Sorry ladies...

After watching Oprah last week (the episode on what we could live without), I realized that my shopping/search of good deals, was a little out of control. Even when I had a bazillion of the same items, I was running out to get more, just because it was FREE and because the addict in me just couldn't stop! Yes, it is one of my addictions and I completely LOVE every second of it, but I started thinking, maybe instead of shopping every day, I should try spending that time with my 3 children instead, or heaven forbid, just let the deal go because I didn't need any more! So, after playing some serous head games with myself- I gave myself a $ 30 cash budget for the week and said, when it's gone, it's gone. I told myself for a while, my new goal was to spend as little as possible. We'll see, my life will probably be less exciting now, but for awhile, I think I need a little break. I'm tired of running.

February's Review...

Wow, it takes awhile to add everything up, but after doing the math, here's what February looked like...

Total Spent= $ 157.61/ or $ 39.40 a week
Total Savings= $ 1411.75


(I don't add in my normal shopping trips, like Costco etc.. but those are few anyway. I'm guessing my total would be $ 100 more a month, so around $ 250 a month for EVERYTHING for a family of 5/ or $ 62.50 per week. I'm happy with those numbers. ) I just wish all these fabulous sales would end, so I could shrink my Total spent numbers even more!

Feb 28th deals...

Yesterday was the last day to use my Quiznos coupon, so we headed out to get some dinner. I also printed 2 of the Arby's coupons to use for the kids and Trav. We picked up my small sub, 2 Arby's sandwiches & 2 pops. (For the Arby's, you have to buy a drink to get the FREE sandwich. So we paid $ 1.69 x 2 pops= $ 3.38)

Total Spent= $ 3.38
Total Savings= $ 11.97

Feb 27th deals...

What is it about FREE foil that can get a girl so excited?? I made a quick trip to Walgreens to grab 2 more boxes of foil & candy bars.
To my surprise, they wouldn't let me use my manufactured coupon with the in store coupon for the candy bars, he said I had to pay for at least 1 of them. Whatever. Maybe something new? Who knows with that store, I didn't fight it though, (I already got 6 the other day). The funny thing was is he looked at the foil knowing I had coupons and said, I'll have to price adjust those to a dollar, but you can still use your coupon, so they'll be free. " okay, " I poiltely said, thinking to myself, what's the difference then with the candy bars?? Goof ball. I just don't care too much these days, so I walked out with my FREE foil and bag of gummy bears.

Total Spent= .83
Total Savings=$ 2.82

Feb 25th deals...

I made a trip to Albertson's this morning to use my $ 10.00 catalina, I love FREE money!! It was expiring within the week, so I grabbed a few things...

* 2 boxes of Saltine crackers (on sale for .97 with in store coupon/paid .47 each after using
$ 1.00/2 manufactured coupon given to me at the store)
* 3 pounds of hamburger (on sale for $ 1.99 a pound)
* 6 Reach dental floss (on sale for $ 1.00/used 6 1.00 off manufactured coupons) = FREE
* 2 bags of shredded cheese (on sale for $ 1.48 each with in store coupon)
* 6 boxes of Mac N Cheese (on sale 3 for $ 1.00)
* 3 chicken pot pies (on sale 3 for $ 1.00) I'VE BEEN CRAVING THESE LIKE CRAZY!!
* 3 cans of tomato soup (yes, I bought soup!! But I needed it for the kids.) (on sale 3 for $ 1.00)
* 1 pack of Venus razors (on clearance for $ 2.24/used $ 2.00 off manufactured coupon) = .24


Total Spent= $ 5.50
Total Savings= $ 50.79

Feb 23rd deals...

This was my trip to Walgreens today. I bought:

* 3 bags of gummy bears (used in store coupon) = $ 2.00 for all
* 6 candy bars (used 3 B1G1 FREE manufactured coupons & in store coupon)= FREE
*2 boxes of foil (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon & in store coupon)= .22 OVERAGE
* 8 packages of gardening seeds (used in store coupon) $ 1.60 for all

***JUST A NOTE: WHEN SHOPPING AT WALGREENS, ALWAYS GIVE THE CASHIER YOUR MANUFACTURED COUPONS FIRST, AND THEN YOUR IN STORE COUPONS!!!

