Shopping with Mom and Emma

Today, my Mom came to visit and Emma and I took her along with us on our couponing venture.  We went to Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Walmart!  Here's what we got today:

Wags:

Transaction #1 & 2:

1- U by Kotex $3.99, get $3RR

2- Colgate Optic White toothpaste 2 for $7, get $3 RR wyb 2

I used:

2- 75¢/1 Colgate MQ's

FP: $9.49 each, got $6 RR with each transaction

Transaction # 3:

4- 12pk. Cottonelle toilet paper ($5 each)

2- Dial 8pk. bar soap (sale price: BOGO @ $6.99)

4- pkgs. of M&M's for fillers (sale 2/$1)

I used:

4- 50¢/1 Cottonelle toilet paper coupons

$1/1 Cottonelle IVC

1- $2/2 Dial IP

I used $12 RR from Transactions 1 and 2

FP: $8.99

Total Retail: $63.48

Total OOP: $27.97

Total Savings: $35.51 or 55%

Rite Aid:

Transaction #1:

4- boxes of Finish powerball tabs (BOGO @ $6.49, get $2+UP wyb $6 worth)

2- Softsoap hand soaps ($2.99 SP, get $2 +UP)

I used:

2- 75¢/1 Finish MQ's

$12 +UP left from last week

FP: $5.46, I got $8 +UP

Transaction #2:

4- Jet Dry (BOGO @ $5.99)

I used:

1- 50¢/1 Jet Dry IP

$8 +UP from Trans. #1

FP: $3.48

Total Retail: $55.90

Total OOP: $8.94

Total Savings: $46.96 or 84%

That's not my best savings at either store, but I wanted to stock up on the toilet paper while I could get it for $3.50 per package plus, the feminine products purchased will be donated.  The Dial soap IP that I found this week on coupons.com, came in very handy!  $4.99 (after IP) for 16 bars of soap is cheaper than it would be at Walmart!!  

I almost forgot that we went to Walmart as well!  Here's the breakdown:

2- 30oz. bottles of Suave Everlasting Sunshine shampoo ($1.46 each- 96¢ each after coupon)

2- bottles of Garnier Fructis ($2.96 each- $1.96 each after coupon)

3- bottles of Adidas men's body wash ($3.47 each- $1.47 each after coupon)

12- bottles of Dial hand soap (on rollback for $1.27 each- 77¢ each after coupon)

I used:

2- 50¢/1 Suave IP's

2- $1/1 Garnier IP's

3- $2/1 Adidas MQ's

2- $3/6 Dial hand soap IP's

Total Retail: $34.49

Total OOP: $19.49

Total Savings: $15 or 43%

I don't usually do a lot of couponing at Walmart, and I think you can see why!  I usually don't save as much as I do at the drug stores and Kroger!

Why couponing works for me and my family!!

I know a lot of people are wondering why I spend time on such a "boring" thing like coupons.  Well, there's one simple answer for that:  we are a one income family, and my "job" other than being a SAHM and housewife is to help my husband's paycheck go as far as it can!  I love saving us money and being able to help others in the process!!  I literally had someone comment in line behind me the other day, "coupons are such a waste of time!"  After she saw my total go from over $100 down to just under $27 with tax, she changed her mind!  Here's what I got this week:

12- canisters of Country Time Lemonade (regular price $3.99)

on sale 10/$10 at Kroger

I paid just $6 for all 12

I saved $41.88

6- packages of BIC Soleil razors (regular price $6.99)

on sale for $4.49 at Kroger

I used $3 off coupons that made them $1.49 each

I saved $33.00

2- packages of Carefree liners (regular price $1.09)

on sale 10/$10 at Kroger

I used 50¢ off coupons that doubled to $1 off, so I got them for FREE!!

I saved $2.19

4 2L Sundrop (sale price 2 for $3 @ Kroger)

I used 4- $1 off coupons

I paid $2 for all 4

I saved $4 for sure, I don't remember their shelf price

3 boxes of Capri Suns regular price $2.99 (sale price $1.99 w/Mega event @ Kroger)

I used 75¢/3 coupon

I paid $5.22 for all 3

I saved $3.75

7 bags of Quaker Quakes regular price $1.99 (sale price 99¢ w/Mega event @ Kroger)

I saved $7

I love keeping these around the house for us to snack on!  They're much better for us than chips!

