June's Budget Review

Monthly Review for June

Retails: $912.54

Total Spent: $193.97

Percent Off: 79%

I was able to get all the fresh fruits and veggies, milk, eggs I needed for the month.

PLUS, I was able to stock up on quite a few things, including baggies, brownie mixes, drink mixes, salsa, steak sauce, lunch meat, sausage, tabasco sauce, seasonings, hot dogs, yogurt, pasta sauce, salad dressing, cheese, shrimp, roasts, pre-made meals, shaving gel, toilet paper, mustard, deodorant, peanut butter, ice cream, baby granola bars, lobster tails, ziploc containers, band aids, marshmallows

By combining store savings (sales) with manufacturer savings (coupons) I can get stuff for so cheap that I can afford to stock up, meaning that the next time I need salad dressing I will be able to get it off my shelf for a fraction of the price it would cost me to get it when I needed it. Also, we're able to live much better this way. I never used to get name brand products and now that's almost all we get. This takes planning but where we just used to get by, we are now able to build up a food storage.

albertsons

Happy day for me! My Albertsons let me use both the 2 doubles from Wed ad and the 3 doubles that came on Sunday at the same time because they have different numbers on them.

Retails: $15.43

Total Spent: $0.68

Percent Off: 96%

How did I do it?

• sales: $4.45
• manufacturer's coupons: $5.00
• double coupons: $5.00
• I have gotten all of these Hefty coupons from a blinkie (those coupon dispensers) right in front of the baggies. This time they were all gone, but I was able to dig around and find these where people had randomly put them down. If I see good coupons in the store in those blinkies for items I may use, I'll snag a few just in case. They usually don't expire for months later.

Money Left for the Month: $6.59

what in the world are doublers?

I've had a few people ask me about doublers or double coupons. If you are lucky, you live in an area where stores regularly double coupons. If, however, you live in the World of the Cheapskates (aka: Utah Valley) you don't because the stores would loose WAY too much money with all the good mommies that take their shopping seriously.

Albertsons has somewhat recently started to somewhat regularly put a few double coupons out. (aren't I a great writer?) What that means is they will match any manufacturer's coupon up to $1. They only allow so many per store per day around here, whatever the amount that they come grouped in. For instance, there were 2 on the actual ad on Wednesday so Albertsons would accept 2 per store per day. There were more that came in Sunday's paper as a separate insert so Albertsons will take those 3.

Are they worth it? That's up to you. I live just around the corner from an Albertsons so for me saving 3 dollars a day totally is. But I only have to drive a few minutes and put one child in and out of a carseat. If you live further or have tons of little monkeys then maybe they're worth it if you are going there anyways and get more mileage out of your coupons? I don't know but I LOVE them. Pinching Your Pennies always has a thread of what is free/super cheap with the doublers. Here's this weeks.

Hope that helps!

albertsons x 2

I hit both of my local Albertsons this morning, praying they would have those pouch tunas that are SO cheap, but they both were out and will be through tomorrow when the sale ends. Darn it. I was waiting because I heard there would be a catalina on the Mac & Cheese that would start on Sat. The long and short is, that catalina doesn't start until July 3 and they were out of tuna on Saturday as well. I guess you win some and loose some. It's just that I really wanted to win some tuna.

The good news is there were 3 double coupons in the paper yesterday, and since I get 3 papers, that means 3 sets! (they only let you use 1 set per store per day)

Enough of my pointless rambling.

I got milk and the brownie mixes at the 1st store and the baggies at the 2nd.

Retails: $21.16

Total Spent:$0.67

Percent Off: 97%

How did I do it?

• Sales: $8.15
• Manufacturer's coupons: $5.75 (milk on coupons.com- for ID and UT only. IE or Firefox)
• Double coupons: $5.75

Money Left for the Month: $7.27

menu 6/24 (oops. again.)

I am so bad with posting menus lately. Sorry.

Menu:

• pizza joes on homemade rolls (like sloppy joes with a hamburger base, but with anything you'd put in a pizza in it: pepperoni, olives, peppers, etc. Spaghetti sauce is the sauce.)
• ranch round steak
• Hawaiian calzones
• shredded beef pork salad with homemade tortillas
• pork sandwiches
• Frozen Bertolllis (just livin' on the edge!)

Sides:

• fresh/frozen/canned fruits and veggies
• potatoes: salt(cook'scountrymag, p13)/mashed/fries/hash browns
• rice
• salad
• beans
• homemade rolls

Need for the meals:

• Nothing, good thing (see total left for the month. yikes.)
• I did need eggs and milk and bought that today.

