Weekly Totals 2/3

I hope you all have had a nice week. For some reason I just could not get caught up this week. I am very excited that today is Friday. I think tonight is going to be a movie night with a big bowl of popcorn…I need to veg for a bit!

I am still working on my list for the Publix gift card and have yet to shop the new sale. I did manage to get by Publix once this week but it was after school so I had both boys with me. I managed to get out of the store with only the addition of a couple of bags of donuts that were not on my original list. I got a fair amount of proteins this week. I was able to add a few pork roasts to my freezer as well as some nuggets for the boys. I also got some lunch items for me – tuna and the grilled chicken breast. Overall I am pleased with my trip – here is what I got this week:

All Detergent = $1.50 ($1 MQ & $1 PQ)
Snuggle = $1.50 ($1 MQ & $1 PQ)
Bananas =  $2.53
Goldfish x 4 = $4.80
Soft Scrub x 2 = $3 (two $1/1 insert)
Donuts = $5
Milk = $3.39
Rotel x 3 = $1.25 ($1/3 PQ)
Rotel sauce = $0 (free wyb 3 insert)
Bread = 99¢
Hillshire Farm Chicken x 3 = $4.50 (three $1/1 MQ & three $1/1 PQ)
Stouffer’s Family Lasagna = $3.93 ($2/1 insert)
Tyson Nuggets x 2 = $3.98 ($two $1/1 IP)
Pillsbury Grands x 2 = $1 ($1/2 IP)
Red Gold tomatoes x 4 = $2 (two $1/2 blinkies)
Nilla Wafers x 2 = $2 ($1/1 IP)
Starkist Pouch x 4 = $0 (four $0.50/1 insert & $1/2 PQ)
Pork = $18.54 ($2 PQ)
LaCroix x 2 = $2.50 (two $1/1 IP)

I spent about $39 after coupons and gift card. I saved close to $70 so that means my savings percentage is about 72% this week.

How did you guys do this week? Leave a comment or link to your weekly totals.

Weekly Totals 1-27

I am about to take off and get my 40 lb ground beef from Zaycon and thought I would pop up my weekly totals before I left. I have to admit I am VERY excited to get all that beef. Not that I am looking forward to repackaging it but I sure will be happy when all I have to do is grab a pack from my freezer when I need it!

I was hoping to use both my peanut butter and Starkist rain checks this week but I only found the peanut butter in stock. Hopefully I can grab some tuna soon! I got a very nice box of produce yesterday from my delivery service so I just stopped in Publix to grab the best deals and few things that I needed.

Nature’s Own English Muffins, $2.50 ($0.55/1 IP)
Newman’s Salsa x 2 = $2 ($1/1 IP)
Planter’s Peanut Butter x 6  - raincheck = $6.54 (three $1.50/2 IP)
Hillshire Farm Chicken x 2 = $3 ($1/1 PQ & $1/1 IP)
Dole Oranges = 80¢ (two $1/1 IP)
ICBINB x 2 = 46¢ ($1/1 IP)
Zatarains x 3 = $2 ($1/3 IP)
Nabisco Munch Packs = $7.75 ($3/2 insert)
Nabisco Snak Sac x 4 = $6 ($1/2 IP)
Coke Zero 8 pk x 4 = 52¢ ( $4 wyb nabisco PQ, two 99¢ IP, $1.25/1 mailer)
Banquet Turkey Sausage x 2 -= $2
Welch’s Fruit Snacks = $0 ($1/1 IP, $1/1 PQ)
Bread = 99¢
Kikkoman seasoning packet = $0 ( $1/1 IP)
Al Fresco Sausage = $2.75
Grapes = $2.30
Bananas = $2.07

I had a little bit of money from a gift card and ending up spending $38 this week. So I am a couple of dollars under budget. According to my receipt I saved almost $67. That is my kind of savings!

How did you guys do this week? Leave a comment or link to your weekly totals.

Weekly Totals 1/20

Happy Friday guys – I hope you all had a wonderful week. I think this was the first uneventful week we’ve had in a while here. Looks like we are finally back on track and ready to push through the rest of the school year and get into a good groove!

