Walgreens

So, I made another trip this week to Walgreens to use up my RRs from the previos trip. I've officially decided I am done shopping at Walgreens. They never have anything in stock and their coupon policy is downright rediculous. My understanding was that the RRs were like cash to use, only to find out they were manufactures coupons and I could not use the other coupons I had for the products I was buying. It seems like there can be a lot of savings at Walgreens but there is so much fine print it has become not worth it to me. And to top it off I was suppose to get another $3 RR after my purchases which I did not get and the cashier was unwilling to help me understand why. I still don't understand why, I've looked over and over again as to why I wouldn't recieve it and it doesn't make sense.
I'm beyond frustrated, so Walgreens will not be getting my business anymore.

Albies doubler trip 5/29

Here are my 8 transactions for 5/29, I'm planning on going back for a few more tomorrow:

*prices listed are AFTER preferred savings*

Transaction #1:

* 6 Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce - $1.29/each

(used 2 $1/3 coupons SS 5/22 and 2 doublers = $0.62/each)

* 2 Clorox bleach - $1.69/each

(used 2 $0.75/1 coupons found here and 1 double = $0.38 for both)

* 2 French's mustard 20 oz. - $1.49/each

(used 2 $0.30/1 coupons found in SS 4/10 or SS 5/15 = $1.19/each)

+ recieved $5 instant savings for buying 10 products!

Total for transaction (before taxes) - $ 2.25! 91% savings!

Transaction #2 and #3:

* 6 Zone nutrition bars - $1/each

(used 6 $0.55/1 coupons from RP 5/22 and 6 doublers = FREE)

Both of these transactions came to a $0 balance so all we had to pay was the $0.18 tax each!

Transaction #4 and #5:

* 6 Weber marinade packets - $1.59 each

(used 6 $1/1 coupons SS 5/22 and 6 doublers = FREE)

Again both transactions had a $0 balance so we just paid the $0.18 sales tax each!

Transaction #6:

* 3 French's Worcestershire sauce - $1.59 each

(used 3 $0.75/1 coupons from SS 5/15 and 3 doublers = $0.09 each)

Total before tax = $0.27, after = $0.42! 91% savings!

Transaction #7:

* 6 packages of Bar S franks - $1 each

(used 3 $1/2 coupons from RP 5/22 and 3 doublers = FREE)

We paid $0.18 after sales tax.

Transaction #8:

* 2 Clorox toilet cleaners - $1.69 each

(used 2 $0.75/1 coupons found here and doublers = $0.19/each)

* 1 Chinet paper plates - $2.50

(used $1/1 coupon found here and a doubler = $0.50)

Total before taxes = $0.88, after = $1.09! 89% savings!

For all of these groceries we only spent $ 5.04 (after taxes)!

Walgreens trip 5/29

Before you read: Lingo;

SS - Smart Source coupon insert
RP - Red Plum coupon insert
RR - Register Rewards - like money you can use towards other products
B1G1 - Buy 1 Get 1

* 2 Scott Naturals paper towels - $3.99 on sale each.
( used 2 $1.50/1 coupons found here. = $2.49/each)

* 4 Degree body mist - $3.75/each on sale.

( used 2 B1G1free coupons from RP 5/22 = $7.50/4 + $5 RR = $2.50 for all 4!)

* 1 Illy cappucino - $2 on sale

( recieved $2 RR = FREE)

* 1 Icy hot cream - $.99 on sale

( used $1/1 coupon from SS 5/1 and recieved $0.99 RR = $1 moneymaker!)

* 1 Ritz crackerfuls - $2 on sale

( used $0.75/1 coupon found here or SS 4/17 and recieved $2 RR = $0.75 moneymaker!)