A New Post: Shocker

I hit 3 stores today, happy day.

Buy Low

Retails: $7.81

Total Spent: $3.63

Percent Off: 54%

How did I do it?

• made my list from savvyshopperdeals
• only bought what was on sale or already at my price point (price I'm willing to pay)

I got a thing of honey, a dozen eggs, 2 lbs of fuji apples, an avocado, 2 lbs onions.

I had to get to Buy Low. Sam has been BEGGING for "apple" all week, poor little guy. What a good mom I am. I really wanted to get their Foster Farms chicken nuggets, but they ran out and replaced them with other nuggets that were the same per pound but in a much bigger package, costing $10. That wasn't going to work with my budget like it is for the month so I got a raincheck. Hurray!

Albertsons 1

Retails: $7.01

Total Spent: $.56

Percent Off: 92%

How did I do it?

• sales: $2.58
• manufacturer's coupons: $1.75
• double coupons: $1.75

Albertsons 2

Retails: $11.70

Total Spent: $1.15

Percent Off: 90%

How did I do it?

• sales: $4.07
• manufacturer's coupons: $3.00
• double coupons: $3.00

Money Left for the Month: $7.94

one delicious trip

After the DELICIOUS Father's Day meal, Matt demanded that I buy some more lobster tails at Albertsons. We grilled it with this marinade and I do have to say that it was one of the best things I have ever had. Mmmmm.

The lobster was $15. Yikes. But look at the total here. The sugar, koolaid, and candy bar were just under 50 cents (tax was 55 cents). I love it.

Retails: $32.01

Total Spent: $16.02

Percent Off: 50%

How did I do it?

• sales: $11.73
• coupons: $2.79
• favorite deal: The koolaid was on sale for 10/$1. I had a $.50/10 coupon for the koolaid. Plus, I had another coupon for $2 off sugar when you buy 10 koolaid packets. So for 50 cents I got 10 things of koolaid and 4 pounds of sugar. Nice.

Money Left for the Month: $13.28

Target

Hooray for Target! And I didn't even report my diaper bag stolen this time: a good trip. (although I did have to go all the way back in after loading Sam up in the car seat to add one more coupon I forgot- it was for $2.99!)

Retails: $73.95

Total Spent: $15.87

Percent Off: 79%

How did I do it?

• compiled list from hip2save
• used store coupons combined with manufacture coupons combined with sales where possible
• free: crystal light 5 packs, band aids, burts bees chapstick, $.09 for each A-1, yogurt was $.21 each, $.57 cents total for 5 cans of dog food, $.59 each salsa, $1.50ish total for the razor and body wash, $.75 each ziploc container, beef was $2.29, dried black beans were $.99 each (cheaper than Walmart by 10 cents! good to know...)

Money Left for the Month: $29.30

albertsons clearance and lunch meat

Retails: $56.78

Total Spent: $16.45

Percent Off: 71%

How did I do it?

• see lunch meat deal scenario in previous entry
• Bertollis on clearance for $3.50, used $1.25 coupon
• Pediasure bars on clearance for $2, used $1 coupon
• sales/clearance: $28.72
• coupons: $8.75

Money Left for the Month: $45.17

albertsons lunch meat

This is a deal you can all do. At Albertsons through tomorrow, when you buy 5 participating products $5 comes off your total. These 5 oz Hillshire Farms lunch meats are on the promotion. They are $2 minus the $1 that comes off automatically (5 products/$5). Plus, inside each of them is a $1 off 3 coupon.

Deal Scenario:

• buy 5 at $2 each
• $5 comes off automatically
• use 1 $1/3 coupon
• total: $4, plus tax (80 cents each)

or

• buy 6 at $2 each
• $5 comes off automatically
• use 2 $1/3 coupons
• total: $5, plus tax (83 cents each)

Buying 15 would actually be the cheapest ($10, plus tax- 67 cents each) if you're in the market for tons of lunch meat. You can do multiple $5 in the same transaction.

This sale ends tomorrow night though, so if you need lunch meat, hurry! I've frozen this stuff for months and it does great. The nice thing about this small sized package is that we actually use it before it goes bad. I hate that.

Sorry to tell you about this so late into the sale, but I've been crazy this last couple weeks and have barely had time to do laundry. Don't ask if it's put away...

milk at smiths

Oops. I totally forgot to post this.

