Groceries for the Month of January

I want to give a few break downs of the groceries I purchased this month.  I feel really good about this month and what I purchased, how much I saved, and the little amount of time I had to spend preparing.  For those of you overwhelmed about couponing, I promise it gets easier and totally worth it.  For the month of January, I can say that I spent around $400 in groceries for a family of 4.  This includes formula, baby food, and diapers (although I only needed pull-ups this month).

This month was a Sams trip so my overall grocery bill will always be elevated this month.  I typically go once every couple of months and maybe a time in between just for produce.

We share a Sams membership with my mother-n-law and I am a huge fan of the warehouse.  There are some items that you can find at Sams in bulk that are less expensive than Wal-Mart and there are some items that are actually more expensive (since no coupons are involved). Sometimes even if the item is not less expensive it is worth it to purchase at Sams simple for the convenience.  It makes our lives easier and that is worth more than we can imagine!!  99% of what I buy at Sams, I know I am not going to catch a great deal anywhere else and they are items I am going to buy regardless and/or need for my family.

Here is a list of items I support for purchase at Sams:

Big bag of shredded cheese (12.92 for 5lb bag)  and sliced cheese ($9.98 for 42 slices)- The Sams is significantly cheaper than any other price

Deli Meat - We loved meat from the deli.  Sams packaged meat is the close to the real thing at a great price. $6.98

Creamer - I use a ton in each cup of coffee and the convenience of always being stocked maintains my sanity. $9.97

Frozen Tilapia - comparable price. $12.98

Frozen Chicken Breast - comparable price. $13.48

Turkey Meat - least expensive unless found at a Brookshires sale. $13.75

Bread - (freeze one loaf) $4.28 for 2 loafs - we can find this for less with a Brookshires sale, but they never have my favorite kind, so I treated myself :)

Silk Milk - comparable to Wal-mart Great Value - however with Ibotta offer available it is cheaper! $7.98 for 3

Fruit cups - convenience (we go through these like cheetahs) $15.76 (around 50 cent per fruit cup)

Monster drinks - I am not a fan of this purchase, but the bottom line is my husband is going to drink them and going to buy them.  If he stops at a gas station it will cost him 2.50.  Sams price is $1, so I give in. $11.91

Rotisseri Chicken - 3 lb - 4.88

Salsa - we go through alot $4.48

Produce - grapes, strawberries, bananas, mushrooms, spinach, celery, potatoes, broccolli, bell peppers, onions, clementines, and apples.  In my opinion, Sams has the best produce for the best price!!! Total price is $44.88

Total cost at Sams with tax minus the Ibotta offer is $181.32. I am happy with these results and feel like we are stocked for at least 2 weeks with everything we will need.  Most likely we will make 3 weeks!

The hardest part about Sams is not purchasing everything your family uses just because you see it.  There are some items that are not worth the price and are a better deal with coupons.  Off the top of my head here are some items to avoid:

Cereal
Dog food and treats
Any personal hygiene products
K-cups
Canned goods

Tomorrow look out for a cheap, easy, and healthy meal!!

Deals this Week

Here is a few highlights for this week!

Before I get started, let me just APOLOGIZE for the sideways pics.  I don't know why its happening or how to fix it.  I will work on this so you don't go cross-eyed!

Target Diapers - Luvs coupons available in the paper and coupons.com PLUS an IBOTTA offer


CVS Deals:  If you don't have a stock of mouthwash, PLEASE do not pay full price.  You should see this coupon in last Sunday's paper.


Add a $1 off coupon from the paper (and I believe also available on coupons.com) and this toothpaste is FREE.  Again I beg, do NOT pay full price!!


Here is my JAM at Walgreens!  Wheat thins on sale for $2 (compared to 2.50 at Wal-Mart).  This coupon did not appear in our Sunday paper so I ordered from coupondede.com.  They d
idn't come in in time to hit the Brookshires sale (I ordered late), but there is plenty of time before expiration!



Coupon available in last weeks paper (it is small so I almost missed it)


Iron? Probiotic?  Good items to donate!


Tomorrow I'm going to give a personal financial breakdown of my grocery spending this week!  I also want to get back to posting some recipes.  I have had some winners!!!

Brookshires

I'm going to get straight to Brookshires since there are only 2 days left in the sale.

Here are a few things I found that I liked.



