Shopping and couponing

So I’ve been wanting to post some of my favorite resources when it comes to shopping and couponing. I’ve found several blogs that have really helped me out and I think I’m doing a decent job when it comes to saving some money for our family!!! (and since we’re going thru Dave Ramsey’s FPU class at church right now every stinking little bit helps!!!)

So here's my recommendations!!

First of all I read all my blogs in Google Reader. That way I just log in in the morning and if someone updates a blog it shows up in my reader. Then throughout the day I just check and see if anyone has updated.

There are three blogs I do check on my Blackberry when I’m not near my google reader and I do check those for updates religiously throughout the day.

Those are:

Crystal at Money Saving Mom

Jenny at Southern Savers (my friend Erin took Jenny’s couponing class in SC)

And

Marcy at Stretching a Buck (from Columbus , featured on NBC4 every other Monday with Ellie!!!)

There are several others but these gals are great with their deals. Marcy and Jenny do a breakdown of the ads for grocery stores and all three do the drug stores!! I love Marcy because she does a Giant Eagle deal (complete with what coupons go with the sale items!!!).

I’ve been tweaking my coupon organization system for the last few months- I finally think I have something that works. Erin (in SC) and I have been brainstorming methods and I hope to post pictures soon of what is finally working for me!!!

I’ve also found some great recipe websites that I’d love to share.

Year of Crockpotting (and she’s got a cookbook out!!)

Pioneer woman Cooks (delish food!!)

$5 Dinners (I love this gal)

Once a Month Mom (girls after my own heart....freezer cooking!!!)

Other things that have helped me with our grocery budget is menu planning and stock piling. Organized Junkie does a great blog carnival I’ve been trying to get into the hang of participating in and Money saving mom does a great stockpiling post.

Hopefully this post will be useful to someone!!!

Nesting....

It's tough to "nest" when you're on modified bedrest!!! I've beent trying to get stuff ready in my little energy spurts. This whole process is tough because when I do too much I start contracting. When I lay around too much I get too stiff and uncomfortable.

I'm about done with Wal*greens system of register rewards, Easy saver rebates and coupons. I went to 2 stores and got conflicting info on their coupon policies. It's definitely not a system wide ruling and very very frustrating!!! However, they have Huggies on sale next week and with the sweet coupons I got from coupons.com I'll have to go back!!!!

Yesterday my mom helped me yesterday and I got a few more things stocked in my freezer stash!! We made 4 batches of muffins (each only 6 muffins) from packets I found on super sale. We also fried up a bunch of ground beef- I made 2 quart size bags of regular ground beef and 2 bags of taco meat. We can use those for spaghetti sauce or nachos or pizza toppings. We also had pasta for dinner and I have 4 single servings as leftovers (they may get frozen).

We're working on B's room now. Jason and his dad just moved the changing table and dresser between rooms. Jason's mom is going through some of the "junk" we had in the garage so we can hopefully pull the car back in. We're gonna try to get all the christmas stuff that has been in the garage back downstairs.

At my appt on thursday my doctor definitely could tell that I've been having contractions...I have progressed a little bit. So more taking it easy and trying to rest. It's still looking like maybe the week of St Patricks day....it's so crazy!!! I'm 35 weeks today!!! My OB doesn't think I'll deliver this week (shew) but probably the next week. We'll see. She was on the money with Max.

I have a few more goals before baby gets here. I'd like to make waffles for the freezer. I want to finish Max's big boy room complete with car decals on his walls. I'd like to clean our master bathroom and organize our stockpile. (and organize the diaper stockpile I've been working on!!

We'll see.

34 weeks and some change....

I'm so glad I didn't work this weekend. I kept getting waves of contractions...none too close together but they do take my breath away.

We did get a couple things accomplished this weekend. I'm hoping to take some pictures of the basement this week and blog about it!!

I did get some good deals at wal*greens yesterday and had to stop at Meijer too. At Wal*greens I got the eye drops (7.99 with a coupon off and $8 in register rewards), a chap stick for 2.99 with $2 rr, and oreos for 1.99 buy 1 get 1 free!!!!