I have about 2 hours in the middle of the day when both boys are in school. So right after I dropped Jeb off to preschool on Tuesday, I hit the grocery stores. I thought I would have plenty of time to shop but I found myself having to hurry a bit to get everything I needed!

I was a little excited to shop this week because I was walking in with gift cards. Having free money and coupons always makes shopping a little more fun. Late last week my Kellogg’s Happy New School Year gift cards arrived and I had some Kroger gift cards from a MooLaLa deal so I was up $50 before I used a single coupon!!

Hair Color – $6.99 ($2/1 insert)
Spiderman Fruit Snacks x 4 = $8 (two $0.50/2 IP)
Mailing Tape = $2.49
Jetpuff Marshmallow (closeout) = 49¢
Corn Tortillas = 99¢
Brawny Paper Towels = $0 ($1/1 IP)
Donut Holes = $1.19
Pop-Tarts = $2.50
Softsoap x 4 = $3.52
Lysol No Touch refill = $2.99
Colgate Wisp x 4 = $1.76 (four $0.75/1 peelies)
Bread = 98¢
Bananas = $1.61
Spaghetti Squash = $2.64
Milk = $3.39
Banquet Chicken x 3 = $7.50
Breyer’s Fruit Bars x 2 = $5.68 ($1.50/2 IP)
Eggs = $1.79
Ground Beef = $4.83
Newman’s Own Pizza x 2 = $8 (two $1/1 IP)
Athenos Feta x 4 = $3.20 ( two $1/2 IP)
Quaker Granola Bars x 6 = $8.40 ( three $1/2 IP)
Weight Watchers Muffins x 2 = $1.60 (two $1/1 IP)

I spent about $22 this week after gift cards. As you can see by my list there really were not a ton of things that I had to have. Most of the stuff was just to pad my current stock. I find that it is so much easier to justify buying the non-essentials when I have free money. Those non-essentials will be used and since several are treats…it makes everyone happy!

So how did you guys do this week? Leave a comment or link to your weekly total.

Weekly Totals 1/13

Happy Friday the 13th! Hopefully you guys have all had a good day! So far so good over on this side of the screen. I’d be even better if I could talk someone into coming over to fold my big pile of laundry -tee hee!

You might remember that I did not shop last week – so, I had a little extra money to spend. This week I was totally prepared and did a couple of huge shops. I actually ended up spending a bit more than my weekly budget, but I got a ton of groceries and should be on track for a while thanks to my big haul!

My after-school snack pile was low and my husband requested a couple of special snacks  for his beloved college football championship game (I think I hear him yelling “Roll Tide” from afar). Both of those helped to push me a little higher than I had hoped but I still saved a bundle! I took advantage of the gas card deal twice. I am attributing the $20 savings to my grocery budget rather than my vehicle budget. It takes a little bit of the sting out of my higher than normal spending.

Wholly Guacamole = $0 (free product Q)
Lunchables x 5 = $5
Kraft Shredded Cheese x 4 = $10 (four $1/1 & two $0.50/2)
Ground Turkey x 4 = $13.96
Pop-Tarts x 2 = $5.82 ($1/2 mailer)
Mussleman Apple Sauce x2 = $1.64 (insert)
Mott’s Apple Sauce jars x 3 = $2.67 (three $1/1)
Prego x 2 = $1.07 ($1/2 insert)
Muir Glen x 4 = 36¢ 9 two $0.75/1 & two $0.85/1)
Quaker Oats = $1.43
Velveeta = $4.39
Canned Hormel Chicken x 2 = $5.78 ($1/2 IP)
Franks Red Hot = $1.19 ($1/1 mailer)
Snackwells x 2 = $1.20 (two $1/1 IP)
Kidfresh = $ (free product Q)
Birds Eye Steamfresh Chef x 1 = 30¢
Tyson Chicken x 3 = $9
Weight Watchers Meals x 24 = $32 (two $5/12 IP & $two $3/10 TQ)
Aunt Jemima Pancakes x 4 = $5.60
Coca-cola x 4 = $0 (home mailers)
Scoops = $3.49
Friendship Sour Cream = $1.54 ($0.75/1 IP)
Ruffies Trash Bags= $1 ($1/1 ip)
Olay Soap x 2 = $8 ($4/2 insert)
Reach Floss = 49¢ ( 0.50/1 IP)
Goldfish Bread x 2 = $1.30 (two $0.50/1 peelies)
Bread = 99¢
Smuckers x 2 = $2.18 (two $1.50/1 IP)
Tortillas = $2.69
Lemon = 67¢
Chives = $1.99
Bell Pepper = $1.17
Squash = $1.10
Zucchini = $1.41
Bananas = $2.24
Shrooms = $1.50
Acorn Squash = $1.54