I need to check the prices on the dog food, but a few weeks ago there was a coupon for $2 off in the paper. I would love to combine that with the extra points!!


Turkey bacon and sausage coupon on coupons.com


Yay wheat thins! Compared to 2.50 at walmart!





I am really loving the points bonus!  Now that I have my mom SUV, I am feeling the major pains of gas.  Wait...let me clarify.  Car gasoline is what I am speaking of.



I had someone ask me recently when Brookshires re-stocks.  She says that alot of times when she is able to get to the store they are out of the product she needs (on sale).  I have had this happen to me a few times specifically with bread.  So, I researched the answer.



There is not a specific day they restock, but it would most likely be on the weekends.  However,  you CAN ask for a Raincheck for the products that are cleared out.  If you are not familiar with rainchecks, it is basically an IOU.  The cashier will complete a little form  and you may purchase the item at the sale price when it is back in stock.  If you have a coupon for the product, you may use that as well if it has not expired once it is restocked.



This is good to know.  I have used a raincheck at the drugstores before, but honestly did not know it was available at Brookshires! We are learning together!!

Weekend Wrap

I have been absent the last few days so that we could get through Ruddick's adnoid removal, major life changes, and an amazing 1st bday party.

Pics to come tomorrow along with the Brookshires deals I like!

More Tips for the New Year

I wanted to share a money saving tip with you that I hope to improve on this year. You're not going to be surprised. It centers on planning and lists. Not surprised are you?

I am a super forgetful and I have a hard time remembering what I need when a big sale pops up or a crazy 1 day deal on a website. So I am making a list of needs/wants that are not immediate. This will allow me to track prices and do a little research before making a decision. I am hoping this will help me get exactly what I want for the best price.

So here is what my list looks like so far:

1) Ruddick needs a good pair of shoes that are easy to get on, stay on, and he can walk in

2) RL needs new cute sheets for her bed

3) As of right now, I want to get RL dollhouse for next Christmas.  **Update: Scored this at the Target Clearance




4) Matching sibling sets for the summer

5) Swimsuits

So, whats on your list?



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Deals this Week

I want to start off by pointing out a few good coupons in Sunday's paper.  We only got a Smart Source, but I like what I saw.

**Sorry for they sidewayness**

















I also like these on coupons.com. What! What! I have never seen this silk coupon before (other than almond)





Look at this great CVS deal on drinks!!!



Compared to the Target price.  Boooo....not a good a price!




Walgreens had a couple of things for review:







I will not judge you if you need any of the below products.




Moving on to other topics....

I am in major planning mode for Ruddick's first bday party.  Here is a little sneak peak.




While we are on the subject of Ruddick, I need to get this off my chest.  Did you know the owner of a blog can see how many reads he/she gets for each post?  Yes, I track this.  It keeps me motivated to post almost everyday.  You know whats sad? My "Ruddick is one" post had a 75% decline compared to all of my other posts.  Its sad isn't it?  I know that I am used for my knowledge, but really I am not that good of a blogger.  However, he is THAT cute of a kid!!!!!! So let's just rewind for a minute and go back and view the Ruddick overload of his 1st bday post.


Here is a bonus.  If you don't know me and are wondering why my child has such a "unique" name.  Ruddick is my maiden name.  My sister and I have no brothers and there is noone in the immediate family that will carry the name.  So Ruddick Luke Emory was chosen.  His initials are also my husband's father's initials that passed away years ago.  My daughter has his initials as well.



Okay...now that you know more. Check him out!

Target and michaels

I'll start out the week with another Target update.  While the kids were napping on Sunday, I headed out to target to browse the aisles looking for the red sticker.



I was pumped to find 2 things on my needs list that I have been procrastinating purchasing until I found a good sale.






I of course strolled down the clearance toys that is pretty much dead at this point.  If you have not made it out yet they still have the cabbage patch dolls, a couple of dice games, the soaker guns, and some older boy toys.  The Barbie Pink shoe dolls are still at 50 % off.  I expect them to be marked to 70 on Thursday.



There are not a ton of winter baby clothes marked to 70 yet, but I found a couple of pair of pants for RL next year.




I found some other items that would be great at 70% off.  They are still marked at 30 and 50, so we will need to watch (stalk) and see if they make it to 70.