2 pkgs. of BIC men's disposable razors regular price $6.99 (sale price $4.49 @ Kroger)

I used $3 off coupons and it made them $1.49 each

I paid $2.98

I saved $11.00

8 packages of Stayfree pads on sale 2/$6 at Rite Aid, get $3 +UP wyb 2

I paid $16 and got $12+UP to use on my next transaction AND 4 packages had 50¢ off coupons on them SO....

I paid just $2 for 8 packages of them!  

All of these will be donated!

And from Walgreens:

2 boxes of Tylenol Precise

Bottle of Witch Hazel (FREE after RR)

U by Kotex (99¢ and donation item)

4 packages of Cottonelle toilet paper 12 rolls

The final totals for this week:

Total Retail Value: $214.76

Total OOP cost: $56.04

Total Saved: $158.72 or 74%

I am planning a short trip to the Dollar Store this afternoon!  I need paper towels and can get them pretty cheap!

Another Successful Kroger Trip:-)

Here's what I got today!!

6- canisters of Country Time Lemonade (regular price $3.99)

on sale 10/$10

I used 3- $1/2 MQ

FP: $3 for all 6 canisters

4- packages of BIC Soleil razors (regular price $6.99)

on sale for $4.49 each

I used 4- $3/1 MQ

FP: $1.49 each

2- packages of Carefree liners (regular price $1.09)

on sale 10/$10

I used 2- 50¢/1 MQ which doubled to $1 off

FP: both for FREE!!!

The savings on the receipt isn't 100% right because the savings listed doesn't include the actual shelf price.  I wrote down the shelf prices on these items so I could figure it myself.  

Total Retail value $54.08

Total OOP: $8.96 pre-tax ($11.31 w/tax)

Total Savings of $45.12 or 83%

Today's shopping excursion!

We got some great coupons over the weekend and I wanted to go and grab some great deals that I'd heard about!!  I went to Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Kroger.  Here's what I got!

Rite Aid

8 pkgs of Stayfree pads

Sale price 2 for $6, get $3 +UP wyb 2 

I used:

8- $1/1 MQ's

FP: $16

I got $12+UP to use on my next transaction AND 4 packages had 50¢ off coupons on them SO....

I paid just $2 for 8 packages of them!  All of these will be donated!

Total Retail $31.92

I spent right at $2 after coupons & +UPs

Total Savings of $29.92 or 94%

Walgreens- didn't have everything I wanted today:-(  So my trip was a little messed up and I didn't get to save as much as originally planned.

Transaction #1-

Tylenol Precise $5.99- get $1RR

Witch Hazel $4- get $4RR

U by Kotex $3.99- get $3RR

I used:

$3/1 Tylenol MQ

FP: 10.98

I got $8RR

Transaction #2-

Tylenol Precise $5.99- get $1RR

I used: 

$3/1 Tylenol MQ

FP: 2.99

I got $1RR

Transaction #3-

4 packages of Cottonelle toilet paper 12 rolls

3- fillers that were 3/$1

I used:

$1 off Wags IVC

$9 in RR

FP: 8.00

Total FP: $21.97

Total Retail $47.96

Savings of $25.99 or 54% 

Kroger

6 canisters of Country Time Lemonade regular price $3.99 (sale 10/$10)

4 2L Sundrop (sale price 2 for $3)

3 boxes of Capri Suns regular price $2.99 (sale price $1.99)

7 bags of Quaker Quakes regular price $1.99 (sale price 99¢)

2 pkgs. of BIC men's disposable razors regular price $6.99 (sale price $4.49)

2 pkgs. of BIC women's disposable razors regular price $6.99 (sale price $4.49)

I used:

3- $1/2 Country Time lemonade MQ's 

4- $1/1 2L Sundrop

1- 75¢/3 Capri Suns

2- $3/1 BIC men's razors

2- $3/1 BIC women's razors

Total Retail $80.80

I paid $23.11

Savings of $57.69 or 71%

Final Totals:

Total Retail amount purchased: $160.68

Total savings: $113.60

Total OOP: $47.08

Overall savings:  71%

Saturday Couponing Trip:-)

I found a couple of deals that I wanted to capitalize on before the sale ended tonight.  I needed to stock back up on deodorant and toothbrushes.  So, I started out at Kroger!  They had Colgate toothpaste and toothbrushes for $1 each:-)  My family who've seen my stockpile are probably wondering, why did you go buy more toothpaste when you already have 30 tubes?  Well, would you turn down something that was 100% FREE????  Of course not!  Plus, I donate the extra that I get!  So here's the Kroger breakdown:

4- tubes of Colgate toothpaste

4- Colgate toothbrushes

Total: $8

I used:

