..
You read that right.....I bought all of this (plus the margarine I forgot to take back out of the fridge) for just $7.48 out of pocket!!!! Of the $7.48, $5.07 of that was sales tax) The actual total after coupons was $32.48, but I had a $25 Kroger card to spend as part of my current blogspark.
It's one of the Mega Event weeks, where if you buy 10 of the items on the list you get an additional $5 off your total. I bought 40 of the items.
Please note I am subtracting the additional .50 off for buying the 10 items off each item. My store doubles coupon up to $1 off total.
Mega event items:
12-Temptations Cat Treats--.91 each, used 11-.55 coupons doubled to $1 (I had 12 coupons, but once home realized one of them didn't scan) FREE with 8 cents overage.
2-Birdseye vegetables-$1.49 each, used 1-.50 coupon doubled to $1, so $1.49 and .99 each. (I had in my mind that I printed 2 coupons, but one home remembered the 2nd coupon hadn't printed)
2-Hot Pockets, $1.49 each, used 2-.50 coupons doubled to $1, .49 each.
1-Wolf Chili--.75--used .50 coupon doubled to $1 FREE plus .25 overage.
4-Carnation Evaporated milk--.49 each, used 2-.50/2 coupons--FREE plus 4 cents overage
1-Armour meatballs--$1.99--used .55 coupon doubled to $1--.99
5-Krusteaz Cookie Mix--.99 each--used 5-$1 coupons--FREE pus 5 cents overage.
2-Barilla Pasta--$1.49--used buy 1 get 1 free coupon--register took off full price of $2.19 so I paid .79 for both.
3-Gillette deoderant--$3.50 each--used 2 $2 coupons and a buy 2 get 1 free coupon--register took off $4.95 for the coupon so I paid just 5 cents for each one!
2-Chex Cereal--$1.79--used $1/2 coupon--$1.29 each
2-Ziploc Freezer bags--$1.99 each--used $1/2 coupon--$1.49 each
1 Wesson Oil--$1.99--used .40 coupon doubled to .80--$1.19
1-Best Life Spread--$1.49--used $1 coupon--.49
2-Tidy Cat litter--$1.89--used 2-$1 coupons--.89 each
Other purchases:
Kroger peanut butter--$1.65
Kroger chocolate chips--$1.99
Kroger 12 pack soda--$2--used .50 coupon--$1.50
2-Duracell battery 4 packs, on sale for $1.98--used 2-$1.50 coupons--.48 each.
Kroger Powdered Sugar $1.43
Idahoan potatoes--$1--used .40 coupon doubles to .80--.20
Carnation Instant Breakfast--on sale for $4.29--used $1 coupon--$3.29
2 dozen eggs-on sale for $1.50 each, used .55 coupon doubled to $1--$1 per dozen.
My receipt says that I saved 75%, which includes sale prices plus coupons used. ($94.12 savings)
I used $44.74 in coupons plus the extra $20 off for a total savings of $64.74 not including the sale prices.
Want to know more about the $25 Kroger gift card that I had to use? It's part of my next blogspark prize pack with Chex cereal that will be offered for giveaway on my blog! Watch for the giveaway in the next couple of days.
Even if I hadn't had the Kroger gift card, spending $32.48 for all of it would have still been great. Some things I would not have bought though as they are ingredients to go with my blog post coming up.
Time to announce the winner of the Old El Paso Family taco night gift pack.....
Winner will receive what is pictured below:
Without further ado, the winner is....
and comment 32 came from....
.....
......
......
Well....I scoured blogs most of Sunday looking for what might be good deals at Walgreen's. I got some ideas. Remember, I had $41.23 total in 12 Jingle Cash (register rewards) to play with.
I put together a list....it would have cost me too much in the long run. I took off a couple of things that I really wanted and replaced them with cheap fillers.
I headed to Walgreen's this morning, in hopes that everything on my list was in the store. It was, but I had the Motions Hair Care on my list. No coupons, but buying 3 for $10 would have given me back $5 in Jingle Cash. Once there I realized it was in the ethnic section, so decided against getting it. Of course, that messed up my list, but I decided to just head on to the register with coupons in hand, and just use as many of the Jingle Cash that the register would allow me to use. (you can't use them to cover any part of the sales tax.)
In the end I spent $5.22, of which $4.28 of that was sales tax. I still have $6.99 total in Jingle Cash to use, and I got $16 total in Jingle Cash from this transaction.