Total Spent=$ 3.87
Total Savings= $ 11.61

This was my trip to Rite Aid. I bought:
* 10 Soyjoy bars (used 5 B1G1 FREE coupons/& $ 5.00 rebate) = FREE plus $ 3.75 OVERAGE
* 1 shampoo (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon & $ 2.99 rebate) = $ FREE plus $ 1.00 OVERAGE
* 2 boxes of tampons (used 2 .75 off manufactured coupons & / $ 2.00 rebate) = $ 1.25 each

Total Spent= $ 8.58 ( will recieve $ 9.99 in rebates)
Total Savings= $ 16.24

K-mart trip (all coupons are doubled this week):

* 1 24 roll of Scott toilet paper (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon) = $ 3.50
* 2 Swiffer dusters (used $ 2.00 off manufactured coupon) = .79 each
* 4 boxes of Bayer asprin ( used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon) = FREE
* 1 reach dental floss (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon) = FREE
* 2 Chinet plastic plates (used $ 1.00 off manufacturd coupon) = .50 each
* 4 Secret deodorants (used $ 2.00 off manufactured coupon) = .29 each
* 1 dentex flossers (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon) = .99
* 2 packages of pepperoni (used .35 off manufactured coupon/clearanced to $ 1.24)= .74 each

Total Spent= $ 10.15
Total savings= $ 53.08

Fred Meyer trip:

* 7 packages of Cottonalle toilet paper on sale .79 each (used 5 .50 off manufactured & 1 .75/2)= .29 or .40 each

Total spent= $ 2.62
Total Savings= $ 4.31


Total savings= $ 85.24

Feb 2oth deals...

We opened a box of fruit snacks today and we were an instant winner! We won a $ 5.00 Discover gift card!! I love it!

Feb 2oth deals...

I'M DONE WITH THIS SALE!!! I AM STOCKED UP! My coupons came this afternoon, so I picked up my last 40 cans of soup. (They don't expire for 2 years) I figure we eat soup & sandwiches twice a month/4 cans a month, so I have at least a year 1/2 worth of soup now!

40 cans of progresso soup

Total Spent= $ 13.60
Total savings= $ 119.29

Feb 2oth deals...

I think this was my last trip to Albertson's (except I'll have to get my soup after my coupons arrive. I bought 20 coupons off E bay, so when they come, I'll make 1 more trip!) I'm really stocked up now, I was before, but we go through stuff so fast and the expiration dates last for a long time, so I couldn't help myself!
This morning I bought:

* 6 boxes of supreme brownies
* 4 boxes of lemon squares
* 5 boxes of granola bars
* 5 boxes of fruit snacks
* 5 bags of chex mix
* 3 toaster strudels
* 2 warm delights

Total Spent= $ 11.50 (still have a 10.00 catalina)
Total Savings=$ 81.57

Feb 19th deals...

I made another Albertson's trip to get my 12 FREE cans of Progresso soup!!!! And free fruit snacks!! ( I made .50 to take home 6 boxes of fruit snacks! My store had $ 1.00 off /2 coupons, so i used 3 of those and then recieved a $ 3.50 coupon at the end!)
(for the soup coupons: go to www.krazycouponlady.blogspot.com, scroll to the post titled: Printables Galore! and you can print them from there. Make sure to print 2 of each coupon) And I picked up 2 boxes of lemon bars. (That was almost $ 36.00 worth of FREE soup!! Who can spend full price on anything???)

Total Spent= $ 3.54 (tax included. Does anyone else hate tax???)
Total savings= $ 53.60

Feb 18th deals...

I went to Albertson's again this afternoon to help Annikan get her deals & had to pick up a few more things! I bought:

69 cans of Grands bisquits
(I have a lot of friends who don't coupon
who will love me for getting them some & the Rescue Mission)
4 Progresso soups
6 brownie mixes
1 cake mix

Total Spent= $ 10.53 (I still have a $ 10.00 catalina too!)
Total Savings= $ 217.64

Feb 18th deals...