That means I spent around $125 this week but I saved over $150 so I call that a successful week!

How did you guys do this week? Leave a comment or link to your weekly totals.

Weekly Totals 1/6

Next week I will finally get back on track–I am so ready!

Earlier this week, my husband went back to work and my oldest is back in kindergarten. But, my little one doesn’t go back to pre-school until next Monday so he has been my little shadow all week. I chose to skip my trip to the store this week and worked on getting organized. I shopped late in the week last week so I was in pretty good shape. I also got my produce box and had a carton of Smart Balance milk so there was no need to make a run.

That means I start 2012 off by spending $0 of my grocery budget. I definitely have to go soon – we are out of fruit and if we want bread I will have to pull out the handy dandy bread maker.  I think we can survive until Monday and by waiting, I will get a chance to hit the Publix sale without having to take the boys with me!

I will have to live vicarious through you guys this week. Share your totals in the comment or leave a link to your weekly totals.

Weekly Totals 12/30 – Share Your Totals!

Can you guys believe that in just a few days it will be 2012? This year has just flown by…luckily I don’t feel any older! Maybe all the running around with the boys will keep me young(ish) for a while.

I shared with you guys my yearly totals last week. I was very happy to have made my goal and averaged about $40 per week. I went ahead and totaled everything up last week so I could see if I had any extra money that needed to be spent. Of course there wasn’t an extra…but I am always a bit hopeful. I also knew I had a $100 that I had received from turning in points from Swagbucks. I got it ahead of time expecting to use for my final shopping week of the year.

Knowing I had that free moolah, I decided to pull all my expiring coupons that I wanted to use and add those to what I needed for the week. Then, I splurged with the rest! My oldest was home when I was working on the ad and saw the big picture of those Fat Boy Ice Cream Sandwiches. He decided then and there that he needed them…so I told him when I shopped I would get a couple of boxes. I also splurged and got some of my favorite snacks – Wholly Guacamole and Sabra Hummus!

I also decided to grab some pizza making items. I usually make my own dough but I just could not resist grabbing a few to throw in the freezer for quick and easy dinners when I need them!

Also, you will notice kitty litter on my list. No–we did not get a cat. My husband had a spill in his garage and apparently kitty litter is good at absorbing car gunk?!

I am in organization mode. At this moment, my coupon box, coupon drawer, pantry, refrigerator and freezer are all CLEAN and ORGANIZED! I have been taking inventory and will be filling in any gaps over the next few weeks. Overall, I am in good shape but I do need to do a spice cabinet overhaul. That is next on my to do list!

I am also working on my financial goals for next year. I hope to finish them soon and would love for you guys to share what you are planning. I should have it finished this weekend so be on the lookout!

I used all but a buck of my free money and still managed to save $65! Here is what I got at Publix this week

