Coupon Savings Week of 3/7 (Part 1)

I was able to stop at CVS and Kroger before heading home today. Did pretty well at Kroger since I had $20 from last week to put toward my order for this week. I also used the three order method this time to maximize my money toward the next order.

This week was all about stocking up on fruit snacks. I bought some last week and the kids have been loving them. Also, if you buy 5 or more you get $3.50 toward your next order. I had two orders with 6 fruit snacks each (my coupon was $0.50 off two) so this let me get $10.50 toward my next order.

In total I spent $19.71 out of pocket at Kroger and I received $10.50 toward my next shopping trip so the actual money spent was $9.21 for all three Kroger orders detailed below.

At CVS I used $3.50 in Extra Care Bucks that I earned last week and spent $22.89 out of pocket. I earned $11 in Extra Care Bucks for my next order so the actual money spent was $11.89 for the items purchased at CVS.

Kroger - Order Number 1:
Spent: $1.84
Total Savings: $25.55
Received $3.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
6 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks
2 Betty Crocker mashed potato packets
3 Betty Crocker Warm Delights

Kroger - Order Number 2:
Spent: $17.13
Total Savings: $17.86
Received $3.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato packets
6 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks
1 bottle of Tide detergent

Kroger - Order Number 3:
Spent: $0.74
Total Savings: $17.20
Received $3.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
6 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks

Total Items for All Three Kroger Orders:
6 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
4 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato packets
1 bottle of Tide detergent
18 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks

CVS:
Spent: $22.89
Total Savings: $30.74
Earned $11 in Extra Care Bucks to use on my next order
What I purchased:
2 bottles of Cascade liquid dishwasher detergent
1 bottle of Tide detergent
1 Venus Embrace razor kit
1 Hershey bar (Evan was with me)
4 boxes of Raisin Bran

Coupon Savings Week of 2/28 (Part 2)

I finished my shopping today. I think I figured out the trick at Kroger but should have planned better for Walgreens. Meijer was okay, the number is a little higher than I would like it to be but I also purchased some clearance clothes for the kids.

My trick at Kroger was figuring out how many of a certain item I had to buy to get money toward my next order. Once I figured that out, I broke my order into 3 separate transactions to maximize the savings. All of this planning was done at home, prior to going to the store. I had my list for each order and was able to get out of the store in about a half hour (maybe less).

In total I spent $50.79 at Kroger, but I received $20 toward my next shopping trip so the actual money spent was $30.79 for all three Kroger orders detailed below.

At Walgreens, I purchased Starbucks drinks that were 4 for $5. I only printed 2 $1 off coupons so I got 4 for $3. In hindsight, I should have printed two more coupons so I would have received 4 for $1.

Kroger - Order Number 1:
Spent: $17.81
Total Savings: $36.83
Received $6.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
1 box Kroger Chewy Granola Bars
5 boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars
5 boxes Fiber One Bars
4 bags of Chex Mix

Kroger - Order Number 2:
Spent: $13.99
Total Savings: $32.08
Received $6.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
2 bags of Chex Mix
5 boxes of Fiber One Bars
2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato packets
4 boxes of Nature Valley Granola Bars

Kroger - Order Number 3:
Spent: $18.99
Total Savings: $31.15
Received $7.00 for my next order
What I purchased:
5 boxes of Fiber One Bars
1 bag of Green Giant Steamed Vegetables
2 bags of Chex Mix
2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
6 boxes of Fruit Snacks

Total Items for All Three Kroger Orders:
1 box Kroger Chewy Granola Bars
9 boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars
15 boxes Fiber One Bars
8 bags of Chex Mix
4 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato packets
1 bag of Green Giant Steamed Vegetables
6 boxes of Fruit Snacks

Walgreens:
Spent: $8.94
Total Savings: $34.50
What I purchased:
4 Starbucks drinks
12 Right Guard Deodorants

Meijer:
Spent: $47.75
Total Savings: $141.54 (this includes non-coupon savings of $125.04)
Received $4.00 off my next order of $60 or more. I used the same coupon for the order today, just use it FIRST. As long as the register total is $60 you get the $4.00 off. I was then able to have him apply the $4.00 I received toward my next order from last week as well as the manufacturer coupons.
What I purchased:
2 pairs of pants for Daphne
1 pair of jeans for Daphne
1 pull over fleece for Liam
2 long sleeve tees for Liam
1 fleece outfit by Carters for Daphne
1 Gallon 2% Milk
3 boxes Quaker Instant Oatmeal
3 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Sprays
1 Sure Deodorant
6 bottles of Dynamo Laundry Detergent

Coupon Savings Week of 2/28 (Part 1)

Kroger is having a great sale this week. I am spending the extra money we have and stocking up on what I can. Ideally once I have a nice stockpile of non-perishable goods, I will be able to spend $30-$70 a week on great deals and replenishing depleted items.