* 2 Ecotrin pain relievers - $3.49/each

(used in-ad coupon to make $0.99/each and 2 $1/1 coupons found here or RP 5/1= FREE)

**So I looked at my reciept and she did not scan the in-ad coupon so I paid $2.49/each for the Ecotrin... which makes me so mad because of how rude she was but that's why it's so important to review everything before paying!!**

The total for this transaction (before tax) was $20.71 plus I have $10 in RR for my next trip =) This being on $34.95 worth of products w/out coupons.

What I learned:

* Walgreens really watches the limits, most items I purchased had a limit of 1 item per household per day, so if your wanting to split transactions you cannot do multiple of 1 item.

* Watch to make sure they actually scan in the in-ad coupons!

No inserts this Sunday (5/29)

FYI - No coupon inserts but there will be Albertson's doublers!

Walmart trip 5/27

* 6 packs of Nexcare bandaides - on sale for $1 each
(used 6 $1/1 coupons = FREE)
* 4 packages of Bar S hotdogs - $0.88 each
(used 2 $1/2 coupons = $0.38/each)
= Got $9.52 worth of products for $ 1.52! Which is a 84% savings!

Smith's trip 5/27

* 4 Arrowhead 24 pack water - $3.33 each
(used 2 $1/2 coupons and recieved a $5 catalina = $1.58 each)
* 2 juicy juice boxes - $2.89 each
(used 2 free coupons up to $2.12 each for buying little swimmers = $0.77/each)
* 2 Huggies little swimmers - $6.99 each * 1 Huggies wipes = $1.99
(tried to use 2 $2/1 coupons for the swimmers but they wouldn't allow me because of the juice coupons... dumb. Used $0.50/1 for wipes and recieved $3 catalina so = $12.97 for all 3 items)
* 2 Wheat thins stix = $1.67 each
(used 2 $1/1 coupons = $0.67 each)
* Hersheys bars = $3, Nabisco Grahams = $3.29, Kraft marshmallows = $1 = $7.29 for all 3
(used free marshmallow coupon and recieved $2 instant savings for buying all 3 = $4.29 for all 3)
= $45.70 worth of groceries for $ 26.46 (not including store discounts) = 42% savings... would have been better if I could have used the huggies coupons, that's why I'm still learning store policies =)

Winco shopping trip 5/26

* 2 lunchables w/fruit - $1.48/each
(used 2 $1/1 coupons = $0.48/each)
* 4 Jolly time popcorns - $.98/each
(used 2 $1/2 coupons = $0.48/each)
* 10 kool-aids - $0.10/each
(used 2 $0.50/5 coupons = FREE)
* 6 Kikkoman teriyaki sauce = $1.28/each
(used 6 $1/1 coupons = $0.28/each)
* 2 Deans dips = $1.28 each
( used 2 $1/1 coupons = $0.28/each)

= $18.12 worth of groceries for only $5.12 = 71% savings!

Albertson's sizzlin' summer giveaway!

Don't forget when you go to albertsons next to pick up the game board and get your tickets after each transaction! Today I got 10!

This is very similar to McDonalds' monopoly... you purchase certain items to get the tickets with your transactions, then you paste them to the game board and try to win awesome prizes like cash, cars, Albertsons gift cards, etc.!

For more information visit: http://www.albertsons.com/savings/seasons/sizzlinsummer.jsp

Albies Doubler trip

**prices for items listed are AFTER preferred card savings**

Transaction #1:
* 4 Airwick air freshners - $0.99/each
(used 2 $1/2 coupons and 2 doublers = FREE)
* 3 Baby Ray BBQ sauces - $1/each
(used $1/3 coupon and 1 doubler = $1/3)

* Nabisco cookies (snack for my son) - $1
Total before taxes - $1.96 (86% savings)

Transaction #2:
* 4 "5" gum packs - $1/each

(used 2 $1/2 coupons and 2 doublers = FREE)
* 1 Stoffers frozen entree - $2.27

(used $1/1 coupon and doubler = $.27)
Total before taxes - $0.27 (95% savings)