Publix Bread 99¢
Collards $1
Pepperidge Farm Cake $2.25
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh x 2 = $4.66  ( two $1/1 IP)
Oscar Mayer Pepperoni x 2 = $5.40 ($1/2 tearpad)
Crescent Rolls x 2 = $2.99 ( $1/2 home mailer)
Scotch Brite 3 pk greener clean x 2 = $3.98 (two $0.50/1 IP)
Zatarains rice = 20¢ ($.40/1 home mailer)
Minute Maid = 99¢ ($0.50/1 home mailer)
Perdue chicken = $5.99
Kikkoman Ponzu Sauce = $0 ($3/1 IP)
Krusteaz One Step = 50¢ ($0.50/1 insert)
Dove Ice Cream Bar = $2 ($1/1 home mailer)
Fat Boy Ice cream Sandwiches x 2 = $4.89
Wholly Guacamole x 2 = $2.99 (bogo mailer)
Knudsen Juice x 2 = $0 ($2/1 IP)
Puffs Plus Tissue = 50¢ ($1/1 home mailer)
Argo Corn Starch = 79¢ ($0.40/1 insert)
Argo Baking Powder = 79¢ ($0.40/1 insert)
Bananas = $1.69
Grapes = $3.95
Sabra Hummus x 2 = $5.98 (two $1/1 tearpad)
Oscar Mayer Bacon x 2 = $5 (two $1.50/1 IP)
Pizza Dough x 3 = $7.77
Mozzarella = $5.99
King’s Hawaiian mini sub rolls = $0 (booklet coupon)
Smuckers Squeeze = $2.30 ($.35/1 insert)
Cheez-its x 4 = $6.68
Ovaltine = $4.49 ($1/1 IP)
Johnsonville Sausage = $5.69
Publix Apple Juice = 1¢ (penny item)
Pace Picante Sauce x 2 = $1.79 ( $.50/2 IP)
Cat Litter = $1.89

I’d love for you guys to share your weekly/yearly totals. Leave a comment or link to your weekly totals.

Weekly Totals 12/23 – End Of The Year Wrap Up!

It is time to tally up our yearly spending. I keep mine in a handy little spreadsheet so that I can add to it each week after I post here on the site. Honestly it is more so I can see how I did at the end of the year…I never total anything until right before I do my end of the year checkup. I like to do my final numbers the week before the end of the year so that just in case I am under budget, I can be sure and use any excess money. Of course that had never happened…but you never know – maybe next year!

I am very happy to tell you guys that I spent $2113.72 this year. That means I almost nailed my yearly goal. That is an average of $40.65 per week. Now, that is my total after any gift cards that I earned or was given as gifts that I used to reduce my spending. While some folks may use their gift cards to buy purses and shoes, I like to use rebate money and gift cards to keep my grocery budget as low as possible.

Of course I realize that this will not appeal to everyone. Even some of my friends pick on me for my shopping habits. But, I like a good challenge. After all, I have lots of other things I prefer to spend my money on other than groceries

Ok…so here is what I got this week.

Smart Balance Milk x 4 = $4
Bananas $3.76
Worcestershire Sauce  = 85¢
Sorrento Mozzarella  $1.79
Rondele = $0
Kraft Cheese x 2 = $4
Oreos x 2 = $4.98
Crisco Oil x 4 = $5.60
Grapes = $3.90
Chinet Napkins x2 = $2.16
Plugra Butter x 2 = $3.78
Ritz x 3 = $1.09

I spent right under $40 this week thanks to a big shop last week. I am happy that I will have my milk covered for the next week or so too!

Now, I’d love to hear how you guys have done this week and this year. Leave a comment or link to your weekly/yearly totals.

Weekly Totals 12/16

Talk about a whirlwind couple of weeks. The past few weeks have been pure craziness at my house. With the traveling, cold & flu then the past week’s stomach bug…I feel like I have been sleepwalking through my days. Somehow I have managed to be productive and even have everything ready for my holiday get together with my family tomorrow. I think it is just a mom thing…it seems no matter how long the to do list may be, we somehow manage to push through.

My shopping is done, the gifts are wrapped, the boys are out of school and come Sunday I am going to crash! My plan is to stay in my pajamas all day and watch movies!

With all the craziness, I had not shopped in quite a while. I managed to remedy that this week. I hit Publix at the beginning of the week and have plans to go early next week to grab a bunch of deals from the current ad. I also had several gift cards for Kroger. My husband’s company sent a Kroger gift card with the holiday card and I earned a few with some promotions that I did on my other site (I Heart Kroger).

Since the Kroger sales can’t really touch Publix deals, I decided to blow the gift card. Yep–I made a list of stuff that I needed or wanted and grabbed them whether they were on sale or not! My 4 year old has been asking for Spiderman Fruit Snacks so I got him several boxes. My oldest wanted Jello cups. I needed a big Windex refill…and the list goes on. I actually felt kinda bad at the register as it was a big old junk haul. I typically will not use my grocery budget on that much unnecessary junk but it was free money so I decided to go for it.