*** JUST A LITTLE TIP: If there are items you want to stock up on, go to E bay soon, and buy 10-20 of the coupons you want, they should be here before the sale ends and then you can get more deals! I bought 20 Progresso soup coupons off E bay yesterday because I need to stock up on my year supply of soup***

What a beautiful trip to Albertson's this morning! The deal going on right now is- buy 10 participating items/receive a $ 10.00 coupon good on your next purchase! The awesome thing about Albertson's, is that you can use the $ 10.00 off coupon you just received, on your next transaction! (You don't have to leave the store and come back to do another transaction- you just seperate your 10 items, buy those, grab your coupon, put your next 10 items up, use your $ 10.00 off coupon, pay for that, etc... I did 9 transactions and used my $ 10.00 off coupon for each one. Then, on your last transaction, you still receive another $ 10.00 coupon to use later! it's wonderful!!! The totals for these deals are after you factor in the $ 10.00 coupon- so... this is what I bought:

20 cans of Progresso soup (used 10 .50/2 manufactured coupons= .25 each)
18 boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks (used .50/2 manufactured & .75/3 printables & recieved $ 3.50 coupon for every 5 I bought) =.25 each
30 cans of PillsburyGrands bisquits (used 10 .75/3 coupons)= FREE
10 boxes of Betty Crocker cake mixes (No coupons needed.) =.25 each
5 Betty Crocker cookie pouches (used 5 .50 off coupons) = .17 each
5 tubs of Betty Crocker frosting (used 5 .50 off manufactured coupons) = .17 each
2 boxes of Supreme Brownies (used 1 .50/2 manufactured coupon) = .75 each

Total Spent= $ 12.05
Total savings= $ 207.68

Feb 16th deals...

***JUST A NOTE... I don't to mis lead anyone about the K-mart deal I did last night. Just so you know, it is VERY rare that a store will pay you in cash, normally if OVERAGE is earned, it goes toward your other purchases. Also, I did not do this deal, knowing/expecting to recieve any $ back. I thought they were .99 each. I did know, however, that I would make .20 overage (.01 for each bottle & I picked up 20), which is why I bought a candy bar as my "filler item", so I wouldn't come out ahead, but I had no idea, they were actually .50 each instead, causing me to go -$ 8.69. But after the manager looked it over, and okayed the transaction, it was fine. I just wanted to clarify for those of you just starting out: don't expect to recieve $ back from a store. Like I mentioned before, if you do receive OVERAGE, it will be applied to your other items, I hope that helps!***


We stopped by Target tonight to let Daisy pick out a present with some of her B-day money. I picked up 4 goldfish for .16 each (using 2 $ 1.00/2 manufactured coupons & 4 Target printable coupons) 1 bag of Stacy's pita chips for $ 1.00 after using my $ 1.50 off manufactured coupon & 1 barbie movie.
Total Spent= .86 (after gift card)
Total savings = $ 12.75

Then we went to K Mart so I could pick up some FREE Sunsilk conditioner (they are .99 each and I used 10 $ 2.00/2 manufactured coupons. After she was done ringing me up it showed
- $ 8.69. I looked closer and saw that the conditioner rang up at .50 instead, I tried explaining, but she couldn't figure it out, so she called the manager over, she looked it over and said, "Yes, give her $ 8.69 back." Well, fine by me! 20 FREE bottles of conditioner, a FREE Twix candy bar & $ 8.69 in CASH BACK!!! It was a great night (that never happens by the way, but the manager okayed it, they will get their $ 20.00 reinbursment back from the coupons, so its a win/win!!!)

Total Spent= 0 ( RECIEVED $ 8.69 IN CASH BACK!!!!)
Total Savings= $ 20.47

Feb 16th deals...

JUST A NOTE: The 2 pack Lysol's are on sale for $3.99 or $ 2.00, all you need for this deal is the $ 2.00 off Lysol manufactured coupon. You will pay $ 1.99 or 0 (you'll have to pay tax) This isn't apart of the B1G1 FREE deal going on at the same time. I will try to be more clear in my posts!


I had to go back out to the other Walgreens to see if they had any more Lysol 2 packs, and they did! I went up with 3 of them, 2 blue cans and 1 yellow can- I noticed that one of them rang up for $ 2.00, I asked the cashier and she said the yellow cans were clearanced! Well, alrighty! FREE Lysol is even better!! I put the blue ones back and picked up 2 more yellow cans. I paid .36 for 3 packages! I went back later and picked up 1 more for 1.99. (they were out of the 2 pack yellow ones, although they had single cans, I still wonder if those would ring up $2.00 or not, but I have enough, so I'll let someone else get that deal!) Use your $ 2.00 off manufactured coupon for this deal!