4- 50¢/1 Colgate toothpaste {doubled to $1 off}

4- 40¢/1 Colgate toothbrushes {doubled to 80¢ off}

Total Retail: $19.92

I paid: 80¢

I saved 96%

Then I went to Walgreens because I needed to stock up on deodorant for Steven and I.  Thanks to Rite Aid changing their coupon policy back last summer, you can no longer use a BOGO free coupon on a BOGO free sale:-(  So, Walgreens had them on sale this week 2 for $4.  Here's the breakdown:

4- Men's Speed Stick deodorant

4- Lady's Speed Stick deodorant

4- Starbucks energy drinks {On sale $1.49 each}

I used:

4- BOGO free coupons

4- FREE product coupons for Starbucks drinks

Total retail value (before sales): $31.88

I paid: $8

I saved 75%

My total for the day:

Total Retail: $51.80

I paid: $8.80

Total Savings: 83%

Emma's favorite phrases...

Miss Priss is definitely growing up on us:-)  She's saying more words and speaking more clearly on a daily basis.  When you ask her what her name is, she says "Emma Kate" and when you ask her how old she is, she says, "I'm 2."  She's also very obsessed with Elmo and knows that Elmo is 3 and will tell you that too! LOL!!!  Here are some more of her favorite things to say:

When she's studying something: "Hmm (pointer finger to the side of her mouth), Let's See"

When we're putting things on the belt at the grocery store, "No, no, no Mommy, I do it.  I wanna help"

Anytime she sees anything about Big Bang Theory, "Shedon funny Mommy!"

At random times throughout the day, you'll hear her knocking on furniture saying, "Penny, Penny, Penny!"

When you ask her to do something she'll say, "Okay"

She's getting very good at communicating her needs, wants, and frustrations!  She's speaking in sentences and is saying at least 500 words. 

She looks at my belly and tells me that my belly's fat! Which cracks me up, because obviously, it is!!  There's a child growing in there!  She knows that her brother is in there and comes up and will give him kisses and say "Hi Bubba Haydnen"

Other favorite things to say:

Yeehaw

Awesome

corn- pop (quoting Strawberry Shortcake)

Her favorite things to watch:

Strawberry Shortcake (or cake-cake, as she calls her)

Anything Elmo/Sesame Street (she can name every character and every person on the show!)

Big Bang Theory, of course.  She thinks Sheldon is hilarious and knows half of their names. 

Anything on Sprout!!!  Especially Caillou, The Wiggles, Angelina Ballerina, and DirtGirlWorld (which I despise)

Her favorite songs to sing:

"Elmo's Song"

"I'm Elmo and I know it"

"Bye Bye Binky" (from Elmo's By Bye Pacifier DVD)

"Soft Kitty" from Big Bang Theory

The song from one of the Sprout commercials

The songs from Strawberry Shortcake

Any song from the radio that she knows

Most precious moments:

She's now started saying "Love you too"

She says Mommy instead of Momma

She can say Alden, Avery, and Hayden's names very plainly

Every time that Lady Antebellum's song, "Dancing Away With my Heart" comes on, she has to run and find her pink stuffed elephant from Carter's and dance with it until the song ends!

She says please and thank you at the appropriate times.

She's got one heck of a sense of humor and keeps us laughing!  She's very independent and likes to do things on her own.  If she can't figure something out, she gets very frustrated with herself (maybe a little perfectionism coming out, which she gets from me.)  She's very loving and loves giving hugs to anyone who wants, needs or didn't know they needed/wanted a hug!  She loves to play in her room, color, finger paint, and help Mommy when asked (which is awesome!!!)  

Rite Aid trip 5/1/12

Originally, I had planned a big trip for yesterday to Rite Aid!  Since my husband's grandfather is in ICU at Centennial in Nashville, we've spent most of our time there this weekend.  So, I cut my list down to the things I really wanted!  I had it where I was going to do 3 transactions and get $13 in +UP rewards to use on my final transaction, but when we got home yesterday afternoon, I was worn out and didn't go so my coupons expired.  Oh well!  I still got what I wanted today and still saved a lot of money:-)  

Here's what I got:

8- bottles of Pantene shampoo/conditioner {original price $4.99 each/sale- 2 for $7}

4- Schick men's shaving creams {original price $3.99each/sale 2 for $5}

Total before sales and coupons $55.88

I used:

4- BOGO Pantene coupons from 4/29 P&G insert

4- 75¢/1 Schick men's shaving cream MQ

FP for all: $21.00 pre-tax

With sale prices and coupons, I saved: $34.88