Matt, the wonderful man he is, ran out the other night for me to get milk. I gave him a couple of those milk coupons and told him where to go and what price it should be: a quick and easy trip.

Apparently not. First he couldn't find the milk for $1.67 and then the cashier gave him a hard time with the coupons. He even called over a manager. Poor Matt. Then he came home to a wife who said, "It cost WHAT? Why didn't you get the cheaper milk?" Matt is a saintly man who did a very good job shopping for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. (is this enough positive reinforcement for you to do it again?)

Retails: $4.68

(i don't know what this brand is regularly, so this price is based off the other milk)

Total Spent: $2.39

Percent Off: 49%

How did MATT do it?

• got assignment from wife, who got prices from pinchingyourpennies
• sales: $.64
• coupons: $1.50 (UT and ID only on coupons.com)

Money Left for the Month: $61.62

maceys and albertsons

Sorry! I didn't take 2 pictures- this is from Maceys and Albertsons.

Maceys

Got 2 lbs of cheese, 1.6 lb london broil steak, sauerkraut

Retails:$16.75

Total Spent: $8.88

Percent Off: 57%

How did I do it?

• made my list from pinchingyourpennies
• only bought what was on sale

Good news: the clerk said they will start taking all internet coupons starting Aug 1! Hooray!

Albertsons

got a can of pears, olive oil, 2 cheesecakes, bag of veggies, 4 sausages, 2 lobster tails, 4 things of lunch meat, and .7 lbs of tomatoes.

Retails: $80.33

Total Spent: $17.30

Percent Off: 78%

How did I do it?

• made my list from pinchingyourpennies
• sales: $36.74
• coupons: $22.50 (including my $5 and $10 catalina from last week. And I was worried about being able to spend them!)
• favorite deal: I had a $2 off coupon if I bought seafood and the olive oil. When I looked at the olive oil it had a coupon for free tomatoes up to a $1. The olive oil was already on sale from $10.29 to $5.99. So I paid $3.99 for the olive oil and tomatoes, a $11.33 value!

I was so excited about the lobster tail. I've never had it before and thought it would make a great Father's Day dinner.

Money Left for the Month: $64.01

Buy Low

Retails: $17.39

Total Spent: $5.84

Percent Off: 66%

How did I do it?

• made my list from savvyshopperdeals.
• since produce rarely has coupons, I only bought what was on a great sale
• bought a few chips and bacon to try them. If we like them, I'll buy more when I hit Buy Low on Friday for the meat deals. (we opened 2 of the bags at dinner. they're ok.)

Money Left for the Month: $90.19

Walmart.

I'm not complaining any more on this blog (yeah, right!) so I will just happily post my Walmart shopping trip from tonight. I'll just cheerfully state that I have NEVER seen lines so long. Ever. It was spectacular. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a newspaper article on it or something.

Retails: $18.85

Total Spent: $5.20

Percent Off: 72%

How did I do it?

• compiled my list from Hip2Save
• sales: $1.79
• coupons: $11.00
• free: the Buddie Bar soaps & the lint rollers, the grill seasoning was 8 cents each, the hot dogs were 14 cents each, the tabasco sauce were 23 cents each, the food coloring was on rollback for $1.25.
• I did pay full price for the garlic at $.43/lb, and the tomatoes at 50 cents each as I was running out of both of them. It's hard to beat canned tomatoes at 50 cents each.

Money Left for the Month: $96.03

2 Albertsons, 1 Peaceful Morning

I LOVE shopping in the morning. It is the best. No one's there, Sam's still asleep so I can leave him with Dad, the store has lots of the stuff I want. It's wonderful. Did I mention not having to bring the baby?

I hit 2 Albertsons this morning to use those double coupons.

Store #1

Retails: $12.11

Total Spent: $1.12

Percent Off: 91%

How did I do it?

• sales: $4.34
• coupons: $3
• double coupons: $3

Store #2

Retails: $28.07

Total Spent: $9.81

Percent Off: 67%

Plus I have a $5 catalina to use on anything in the store in the next 2 weeks.

How did I do it?

• sales: $9.81
• coupons: $4.75
• double coupons: $3

I mad at myself right now though for not bumping up my total to $10 so I could use my catalina I got Saturday to pay for this 2nd trip. It didn't even occur to me until after the transaction had gone through. Oh well. Now I have $15 for free at Albertsons. The problem is that I usually don't spend that much there at one time. I'm such a genius.