Next I went to Walmart and picked up my last 6 FREE Kotex! Thank Heaven I am done with those coupons! I had 55 of them, so over the past month I've grabbed a handful every time I went to Walmart, I am happily done!

Total Spent= $ 2.84 (including tax)
Total savings= $ 25.17

Feb 16th deals...

This morning I stopped at Target & Walgreen's. I was SUPER disappointed with Target's Valentines clearanced stuff. They had everything at 50% off, except for the candy, it was only 30%. I even asked the guy and he said, "nope, the candy is only 30%. That was the only reason I drug myself out of bed was to get some Twix, which I've been craving (and I didn't even see any!), oh well, I saved money right? At Target I did pick up:

8 First aid kits =.97 each (used $ 1.00 manufactured coupon)= FREE/.03 OVERAGE
1 package of Dentex flossers for the kids = $ 2.59 (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon)= $ 1.59
1 pack of 10 count kids socks= $ 1.51 (clearanced)
1 pack of salt/pepper= .99
1 pack of lightbulbs= $ 1.14
Total Spent = 0 (used gift card)
Total Savings= $ 14.83

Walgreens

2 packs of Lysol/wipes= $ 3.99 (used 2/$ 2.00 off manufactured coupons) = $ 1.99 each
1 gallon of Viva milk= $ 2.99
1 carrot chapstick= FREE/.14 OVERAGE (used 2 printable coupons.)
Total Spent= $ 1.50 (after coupons/RR)
Total Savings= $ 14.60

Total Spent= $ 1.50
Total savings= $ 29.43

Feb 14th deals...

Today was my first day out in a few days (I've been sick with some sort of bizarre flu. My doctor thinks it affected the nerves on my right side which caused a bunch of weird/scary side effects which almost landed us in the hospital, but I'm starting to feel better, just super weak/achy. NOT FUN. )
Anyway, I made a few stops because the guilt of not getting anything for Valentines day was eating at me, so the kids and I picked up some Valentine treats, balloons & pizza for Daddy to have when he gets off work tonight. (And we're decorating cookies and writing love notes)

I had to pick up some more easy meals at Albertson's, because lately, making food has just hasn't been working out. The Marie calendar's are really yummy and $ 1.20 sounds fine to me. They are apart of the spend $ 25.00/get $ 10.00 back deal.

Total Spent= $ 26.50 (got $ 10.00 catalina)
Total Savings= $ 36.77
Every holiday, the kids pick out an obsene amount of junk food for their Father, and since I had a ton of RR's at Walgreens, I let them pick out the treats there. I also found my other Progresso soup coupon which made it .15

Total Spent= .53 (used $ 5.00 RR)
Total Savings= $ $ 6.84
I got a rain check for the chicken that was $ 4.99 at Albertson's last week, because I knew I would be getting a $10.00 RR on my other deals and I thought chicken wouldbe great to get using my "free money" I picked up 2 bags and some lunch meat
Total Spent=$ 1.63 (after $ 10.00 catalina)
Total Savings=$ 19.00

Feb 11th deals...

I went to Walgreens this morning and picked up 5 bottles of Scrubbing bubbles (used printable $ 3.00/2 coupon &$ 1.00 off manufactured/plus there's a rebate for $ 2.00/2) 5 boxes of band aids (some were Walgreens brand clearanced to .87/some Band Aid brand which I used manufactured $ 1.00 off coupon) 1 Fusion razor used $ 4.00 off manufactured coupon/plus recieve $6.00 RR) 1 bottle of Johnson & Johnson baby oil clearanced to $ 1.00/used .75 off manufactured/flyer coupon, 3 toothpastes on sale for .99 each/used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon, 1 box of Aka Seltzer & 1 box of anti itch cream for.75

Total Spent= .26 (after RR's & rebates)
Total savings=$ 57.76
I stopped at WalMart to pick up my free items: 5 Kotex, 8 first aid kits & 5 Well patch's. I made .39 OVERAGE!

Total spent= $ .67 (the left over tax)
Total Savings= $ 18.00

I stopped at Albertson's to get a few sale items that started today. When you spend $ 25.00/you get $ 10.00 catalina, so after that, the ketchup was .60 each, I bought 8 bottles (which I needed my year supply of), We love the Marie Calendars, so I bought 6 of those which ended up being
$ 1.20 each & 5 puddings for .60 each.