I know that many do several transactions, but for me that is too confusing so I try to just done one. (Unless I am sending Jasmine and/or Steve through the line for a really great deal)
I'm kicking myself as I scanned everything for homescan and put it all away without taking a photo!! ugh!!
Here is what I came home with:
Life Cereal and Cap'n Crunch Cereal--on sale 2 for $5, with $2 back in Jingle Cash
2-Walgreen's Pantyliners, on sale for 2 for $1 with Walgreen's coupon
2-Vick's Sinex, on sale 2 for $10. I used 2-$4 off coupons and got back $5 in Jingle Cash. I also combined a buy 2 Vick's products get Free Puffs coupon with the purchase so got a box of Puffs free.
3-Disney Mini Puzzles--on sale for .39 each with Walgreen's coupon
2-Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice, on sale 2 for $6, used $2/2 coupon and $1/2 Walgreen's coupon
Salonpas Pain Patches, $5.99 with $6 back in Jingle Cash
40 ct security envelopes, on sale for .59 with Walgreen's coupon
1 Reese's snack size 19.75 oz and 1 Kisses Candy Cane 17.80 oz, on sale 2 for $8, used $1 coupon and got back $2 in Jingle Cash
3 Eclipse Gum, on sale 3 for $2 and got back $1 in Jingle Cash
Carmex lip balm, on sale for $1 with Walgreen's coupon, used .30 coupon
Gillette Fusion Power Glide razor, on sale for $9.99, used $4 coupon and got back $4 in Jingle Cash (OMG! I just realized I didn't get the $4 Jingle Cash for buying the razor...will have to stop in and ask about it)
Dawn Dish soap, on sale for .99 with Walgreen's coupon and used .25 coupon.
Receipt shows that I saved $3.51 with WAG coupons
$19.80 on sale items and
$52.28 in manufacturer's coupons!!! Total savings of $75.59.
Let me figure, not including taking off for the advertised prices, just the savings in Walgreen's and Manufacturers coupons, I saved a whopping $55.79!!
Help me out here please. My brain is not in a math mood and for the life of me I can't remember how to figure what my percentage savings is. I would like to know both including the savings with sale prices as well as not including the savings with sale prices please. (and when the receipt shows the savings, does that take into consideration the $4.28 in sales tax or not? If not, I would have only spent .94 without sales tax.) Thanks!!!
Whew! Today's WIP has been finding time to be on the computer! after 1:30 pm and I am finally finding time.
WIP Wednesday, where in conjunction with Every Day Crochet we share our works in progress. I hope you will click the button at the end of my post to join in on the fun and list your own post....or check out what others are up to.
Remember, your WIP don't have to be crafts, they can be virtually anything.
I tried to get busy this last week on things. I didn't get done all I wanted, but I did do a lot!
I am on my quest to fill this jar with dish scrubbies to be ready for the monster garage sale in March. Selling some along the way, as I have been doing is a major plus!
I worked on the hot pads that I am making for Christmas gifts. I found that I don't have enough of the insulbrite material for the insides to finish what I need....and I will have to also take the covers off the other cushions on the old futon as I didn't have enough from one set for my backings.
I got busy and thought I would get that strip quilt top completed before sewing club at church next week. What I found is that I shorted myself 2 of the 12 inch squares....and even if I hadn't I didn't bring home enough of the longer strips to make them anyway. So, the first thing I will work on next week is making the other 2 squares and completing the top.
Other things that I did was to complete the order that included the 5 fabric bags. I then took photos of the bags and went ahead and put them into my etsy store. My etsy store is and will always be a work in progress as I hope to continue to build it up. I got my first order!! It's for one of the fabric bags. I got the material cut and ironed for the bag. Heading in next to get it sewn. I like to get my orders out ASAP.
The holiday is quickly approaching. I did get our tree put up, and decorated. I got out some of my stash of gifts to start wrapping....that's as far as that got time wise. I am being pulled away from home most all day each day (yes, causing me extreme anxiety too! )
Here is a photo of our little tree. I bought most all the decorations from our Christmas sale at church. We bought the tree for $19.99 on sale at Walgreens. Please excuse all the junk around it. We have a very small living room and I had to squeeze the tree in a corner in front of the movie shelf.