I still have a few items to pick up at Meijer and Walgreens. I might stop back by Kroger tomorrow to stock up on a few more items and use the $9.00 I earned for my next order. I was amazed when the register total before the scanned coupons was $157.00, once all the coupons were applied my total was $67.

The total savings includes coupons, bonus coupons, and card savings.

Kroger:
Spent: $67.49
Total Savings: $144.00
Received $9.00 for my next order
What I purchased:
4 bags Green Giant Steamed Vegetables
4 boxes of Fruit Roll Ups
5 6-packs of Trix Yogurt
3 boxes of GoGurt
11 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
6 bags of Chex Mix (various flavors)
9 cans of Progresso Light Soup
1 Betty Crocker Frosting
4 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato Pouches
4 boxes Fiber One Muffin Mix
6 bags Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters
1 pack Jennie O Turkey Sausage (free with mail in rebate)
3 boxes Chex Mix Bars
1 Tide Detergent
1 Tide Stain Booster
4 boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars

CVS:
Spent: $11.49
Total Savings: $8.55
Extra Care Bucks Earned: 3.50
What I purchased:
4 packs of Bower Bar Energy Gels (for Jason)
1 bottle Excedrin Back and Body
1 Gain Laundry Detergent

Giant Eagle:
Spent: $35.27
Total Savings: $41.71
Received $2.00 for my next order
What I purchased:
10 boxes Kellog's Frosted Mini-Wheats
4 12-packs Diet Dr. Pepper
4 boxes Super Pretzels
3 boxes Special K Granola Cereal
3 boxes Betty Crocker Muffin Mix
2 Coffee Mate Creamers

Coupon Savings Week of 2/21

I went on my first couponing trip yesterday. I think I did pretty well and expect to do better as my experience increases. I spent more than I wanted to out of pocket, but used part of my money for the week for stocking up which why I purchased so many cereals and boxed meals. Here is what I ended up with:

Giant Eagle:
Spent: $51.46

Total Savings: $47.73

What I purchased:
5 boxes Wheaties Fuel
3 boxes Cinnamon Toast Crunch
2 boxes Chocolate Cherrios
8 Romano's Macaroni Grill Complete Boxed Meals
8 Wanchai Ferry Complete Boxed Meals
4 packs of Starkist Tuna Creations

Kroger:
Spent: $40.11

Total Savings: $61.71

What I purchased:
5 boxes Green Giant Frozen Vegetable
5 Freschetta Pizzas
5 Oscar Meyer Lunchables
5 packs Kroger Shredded Cheese
2 boxes of Capri Sun
1 2-liter of 7-up
1 jar of Kraft Mayo
3 tubes of Chapstick
1 tube of Blistex
1 tube of Colgate

Meijer:
Spent: $16.71

Total Savings: $33.01

Money Toward Next Order: $8.00

What I purchased:
6 boxes of Grape Nuts
2 6-packs of Trix Yogurt
1 4-pack of Activia Yogurt
4 gallons 2% Milk
1 Marzetti's Salad Dressing
2 packs of Sargento Shredded Cheese
2 boxes of Orville Reddenbacher Microwave Popcorn

My Couponing Adventure

It all started a few weeks ago when my neighborhood ladies league had a guest speaker that opened my eyes to the world of stretching my family budget through smart shopping. This involves clipping coupons like crazy and watching the ads to get the best deals.  I also learned to stock up on items when they are cheap because of store sales + coupons. 

Once my supply is started and I am just replenishing what we use and stocking up on the next great deal it will be much easier to maintain a lower grocery budget.  I will be able to easily create meals from what I have on hand. 

Since embarking on this adventure, I have seen the biggest savings on cereal, snack food and laundry products. 

I am going to write about my savings each week and hopefully get to the point where I can spot deals and tell you what I will be buying for the upcoming week.