I went to wags with the intent to buy 3 bars of Johnson's buddy soap (I had a coupon that was about to expire!!!). Wags didn't have it so I went to Meijer. Didn't see it there with the baby stuff so decided to check the regular soap before I left!! I found it!! I got 3 bars of soap for like $.75. I wish I would've used this coupon when someone had them on sale for like $.99 but I was just getting started with coupons then. I'm hoping Johnsons renews that coupon because it's a great deal!!!

Jason is at work today and Bubby is at Grandma & Papa's. I'm on strict bedrest per Jason's request. I have been over doing it this weekend-even just a few errands really wipes me out. So I'm hoping to work on our taxes and make my march plan for wags and c*v*s and clip some coupons. We'll see. Mom is coming over after work and they'll bring Max back around then. It's my nephews birthday so I think we're making him a cake tonight to celebrate!!

Ok, think it's time to lay down. B is kicking me all over the place!!

C V S trip/ wags trip

I made a quick trip to C*V*S yesterday. I didn't take a picture and didn't exactly follow my plan but it was still a very good trip. I'm typing this from memory.

I got 2 packs of Stayfree pads. They were on sale with a coupon and got ECBs back.
(these are a stock up for the post partum time).

I got 2 things of Triaminic cough syrup (Bubby has a cold and his pedi recommended it). They were also on sale and I got ECBs back.

3 things of gatoraid (on sale $1/each). Dr. said I could start drinking gatoraid in addition to water since I'm SO SICK OF WATER!!!

Gillette shampoo. On sale, with coupon, ECBs back.

Pack of gum on sale. (I call it Biggest*loser gum-the fruity stuff but really yummy).

I paid only $2.17 OOP and got ECBs back. Again, it's been a rough week so I don't have exact totals. The checkout lady made a huge deal about my coupon binder (which reminds me I can blog about it while on my "bedrest").

I also did Wags on tueday. I've never really had tried Walgreens system so I gave it a whirl. I got 2 more packs of stayfree (on sale everywhere this week!!!). Had a coupon!! Also got refills for my neti pot (they come with a rebate), shampoo (rebate), gilette razor (on sale, coupon, and register rewards ~which is wags version of ECB).

Now that I'm on disability for work money is gonna be tight. I'm really hoping to work the drugstore game to its fullest!!! I saw that diapers are on sale at CVS this week so I'm gonna try to stock up on that!!! Anything we can stockpile and use ECBs, RR, rebates, etc is necessary to get!!! Of course, I'm only getting things we use but I still am spending very little OOP. The wags system is much more difficult to use in my opinion. You do spend more OOP and have to wait on rebates. But my friend Erin assured me to check both ads in order to maximize our stockpile capabilities!!!

C V S

I thought it was somewhat a slow week at C V S but there were just a few things I thought I'd take advantage of...
Jason hasn't found a razor that he's in love with and since the fusion's were on sale with coupons and ECBs I thought we'd try it out (I'm just hoping the replacement blades go on sale sometime)!!

So here is my breakdown:
Gillette Fusion Razor (Original Price 9.99) On sale for 7.99
Manufacturing Coupon $4 off
OOP $3.99
Earned $4 ECB

Nivea Lotion (OP 7.99)
MQ $1 off
OOP 6.99

Nivea Lip Balm (OP 2.99)
MQ $1 off
OOP 1.99

Earned $3 ECB for Nivea $10 purchase

Totals:
Original Price of products purchased: 20.97 (plus tax)
C V S sales: $2 off
MQ (manufacturer's coupons): $6 off (4 +1 + 1)
ECB redeemed: 12.49 (5 + 5 + 2.49)

OOP (out of pocket) total: $ .97

ECB earned: $7 (3 + 4)


No coupons this week- I'm kind of sad. I guess because it's a holiday!! (president's day)
I found a nifty post showing what ads will be in the paper when (red plum, smart source, pg brand saver). There are some weeks it may be worth it to buy a second paper!!!

C V S week 3

All in all I was pleased with this week. I made one critical error that I'm hoping to fix today...we'll see.