When I was checking out, I intentionally parked behind two krazy coupon ladies checking out.  They were full of energy (newbies) as they watched the total jump down with each scan.  I was re-inspired as they did so well with their purchases and paid little out of pocket.  I was also selfishly curious to see if they would have any problems at the register.  Remember the time I had the horrible experience?  There were no problems and the cashier was super friendly.  I took a mental picture of her in my head and will return to her in the future. :)



After my observation, I wanted to rush home and organize my coupons.  Look for coupons to match the clearance items and prepare for my own good deals.  Unfortunately, RL found my coupon box and then it looked like this....


Not fun.





I stopped by Michaels to pick up some more scrapbook paper for Ruddick's bday party.  The Christmas items were marked to 90%.  There was hardly anything left, but I was able to get a few items for CENTS!



They also had some bins outside the front door labeled "Christmas impulse buys".  All items were 25 cents.  I did a quick scan and found a few items that were not Christmas themed that would be great for other purposes.  I couldn't get any pictures are even look appropriately due to some crazy ladies who were guarded the stash as if their life depended on it.  I am sure I never look that crazy! :)



The rest of the deals will be posted tomorrow!

UPdated - Target? Now with pics.

Here are some items available (pics from amazon)



Listed for 46 on amazon. Target for 15


Target $12 (similiar version)


Target less than $20 (still 50 off)


Target 6.88


Target around 7

Updated!!



It is here!!!!! Our Monroe store is mark down to 70%!! There are still a few big items that just got marked to 50 (frozen  and a few barbies), but everything else was 70!!!



Run to your target and score what you can! It is a big sale and it is clearing out fast! Remember: Easter Baskets, Birthdays, Vday, Friends Birthdays, Christmas, Christmas donations!! I'll try to post some pictures later!



**************





Is it today? Someone please tell me if the toys are 70%? I am so over the anticipation.



It looks like some stores are marked down and some are not.  After calling the Monroe store, we didn't get information that I feel confident about.  They told us that some were marked 30/50/70, so not the big 70 mark down I was looking forward to seeing.



I will check around 11 and get back with more information.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Deals this Week

I am feeling pretty good after the Brookshires sale and anxiously anticipated the Target sale, so I don't plan on putting much effort into the drugstores.  I am skipping CVS all together.  If you do happen to stop there this week, make sure to pick up a free piece of candy.  Just scan your cvs card at the magic coupon machine and the coupon should print out.  The candy is typically located next to the machine.  I am also skipping Rite Aid.  To walgreens it is this week!!

Walgreens:

Emerguxcemtric 8 Hours of Energy - $8.00 - Receive $8 Register Rewards - Free (about 80 cents with tax) - Energy shots are not my thing, but my husband likes them on the weekend.  80 cents is significantly cheaper than the ones he typically buys (and will regardless if they are one sale), so I will pick this item up for him.

Rescue Natural Stress Relief Gum - $4.99 - Receive $4.99 Register Rewards - Free (about 40 cents with tax)
-The reviews are pretty decent, so I am willing to try it for free

Dawn Dish Liquid - .99 cents - Use .50 off from PG 12/29

To save on out of pocket expenses I will do the following.

Transaction #1 - Purchase the Stress Relief Gum and the Dawn.  Use my previously earned 5,000 points which equals $5.  Get back $4.99

Transaction #2 - Purchase energy shot - use $4.99 RR pay around $5 and get $8 back.

Now today is supposedly the Eve to the big Target sale.  Will it be or will it won't? I checked out my inventory today and it is chipping away and I am getting really anxious.  Some things I wanted are still in stock and others aren't :(  I just need it to get here already!!!! Let's move those toys OUT!!

Ruddick is ONE!!!

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Ruddick. Happy Birthday to you!!!

This baby boy was boy at 36 weeks and weighed in at 6lb 4oz.  He spent 7 days in the NICU and charmed all of the nurses.

 Looking rough, I know. Don't judge.

Yo...peace!

Since mommy wasn't at home, daddy dressed RL like this....Yeah, in public.

 This our first day home with sissy!!

Bless his heart had to go back into the hospital at 2 weeks old with RSV.  Hard time for mama and baby.

Okay...so this one is not really a picture of Ruddick.  It is a shameless memory of  my "affair" with Colton.  However, I nursed Ruddick in the parking lot throughout the day so its kind a related right??

I totally warned you that you would be bombarded!!! I wish everyone a good day and if you are feeling sad.....just think of this baby boys adorable face!!