Transaction #3:
* 1 Stoffers frozen entree - $2.27

(used $1/1 coupon and doubler = $.27)
* 2 Sabra hummus - $2.99/each
(used 2 $1/1 coupons and 2 doublers = $.99/each)
Total before taxes = $2.25 (75% savings)

Transaction #4:
* 3 Emerald breakfast to go - $1.99/each

(used 3 $1/1 coupons and 3 doublers = FREE)
Total before taxes = CREDIT of $.03 (99% savings after taxes)

Transaction #5:
* 1 Kikkoman soy sauce - $1.29

(used $1/1 coupon and doubler = FREE)
* 2 Duncan Hines frostings - $2.49/each

(used 2 $1/1 coupons and 2 doublers = $.49/each)
Total before taxes = $.98 (72% savings because she only gave me $.29 on the doubler)

Transaction #6:
* 1 Kikkoman soy sauce - $1.29

(used $1/1 coupon and doubler = FREE)
* 1 Hidden Valley salad kit - $2.99

(used $1/1 coupon and doubler = $.99)
* 1 Palamolive dish soap - $1.99
(used $.75/1 coupon and doubler = $.49)
Total before taxes = $1.24 (82% savings, again she only gave me $.29 on the doubler, but $.99 on the .75 doubler...)

By using my preferred card, coupons, and store doublers I brought home $63.41 worth of groceries for a total of all 5 transactions before taxes: $4.42 after taxes: $8.23. Which is a savings of 87%!

The only mess up I made this time (thankfully) was with the soy sauce, I should have purchased larger bottles to max the savings.

Shopping Trip ~ Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Sorry I totally forgot to take pictures! Guess it will take me a while to get back into the grove of things.
I checked out Smith's today, it is very similar to Albertsons. I did pretty well even though a lot of the good deals were already gone. I saved 60%! Then I went to albertsons and everything went smooth there as well... I saved 73%! That was with combining manufacture & store coupons. Finally I went to Target, and by using 2 manufacture coupons, and an in store card I got 2 boxes of diapers (they were on sale for $19.79 retail is $24.99 I believe) after the coupons I paid about $12 each!
Next time I will take pics & list everything out like I use to... this was more of a trial run to get back into it. But it was definitely exciting watching all the savings! =)

Going Green = Saving Green!

Recently in my Biology class we figured out our family carbon footprint... I was MORTIFIED! So another goal I've set for myself and my family is to become more green while saving $$!

Here are a few of the changes we are making:

I will be cloth diapering our new baby! This will be very new to us but I am excited to save a lot of money from our monthly expenses. (And of course I got these awesome BG 4.0's on sale!)

Reuseable bags! I'm sure everyone knows about these, but I like most others always seem to forget them when I go shopping. I want to get myself in the habit of always bringing them! Not only is it better for the enviroment, you can carry so much more, and some stores even give you a discount for using them! *Make sure you wash them consistently!!!*

Also, as I said before we are planting a vegetable/fruit garden, not only eating healthy but saving $$ on produce!

Have any other ideas, please share them here!

Almost 2 years later!!!

Wow, I can't believe its been about 18 months since I used this blog. A lot has changed but I am happy to announce I am getting back into couponing!! I am so excited since it has been so long. So I hope to start blogging more frequently since I really enjoyed sharing my shopping trips. I do have my first "real couponing" shopping trip planned for tomorrow morning after my last final.

As for a little update on me: I finally have enough time to get back into doing this because I am taking a break from school (summer semester) for the first time in 2 years. I am so excited to spend the summer with my son before our 2nd little boy arrives in August!
Back in November we moved across the state to the Idaho Falls area from the Boise area. So I am in a whole new market... and tomorrow I am checking out a store I've never been to, Smiths.... I will also update how that goes.
I have so many goals for this summer, I'm just so excited for the time off! I plan to potty train my 2 1/2 y.o., work with him on numbers, letters, colors, and shapes, explore our new area for fun stuff to do, have a fruit/veg. garden, and of course couponing! Oh and getting ready for baby #2 and our 5 year anniversary trip to California! =)

Valpack

Check out Valpack.com for some great coupons in your area!
Also watch for them in your mail box... I found $1 off paper plates in mine today!