Total Spent= $ 16.50 (after $ 10.00 catalina)
total Savings= $ 30.31

Feb 10th deals...

I made 1 last trip to Albertson's tonight before their double coupon promotion ended and picked up some toilet paper for .15 each. (I used the $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon that came out in Sunday's paper.)

Total Spent= $ 1.76
Total Savings=$ 16.00

Feb 10th deals...

I stopped by Rite Aid today on my way to work and picked up these 2 bottles of mousse. After the rebate, I will make .39 OVERAGE.

Total Spent=$ 0 (after rebate)
Total Savings= $ 4.98

Feb 10th deals...

I picked up 8 toothpastes today at Walgreen's (not 16 that are pictured, sorry. The picture was for another site I help with) They were FREE and made $ 4.00 OVERAGE!

I went to www.goodorfreedeals.blogspot.com and scrolled down to her Walgreens post and clicked on the Colgate toothpaste link. You can print as many coupons as you want, and for every 2 you get, you recieve a $ 1.00 RR for your next purchase!)

NEW INFO***

THIS IS A FAKE COUPON. DO NOT USE!!! SO SORRY!!) THERE ARE PRINTABLE COUPONS DIRECTLY FROM COLGATES WEBSITE. OR WE HAVE $ 1.00 OFF MANUFACTURED ONES FROM THE PAPER!

Total Spent=$ 0 (made $ 3.28 OVERAGE after tax and RR's)
Total Savings= $ 19.92
These were .99 each after my double coupons at Albertson's. These are my favorite!

Total Spent= $ 3.33
Total savings= $ 7.80

Feb 9th deals...

Chelsea & I stopped at Walgreens & Albertson's tonight. At Walgreens I got a Fusion razor and pmade $ 1.01 OVERAGE and 4 FREE things of toothpaste and made $ 1.00 OVERAGE. At Albertson's I got 6 things of nail polish using double coupons for.50 each.

Total SPent= $ 2.06 (including tax & after RR's)
Total Savings=$ 33.26

Feb 9th deals...

This morning I stopped at Walgreens & Albertson's before leaving for work. And then I stopped at Walmart after work for party stuff. At Walgreens I got: 4 FREE boxes of toothpaste (and made $ 1.oo OVERAGE), 2 FREE things of Windex wipes (after internet coupon and rebate at the end of the month), & 1 can of soup for .15. Then I stopped at Albertsons for 4 FREE things of napkins & Walmart for 5 FREE packages of Kotex.

Total Spent= $ 0 (made .31 OVERAGE after RR & rebates)
Total= $ 35.94

Feb 6th deals...

Trav picked up Papa Murphy's tonight because I was NOT about to cook. He used the FREE cheesy bread coupon (I took their phone survey!) 2 minutes is worth my time for those cheesy treats!

Total Spent= 0
Total savings = $ 3.49 (I think that's the normal price)

Feb 5th deals...

Daisy & I stopped at Mc Donalds Thursday night after ballet class and had dinner for FREE.

Total Spent= 0 (used gift card)
Total savings =$ 3.59

Feb 7th deals...

I had to get out of the house, so I make 2 quick trips tonight. First I went to Albertson's to pick up some more FREE items! I was able to get 2 more kids shampoo for FREE using the $ 1.00 off internet coupon (then Albertson's doubled it, so I made .1 OVERAGE off each one, 1 FREE bag of rice cakes (used manufactured $ 1.00 off coupon/Albertson's doubled, so I made .01 OVERAGE, 2 bottles of shaving cream clearanced to .57 each, they would have been .02 each, but but because I made .03 OVERAGE on the other items, I ended up only paying .01 TOTAL for both of them! (I used 2 .55 off manufactured coupons-no doubling needed) and 1 box of YO Plus yogurt, for .50 (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon/Albertson's doubled). Then I went to Wal Mart and picked up my FREE bottle of Suave body wash (my coupon came in the mail today! I had to sign up online last month for it) & 10 packages of Kotex for FREE (used $ 1.00 off manufactured coupon) I only paid .51 + tax for all this! Everything was FREE except the .50 yogurt and .01 shaving creams!

Total Spent= $ 1.56 (I hate tax!)
Total Savings= $ 28.36