Money Left for the Month: $101.23

Another Albertson's Trip

Retails: $51.53

Total Spent: $8.41

Percent Off: 84%

Plus, I have a $10 catalina to use on anything in the store in the next 2 weeks.

How did I do it?

• compiled my list from Pinching Your Pennies
• sales: $21.42
• coupons: $19.70, including the $10 catalina I got earlier today

Money Left for the Month: $111.50

albertsons deals

Retails: $58.80

Total Spent: $19.33

Percent Off: 67%

Plus I have a $10 catalina to spend on anything in the next 2 weeks.

How did I do it?

• compiled my list from Pinching Your Pennies
• sales: $25.16
• coupons: $11.49
• FYI: there are coupons on the wishbone dressing that give you a free bag of salad mix when you buy 2 dressings. Since I bought 4 dressings I got 2 bags of salad mix. Also, there was a coupon on the Can't Believe It's Not Butter that gave me 75 cents off produce so I got free apples. I did pay full price for the milk, but everything else is on the "spend $25 on specific products, get a $10 catalina to use on your next purchase" promotion.
• Oh, and I hear there will be Albertsons doublers in the paper again tomorrow. Hooray!

Money Left for the Month: $119.91

menu 6/10

Again, I am a day late. But not a dollar short, thanks to couponing! (oh my gosh, that was SO dumb. someone punch me.)

Menu:

• Navajo tacos (is that what the rest of the world calls them? we had funny names for some things growing up. example: Top Ramen = curly noodle. the store stocker had NO idea what I was talking about my freshman year of college) with homemade fried bread and all the fixin's including ground beef, black beans, cheese...
• Grilled Pizza with sausage (Cuisine magazine, p6) (thanks astealofadeal for posting your friend's delicious version)
• Grilled Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
• Colorful Frittata (the Taste of Home Cookbook, p. 252)
• Steak and Shrimp Kabobs
• Shredded French Dip (tToHC, p.71) with homemade rolls

Sides:

• fresh/frozen/canned fruits and veggies, glazed carrots (America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook p.148), Sweet Potatoes w/ Apples (tToHC p352)
• potatoes: salt(cook'scountrymag, p13)/mashed/fries/hash browns
• rice
• salad
• beans
• homemade rolls, sour cream crescents (tToHC p.462)

Need:

• fresh fruits/veggies I got at Buy Low yesterday

I will need a couple of gallons of milk soon too.

It is so nice to have a stockpile of things to create my menus from. I buy stuff when it's at my pricepoint, the cheapest I can get it for and buy multiples of it as much as I can.

Wednesday Buy Low Deals

Retails: $22.61

Total Spent: $9.86

Percent Off: 66%

I got 2 bags of chips, 2 1/2 lbs bananas, 2lbs carrots, 2 1/2 lb cherries, 1lb nectarines, 2 3/4lb yams, loaf of rye bread, 2 things of sour cream

How did I do it?

• shopped the sales. Every Wed. Buy Low has extra produce deals that are pretty spectacular.

Money Left for the Month: $129.38

albertsons

Let's just say that I'm glad to be home. We had a very "exciting" grocery trip this afternoon, but nonetheless, we came out the conquerors and here are our great deals (that I'm sure made every moment worth it).

Retails: $34.56

Total Spent: $2.28

Percent Off: 93%

How did I do it?

• sales: $16.92
• coupons: $7.49
• double coupons: $5.20

Money Left for the Month: $139.24

Albertsons Clearance

I hit Albertsons for the double coupons that came in the newspaper. They were all out of the stuff I wanted though but I saw these on clearance. (take that good find Brooke!)

Retails: $14.38

Total Spent: $1.72

Percent Off: 88%

How did I do it?

• clearanced: $5.97
• coupons: $6 (didn't even use the doublers!)

I love having things like this in my freezer. When things are crazy, it keeps us from eating out in desperation!

Money Left for the Month: $141.52

Walgreens: We've had some good times

Last Monday I had one of those migraine/sick headaches and as a result didn't get to Walgreen's. Apparently I let $9.50 in Register Rewards expire. I realized it the next day but it was too late. I was so mad at myself!

I had $7 in RR that had to be used by today and when I looked at the deals, I was sad- not a great week. I really struggled in the store to find anything I wanted to buy.

This little story-time was to tell you that I am officially out of Register Rewards. From now on anything I get will have to be paid with (gasp) real money. Since that is the case, I'm guessing I'll be shopping there less. We'll see. It's just that I have such a huge stockpile of toothpaste/toothbrushes/deodorant/shampoo/shaving cream etc that I can't see myself spending money to get more. Free? Sure. Make sweet money on it? I'll take it! But don't make me shell out dollars. Yikes.