So I started with the Glade 4 for $10 with ECB
I got 2 candles and 2 scented oils refills.
Original price for all 4= 17.16
Sale price 4/$10
Coupons used:
$1.5/2 and $2/2
6.50 out of pocket
$5 Extra Care Bucks earned

***
Speed Stick Deodorant 2 for $5
OP 6.38 for 2
$.75/2
4.25 OOP

Colgate 2 for $5
OP 6.58 for 2
$.75/1 & $.75/1
3.58 OOP

Soft Soap/Irish Spring Shower Gel 2 for $7
OP 10.28 for 2
$1/1 & $.50/1
5.50 OOP

Soft Soap Hand Soap $1
OP 2.49 for 1
$.35/1
$.65 OOP

ECB $5 earned for Spending $15 on the previous products
*****

Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion $2.99
OP 3.69 for 1
$1.25/1
$1.74OOP
******
Excedrin $2.49
2.49 OOP
ECB earned $2.49
****
Colgate total $6.99/2 (twin pack)
$1/1
5.99 OOP
**should have earned 2 in ECB (sticker on box)
Did not get this ECB-going to try to take it back and get ECB or return product***

*******
SO- original prices on all products= 56.06
Sale prices= 40.47
Coupons= 10.65
ECB redeemed = 29.99
OOP= 1.34
ECB earned = 12.49
(will hopefully earn 2 more bucks today!!!)

Still learning- I paid more attention at the checkout but should've said something about the 2 bucks I thought I should've earned. I wouldn't have bought that toothpaste if there were no bucks back on them!! I did fill in my email for a coupon to be emailed to me for $4 more ECB.
I know we'll use all that I bought. I also picked up the february ad to look at and see what else I may get. I liked all the products on the spend 15 and get $5. It was only a limit 1 and I have multiple coupons. I'm contemplating getting more soft soap. $.65 OOP isn't a bad price. I hate that I get no more ECB though. Also I have a ton of toothpaste coupons and we really like the Colgate Max but I'm trying to be smart about the spending!! I don't want to deplete my ECB the first week of the month!!!

But bottom line-pay attention. And quit leaving husband in car with son...just go by myself!!!


**UPDATE**
I stopped at another new C V S
(I did not mention that yesterdays purchases were at a new C V S that I did not care for)-
I really liked the one today and I got my $2 in ECB!!! So I got a total of $14.49 in Bucks to roll over!!! And the cashier was very nice and understanding!!! Woo hoo!!!

C V S Trip 2 (1/29/09)

I returned to my C V S today with my husband and son left in the car (I intended to go by myself this week so I could take my time and learn the layout of the store and such-but the icy roads and other errands/timing made it so we just all went together).

I was uber organized. I had a list of all the things I wanted to check out. I starred them in the weekly ad, monthly ad, and had my items that I had coupons for marked!!
I only purchased items that I either got ECB or coupons for. (well, except a clearanced thing of conditioner, a pack of gum, and a bottle of water -next time I'll have my own water!!).

The clerk was super helpful and welcomed my coupons (she even grabbed an additional coupon for me). I got my Extra Care Card (which reminds me I need to register online).

Here I go:
*now remember, I got an abundance of some items- but I've learned the point of the drugstore game is to stock up on sale items with coupons and ECBs in order to help your grocery budget. Since money will be tight when the baby arrives and the basement renovations- I need all the help I can get!!!