November has been National Adoption Month with November 20th being National Adoption Day in the US.
Adopted Ed by Darren Maddern is a sweet book all about Ed. The pictures are adorable that go along with the story of how Ed finds out that he is adopted.....how he is teased at school.....how he asks his parents about his real parents.
A little about my own family. The only adopted child in my family in my niece. My brother and his wife got her in foster care when she was just 2 weeks old. 2 1/2 years later when her parents and grandparents either ones weren't able to do what was needed to get her back, she was able to be adopted into our family. She is now in 5th grade. I've heard her asking questions about her real family of late. This is why I wanted in on this book review.
I have 4 children myself. I had each one of them read the book. They all thought it was cute....for the record, their ages are currently 27, 24, 19 and 14. I also read it to a couple of my grandchildren, who insisted that I read it again, as well as they spent a good amount of time looking through the book on their own.
There is a page that all of my adult children just loved. It's pictured below. Also from the photo you will be able to tell how adorable the illustrations are.
The following information is taken from the One2One Network website:
ADOPTED ED is a simple, easy-to-read and understand children’s book with important underlying messages of personal empowerment and social pressures and acceptance.
It focuses on the life of Eddie, an adopted little boy, who is just like every other boy and girl. At school, when he is teased by bullies about being adopted, his mom offers words of wisdom, which ultimately gives him self-confidence to deal with the situation.
You can visit the Adopted Ed website here
You can follow Adopted Ed on twitter here
You can like Adopted Ed on facebook here
Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review, the opinions are my own. I was sent a copy of the book by One2One Network for the purpose of the review and my name will be put into a drawing for a chance to win a gift card.
Having a giveaway? Share it here! Linky is posted each Tuesday and you can add to it until the following Tuesday when the new linky is listed.
Please post giveaway name and ending date. Link directly to the giveaway post, not to your blog home.
Thanks, good luck, and have fun!
(yes, I feel I went overboard, but would have liked to have bought it all!!)
Well....I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to find coupons to match the sales at Walgreen's. As usual, I didn't find all I wanted to, and some that were printable had already reached their limit.
I made a list.......then realized I didn't have time to go yesterday. I didn't stick to the list, adding in extras as I seen them. I couldn't help it knowing how much Jingle Cash I would be getting back.
I woke up this morning and asked Steve to take me. On the way there I asked him how many of the things I wanted to get did he think they would be out of? He guessed probably most of them and so did I. I was pleasantly surprised to find that for a change, they were actually stocked up! In fact, they had all the free after Jingle Cash (what they are calling the register rewards for the holidays) on one end cap. The .99 cent items after Jingle Cash were all on another end cap.
Anyway here is what I got:
Gillette Fusion Pro-Series Skin Care--$5.49 with $5.50 back in Jingle Cash (referred to as JC throughout the rest of this post)
Nivea For Men Shave Gel--$2.99 with $3 back in JC (this is one I couldn't get the coupon for)
A&W Root Beer 2 ltr. on sale for .99 with .99 back in JC
Old Spice Fresh Collection Body Spray--$3.99 with $4 back in JC (another one I couldn't find the buy 1 get 1 free coupon they said was out)
Secret Scent Sensations Body Splash--$3.49 with $3.50 back in JC
Scunci Hair Elastics $1.99 with $2 back in JC
Just for Men 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner--$4.99, used $2 coupon and got back $5 in JC
Gum Eez-Thru Flossers 90 pack (my pack is bonus of 120) $2.25, used .75 coupon and got back $2.25 in JC
Advil PM 4 ct--.99 and got back .99 JC
Thermacare Heat Wraps--$2.49, used $1 coupon, got back $2.50 in JC
Olay Body Wash--$3.49, used $1 coupon, got back $2.50 in JC
Cover Girl Mascara $3.99, used $1 coupon, got back $2 in JC
Bic Soleil Disposable razors--$2.99, used $2 coupon and got back $2 in JC
Noxema skin care scrub--$3.99, got back $3 in JC
Right Guard Total Defense--$2.99--used buy 1 get 1 free coupon to get an extra one free, got back $2 in JC
I also bought a Nivea for Men Body wash and Nivea for Women Body wash. I had a rain check from a previous sale of 2 for $5. I then used a $3 coupon and a $2 coupon making them free.
