. Pretty good deal.
I love seeing what everyone got in the week. Thanks to everyone who puts the time in to help others <3
This was my first week couponing. My sister is teaching me the tricks. I spent $18.55 and saved $37.79! 67% savings
Michelle, I love your trips! You buy food that feeds a family, not just the coupon stuff which is unrealistic to feed a family all the time, thanks for all you do!
The reason I love your site so much is that it is realistic couponing. I used to spend $300 a week on greceries and now with couponing spend about a $100, thanks to your site! This week I stocked up on a six month supply of cat food, tons of jello, a bunch of steamfresh and the purina dog food. I spent $112 and saved $109. Thanks for all you do it is so much appreciated!:)
I was always a thrifty shopper before I started couponing, watching for sales and mostly buying generic with the occasional coupons. Since I started seriously couponing last year (although I am far from “extreme”) I still spend about the same amount of money on food I always have. The difference, however, is I now have waaay more to show for it, and with more name brand products, allowing me to stock up better and decrease store visits. With that being said, I did do good at bringing down the total at Kroger last week. I got a cart full of of groceries (which will usually run me a little over $200) for an original total of $172, then after coupons and reward card the total was brought down to $136. I am hoping this trend continues so I can combine it with my existing strategy to not only bring home extra stock but start seeing some real savings.
Good week for me:
4) V8 Fusion Smoothie $7.98 (2.00ea)
4) IPMQ’s -1.00
2) IPStore Q’s -1.50/2
4) Jell-o Pudding $8.00 ($2.00 ea)
4) IPMQ’s -1.10
1) IPTarget Q -B3G1
1) Nivea for men $3.49
1) IPQ -2.25
1) IPTarget Q -1.00
4) Boxes of Jell-o $3.00 (.75 ea)
2) MQ -.50/2 (doubled)
1) IPTarget Q -B3G1
1) Tyson Steak Strips $2.00
1) IPQ -1.10
1) Green Wise Bath Tissue (mystery item)$2.39
1) Store Q -2.38
1) Zone Perfect Bar $1.00
1) MQ -Free Product
1) Sundown Melatonin $3.99
1) MQ -1.00
1) Store Q -3.00
1) Monterey Ravioli 2.00
1) IPQ -1.00
1) $5/$30 Store Q
Sub Total -$.03
Happy Dance!
For the -$/$$ coupons, the Enjoy the City books really are the best!
I couldn’t find Sugardale bacon at my Publix.
i spent 32.00 and saved 85.00. best i have done in months. this sale was actually worth going to for a change!!!
Great trip today… spent 79 and saved 305. Thanks for all the work you do on this site!!
I love that you posted the reality of being a diverse market. I too live in the country and not near a Publix or any shopping store for that matter. I am happy to say that I have not had to shop at Publix lately since sales are not to my needs, but would LOVE to be able to stock up on City books, also. Unfortunately, Winn Dixie is not a competitor so no luck there. I found that I was spending WAY too much money on gas chasing a deal or a reward buck. When it all boiled down to it, it was no longer a deal. Right now, I am stocked very pretty on most items and have not really desired to chase down some of the deals simply because it is not necessary to my needs. I appreciate all of your posts because they are real shopping trips with true expectations.
Winn Dixie is not a competitor to many Publix in Georgia. If they were, I would have stock in that book…lol.
Could someone please explain what “linky” menas? I see it all the time and would love to know!
Picked up boneless chix breasts this weekend. Had a $1/chicken wyb 22oz Hellman’s mayo peelie. Good until 8/30. Saving it for Hellman’s BOGO
I think this is my best Publix trip yet!:) I know I am late, and I waited for the last day of sale, and regret it coz the Target coupon for Pantene are expired!:/ Nevertheless, it’s a great one, due to the fact that most of my stuffs are food, and will be able to feed our family of 6!:)
This is consisted of 2 trips to 2 stores and several transactions.
SAVED $188.73, Paid $47.99
9-V8 Smoothie
4-Pantene Shampoo
4-Panteen Conditioner
2-Hormel Compleats
6-Newtons Fig
4-Monterey Raviolis
2-Cantaloupes
2lbs-Grapes
7-Bananas
5-Motts Apple Sauce
2-Mayonaise
3-Butterspread
2-Glade PlugIns 2-Pack
5-Tyson Fajita Strips
5-Tyson Steak Strips
5-Pouches of wild rice.
I did the Publix Conagra Rebate Offer this week. I purchased $35 in groceries. With coupons + $10 GC rebate I ended up paying around $2.69 for 26 products. I still have to finish off my shopping list before Wednesday. Love those rebate offers!