#2 bags M&Ms normally 3.49/each (6.49 total) on sale 2/$6 6 Out of pocket (OOP)
($2 Extra Care Bucks)
#2 Pertplus 3.99/each (7.98) on sale 1.99 each (used #2 $1 off coupons) 1.98 OOP
#2 Sure deoderants 2.99/each (5.98) on sale 1.99/each (used #2 $1 off coupons) 1.98 OOP
AA Engergizer batteries (8.99) on sale 6 (used .75 manufacturer coupon) 5.25 OOP
C Energizer batteries (8.49) on sale 6 (used $1 MC on package) 5 OOP
($4 ECB on $12 energizer purchase)
3 pack Ivory bar soap (1.69) on sale $.99 (lost my coupon somewhere:( ) .99 OOP
Schick intuition razor (9.99) on sale 8.99 ($2 coupon) 6.99 OOP
($4 ECB)
Gillette Hair conditioner (5.99) on sale 4.99 ($2 coupon) 2.99 OOP
Head and Shoulders (8.29) on sale 4.99 ($1 coupon) 3.99 OOP
($6 ECB on Gillette and H&S purchases)
Systane tears (11.29) on sale 7.99 ($2 coupon) 5.99 OOP
Prep H Wipes (4.29) ($2 coupon) 2.29 OOP
($1 ECB)
#2 Children's throat coolers (4.99/each) 9.98 (B1G1 coupon) 4.99 OOP
($9.98 ECB- *I made money of this one!!)
Nasogel 7.99 ($2 coupon) 5.99 OOP
(7.99 ECB *made $ here too*)
#2 Maalox Mint (darn pregnancy heartburn) 5.39/each 10.78 OOP
#2 GasX (one chewable 1 geltab) 5.69/each 11.38 OOP
($10 ECB for $20 Maalox/GasX/Benefiber purchases)
Dove soap (this is my mess up-guess I'm allowed 1 right?) 4.19 ($1 coupon) 3.19 OOP
*I thought I picked up the $.99 one-I need to pay closer attention-this was meant to be free!*
Water bottle $.99 OOP
Gum 1.29 OOP
Clearance conditioner $.87 OOP

Original price of items purchased = $130.66

Extra care card savings (i.e. sale savings) = 19.76
(doesn't count clearanced conditioner original price)

Coupon savings = 24.74

Extra care bucks (ECB) redeemed (from 1.20 purchase) = 19.99

Out of pocket (OOP) total = 66.17

Extra Care Bucks (to be used by 2/28/09 = 44.97!!!!



I think my math if fairly close (my OOP vs. coupons vs original prices, etc).

I spent more OOP than I had hoped. I wanted to keep it under $50 and was hoping to use last week's ECB to keep it under $30. But I got alot of stuff!! I'm so pleased with nearly $45 in ECB to roll over!!!

My main references in this process have been Centsible Savings and Money Saving Mom. These ladies post all the deals on their blogs!! The both have "tutorials" on how the system works and how to best spend your dollar (and the theory behind the "stockpiling"). I also get many many printable coupons from these gals (which I love!!!).

Next time I hope to make a list of my OOP as I put things in my cart (to better keep track of things). I tried to do it in my head and it got away from me. My goal is to keep my OOP under $15 and keep "rolling over" the ECBs!!! And Sunday starts a new monthly ad for the February ECBs!!! Yay!!

My friend Erin (Stella's mom) is doing this too and she said it all when she said "this could get addicting!!"

Between the sales and coupons I saved almost 50% - plus I got $45 to spend next month!!! Wow!!!

Hopefully if I have time next week I'll post pictures of my new coupon organizer!!!

C V S trip 1 (1/20/09)

I've learned so much from some amazing blogs about the "drugstore game" and I'm pleased to say I'm officially a player!!! Trip 1 was last week and I'm just getting a chance to blog about it!!!!

I liked the store I went to but there were just a few issues!!

-Definitely not a place to take Max. Too small of carts and small aisles. Plus it takes some calculating and work-too much for a toddler.
-My C V S was out of extra care cards. They did use a courtesy card for my purchase and gave me a rain check for my Extra Care Bucks (ECBs). I was skeptical that it would all work out so I wanted to wait until I tried this week before I blogged about it.

So here is what I got:
#2 12 packs of Diet Pepsi ($3/each 0ut of pocket)
#2 12 packs of Mt Dew ($3/each OOP)
Tostitos ($3 OOP)
Lays wavy ($3 OOP)
Bounty paper towels 8 pack ($6.99 OOP)
Clairol Hair Color ($5.99 on sale - $1 coupon = $4.99 OOP)
Puffs plus ($.99 on sale - $.25 = $.74 OOP)
Nasogel ($7.99 on sale - $2 printable coupon = 5.99 OOP)

(36.71 with tax = $39.01 OOP)
*the Extra Care Card sales saved me $19.10*
Plus I got $19.99 in Extra Care Bucks (ECB) to use on my next purchase
*$10 for 15 purchase of pepsi products
*$7.99 for Nasogel
*$2 for Clairol

*all in all I'm pleased with my first try*