At some point next week I will sit down and figure out my yearly spending. I am very curious how I have done. My goal is to spend an average of $40 per week. I can’t wait to see if I met my goal.

Here is what I got this week…

Weiman Cooktop Cleaner
Weiman Pad
Chicken of the Sea Salmon x 2
Lipton Tea x 2
Kraft Big Slices
Beef
State Fair Corndogs x 2
Wish Bone Dressing x 2
Flipz Pretzels
Hidden Valley Seasoning Packets x 2
Candy Canes x 2
Lunchables x 4
Kidfresh Entrees x 3
Muir Glen Sauce x 2
Sara Lee Bread
Minute Maid Juice Boxes
Publix Ham
Powerade x 2
Kraft Singles x 2
Pillsbury Cookies
Stouffers Sautees
Coffee-mate Bliss
Wholly Guacamole
Jello Pudding
Eggs
Spiderman Fruit Snacks x 6
Shrimp Poppers
Aunt Jemima Pancakes x 2
Eggo Waffles Family Pack
Capri Sun x 4
Windex x 2
Sprayway Glass Cleaner
Mary B’s Biscuits
Go-gurt
Pillsbury Crescents x 2
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
Pop Tarts x 4
Milk
Country Time Lemonade
Butter
Bananas
Cheese Blocks x 2
Philly Cream Cheese

After gift cards I ended up spending $52.66 for everything. Not bad since I haven’t been to the store in forever! Get ready for next week’s yearly wrap up – I can’t wait to hear how everyone did in 2011.

How did you guys do this week? Leave a comment or link to your weekly totals.

Weekly Totals 12/9

I alluded to my crazy week this morning in the free coupon Friday post. It really has been “one of those weeks”.  In addition to carpool craziness, Jake had friends over two different afternoons this week, we celebrated my husband’s birthday and attended two different school holiday functions. Add to that the time I spent on my three sites plus cooking and cleaning and every day to-do’s and I am pretty much exhausted.

To top it off – guess who is hosting a sleepover tonight?! I wish you guys could hear how loud my house is at this moment. I think it is official…I have lost my mind!

I am giving myself a little break tonight. Instead of cooking, my husband will be bringing home pizza for all those hungry little boys They will be thrilled and I get to relax a little bit. I am going to surprise them later with some cookies. At least that will be “fun” cooking.

As far as shopping this week…once again it just did not happen. I have a grocery list ready but I have yet to find the time to actually do my shopping. I did manage to do a 5 minute run into Publix to grab a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk and a cheesecake for my husband’s birthday. I felt kinda bad as I usually make him a cheesecake but I was running like a mad woman this week and never had time to get it made. Luckily Publix has the best bakery ever and I was still able to give him a birthday treat.

This is the time of the year when things are just a little bit more hectic but I guess that makes everything more exciting. Maybe if I am lucky I will learn how to wrap presents in my sleep.

This week I spent about $15. After all the boys go home tomorrow, I may let my husband hang out with my guys and I will escape and do a little shopping.

How did you guys do this week? Leave a comment or link to your weekly totals.

Weekly Totals 12/2

This has been a crazy week. On our way home from Alabama, my little one spiked a fever. He has been terribly sick all week. So, I have been hanging out with my little pitiful guy all week.

I ended up sending my husband out to Publix to grab a few things to hold us over. I have to tell you guys, I am so proud of my husband. I gave him a very short list and 4 coupons. Now I know that may seem like no big deal for us pros, but – my husband is not exactly a great shopper. I can count on one hand how many times he has shopped solo this entire year. While he doesn’t mind doing it, he is not exactly good about sticking to the list and often just grabs whatever catches his eye. This time he got all the items and only came home with one extra item. I guess those Snickers were too hard to resist.

I never got a chance to do my big shop for the week. So, this week my husband spent about $20 for the basics (and a little chocolate).

This week I’ll have to just check out all your deals. How did you guys do this week?

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