So....yikes! My total was $44.87 after using $15.74 in coupons. I use the $10 gift card I had gotten in from mypoints. I paid the rest of out of my paypal. $4.52 of my total was sales tax.
I now have a total of 15 Jingle Cash's, totaling a value of $41.23.
This is going to be a challenge to use these. Those who use RR's know that the ones from the Proctor and Gamble products don't allow you to use them on P&G products. Plus, they have to be used by Dec. 10 when they expire.
So, I am now on a mission to get all my coupons cut and filed. Then I will watch for what is on sale and what I can get the best deals with, hopefully not paying much more than the sales tax, and getting back more to spend later. When I said back in business with Walgreen's, that is what I meant....to be able to keep turning them in to more while getting great deals along the way.
Earlier this week Steve and I went to Walgreen's and bought the 6 ft. Pre-Lit Christmas tree that is on sale for $19.99. We also bought the wrapping paper on sale buy one roll for $1.99 get 2 rolls free. I put the tree up today. It's nice to have a bit of a larger one than the 3 ft one we borrowed last year from his sister. It's a skinny tree, so I found a corner to fit it in.
P.S. The majority of what I bought will be included in with Christmas gifts that I give.
I've been wanting to read Wow! You Saved How Much? by Renita Perrone ever since I found out she was writing the book!
I'm excited to be able to do this review and giveaway.
This book is straight forward and realistic on teaching you how you can save hundreds of dollars each month. Savings not only on groceries, but non-food items as well!
As put to me by the author--she's not added much "fluff" to the book.
I printed out the ebook and now have it in a folder. The book includes pages at the end to take notes on.
The book is not only about how to make the most out of using coupons and sales, but also many other ways to save money. There are pages of many little things that you can do to save money. Little changes that mean a lot to your pocketbook.
If you are new to using coupons, I recommend this book! If you are a seasoned coupon user, I still highly recommend this book. It will motivate you to keep going!
I started using coupons, and doing refunds in 1982. That was the year I got married. My mom was highly into coupons and refunds. She set me up with a box of coupons as well as refund forms. She even included proofs of purchase I needed to get started with the refunding. I've been hooked every since.
With today's economy, are you doing all you can to save?
Renita is allowing me to give away a copy of her ebook to one of my lucky blog readers. See below for details on how you can win. ******Just in!!****** Renita has decided to allow me to give away one hard copy of "Wow! You Saved How Much?" AND 2 copies of the ebook. Three winners! Woo hoo!! First chosen will receive the hard copy, second and third chosen will receive the ebooks.
Giveaway rules: This giveaway starts Friday November 26, and will end Friday December 10, 2010 at 9 pm CST.
Winner will be chosen using random.org. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me, or another winner will be chosen. Make sure that at least one of your comments has a way for me to contact you if you win.
Mandatory entry: Visit http://wowyousavedhowmuch.com/ .
Come back and tell me something you learned, or a coupon story of your own.
Bonus entries: (leave one comment for each extra entry)
1. Visit Renita's blog The Savings Habit AND subscribe while you are there. Leave her a message that you were sent over by Marsha's Spot.
2. Follow my blog publicly with google friend connect.
3. Post this giveaway on twitter, facebook, your own blog, social networking sites, etc. This can be done up to 4 times throughout the giveaway for up to 4 entries. Please leave link to each one you post to.
4. Visit My Coupon/Refund Story squidoo lens. Leave a comment there to let me know you were there. Please note that comments won't show up until I accept them.
Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review and giveaway. I was sent the Wow! You saved How Much? ebook to read for the purpose of this review and giveaway.
I'm currently in an online Black Friday party. I invite you to join us!
Some of us sponsors are offering good deals as well as there are links to numerous merchants for great deals.
And hey, with each purchase, you are put in to the drawing to win prizes!! If you remember, last year I ended up winning the grand prize from this party, which was worth about $150!
Join us in the chatroom here: http://www.computermoneymakers.com/chatroom.htm
Click here to find out more about us sponsors as well as prizes available to win: http://www.computermoneymakers.com/blk2010.htm
and, this page will show you alphabetically all the great deals that are offered online right now! http://www.computermoneymakers.com/blfirpend.htm
I hope you will at least pop in and chat for a bit throughout the day. That's always fun. You don't need to be a member of piepoints to participate in the party...(but if you are, you do earn points per dollar on purchases) you will still get entries in for the prize drawings with purchase.
Hope to see you there!