Coupons!

Click here to get 15% off at the Children's place! Pile this on their 50% off items and save BIG!

Click here to get a FREE sample of bronzer or lipstick! At JCP Sephora only!

I'm back!

I am so sorry for the long absence! My life has been so crazy with school, babysitting and my son's 1st birthday.. I haven't had much time. But my Mom asked about the blog a few days ago, and I really want to get it back up and running.
I am still couponing, but not as much as I use to because lack of time. I am still finding new ways to save money. So this is my attempt to get back into it. It is so important to me to save money. I also want to still use this blog as an update for family. So it's a little bit of everything!

Update

I have had a rough couple days, we have a lot of stressful situations going on and I just can't pull myself together. I've made a lot of changes in my diet though, eating TONS of fruits and veggies. Last night when we went out to eat instead of ordering fries with my sandwich I got a salad with dressing on the side so I would just get a small dip per bite.
Today's MC was to name 3 healthy foods with a low glycemic index, measure recovering heart rate, and listing what we were doing today.

Albie's Shopping Trip 8-4-09

Albertsons is having some awesome promos going on right now! But I noticed today a lot of stuff was selling out quick.

Okay so today I did 3 transactions.

1st:

* 100 Cal chex mix - $1.17 (after printable $.50/1 coupon)

* skippy peanut butter jars - 2 for $3.25 (after using $.75/2 coupon)

* Lipton tea bags - $2 (after $.50/1 coupon)

* boxes of cereal - 2 for $3 (after using $1/2 coupon)

* suave body wash - $1.25 (after using $.75/1 coupon)

* suave hair spray - $1.25 (after using $.75/1 coupon)

* degree deoderant - $3.50 for both (after using $50/1 coupon.. I had another one idk what happened)

* dove deoderant - 2 for $3 (after using 2 $1.25/1 coupons)

* dove soaps - $1.50 ( after using $1/1 coupon)

Plus I used 2 doublers. Total out OOP was $19.52. I saved $33.75. Plus because I spent the $30 on participating items I got $15 of OYNSO catalinas.

2nd transaction:

* 6 cans of mighty dog food - FREE (thanks Ali for the coupons!)

* Meow mix cat food - $6.39 (this was not on sale or coupons, just had to buy it lol)

* Classic bread - $1 (after $1/1 coupon)

* Ritz crackers - $1.99 (after $1/1 coupon)

Then I used one of the $5 OYNSO and 2 doublers. Total OOP was only $4.51. I saved $12.55.

3rd transaction:

* 2 tide detergents - $9.99/ea (after 2 $1/1 coupons)

I also used 2 doublers and my other 2 $5 OYNSO. I paid $9.18 OOP. I saved $26! Plus $5 for my next shopping trip printed out! Woohoo!

I got $105.51

Total OOP - $ 33.21 Total Savings = $72.30 Thats 68% savings! =)

Extra Val Challenge:

i did leg lifts with Austin, it was fun! I plan to do them more often...

Also I did 2 reps of ten of lifting him up and down... that hurt good ;-)

Day 4 of challenge

Today has been so far so good. I have 28 points for WW each day. So far I have had a bowl of mini wheats and 1% milk - 5 pts and a cup of coffee with no sugar creamer - 1 pt. Also a cup of watermelon - 1 pt. For lunch I need to eat a raw veggie. So I will be eating carrots (which are ZERO points!) Val said tuna.. and that sounded really yummy. So tuna sandwich with carotts? We will see, still have 2 hours til lunch. LoL.
DH and I are going for a walk tonight, and hopefully every night since its suppose to cool off the next few nights. Its going to be 80s this weekend (ahhh a break from high 90s!) So I really want to go do a sport... what should we do?

Challenge from Val:

So a challenge was just posted to do an exercise with our Octobabies. What should I do?