Anyway, on to the deals:

(not pictured: one more package of M&Ms that were devoured in an effort to bring you this deal)

Retails: $20.38

Total Spent: $0.00

How did I do it?

* the bug spray, pregnancy test, and crackers were on clearance. In addition, I had a coupon for $2 off the bug spray.

* the candy bars had an in ad coupon for 2/$1 and I had 3 Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) coupons

* $7 in RR

* put the remainder $.69 on my Walgreen's gift card.

D minus for KMart

Ok, you're right, D- isn't quite right. It should be more like D- - - - - - - - - . Boo on them.

Even thought I had it confirmed from both corporate and the store, no Kmart in Utah are participating in the double coupons this week.

oh Albertsons. How I love you.

More Albertsons. The cashiers and I are BFFs.

Retails: $30.14

Total Spent: $4.56

Percent Off: 85%

How did I do it?

• did 2 transactions (which I HAD to do. I left my wallet in the car and only had about $5 in change with me. The 2 country times spit out a $1 catalina that I used to buy the string cheese in the 2nd transaction.)
• sales: $16.74
• coupons: $4.75
• double coupons: $2.50

Money Left for the Month: $143.24

Buy Low and Albertsons

I've realized that the one place I don't know how much I'm going to spend before I go in is at Buy Low. I only buy the produce or meat that's on sale, but sometimes I get a bit carried away. Today, before I went into the store I told myself I would only spend $15. That helped curb my over-buying tendencies. I'm not a fan of being surprised at the register because it usually isn't a good surprise.

Buy Low

Retails: $45.69

Total Spent: $14.73

Percent Off: 68%

How did I do it?

• Meat very rarely has coupons. I buy it when it's cheap and stock up
• Buy Low's Friday meat deals are really great. I check the ad and buy what's on great sale.
• The 70/80 shrimp were substituted for 31/something which is great because they are bigger, more expensive shrimp. I'm so excited!

Albertsons

Retails: $28.76

Total Spent: $3.18

Percent Off: 89%

How did I do it?

• sales: $17.94
• coupons: $3.00
• double coupons: $3.00

Money Left for the Month: $147.80

Wow! Check this out!

I just bought 2 videos (VHS, granted) and 4 neat books for $9.94, including the $3.99 shipping from Christian Books online. They have 30 pages filled with 90% plus clearanced deals, including videos, books, and music. Check it out here. There are some great things here.

Thanks stealofadeal!

Smiths and Albertsons

I had a $5 catalina that was going to expire today and didn't get a chance to go until Matt got back from a meeting late tonight. It was kind of fun, zombie-ing the aisles with all the college students, remembering the days when I actually had energy at midnight.

Smiths

Retails: $17.63

Total Spent: $4.30

Percent Off: 76%

How did I do it?

• coupons: $7.50. had 3 coupons for free Kitten Chow, had $1.50 diaper coupon
• had a $5 catalina
• sales: $.83

Albertsons

Retails: $13.34

Total Spent: $1.79

Percent Off: 87%

How did I do it?

• sales: $5.52
• clearance: $3
• coupons: $2.75
• double coupons: $2.75 (the cashier accidentally gave me $.50 extra on the double coupons. I pointed it out but he said it was his mistake and it was fine. Nice.)

By the way, the clam juice is not for a quick drink. I've made something delicious that I cannot remember right now that calls for it. It looks disgusting though.

Money Left for the Month: $165.71

Buy Low

Sorry, no picture. It's been one of those afternoons.

I bought 1 1/2 pounds of apples, an avocado, 1/2 pound cherries, lettuce, a cantaloupe, 1 1/2 pounds of peaches, a bunch of spinach, a pound of tomatoes, 4 dozen eggs, and a big old thing of corn tortillas.

Retails: $18.38

Total Spent: $7.99

Percent Off: 59%

The percentage would have been better but I needed those darn tortillas for the enchiladas (i forgot to list those when I made my menu. I'll fix that right now.) They were $2, a good price, and I'll freeze what we don't use. They will last for a bunch of meals.

Money Left for the Month: $171.80

6/3 Menu

I have a couple cookbooks that came at the end of last week, so I'm excited to try them out! I'm using The Taste of Home Cookbook this week. I'll let you know how I'm liking it.

Menu:

• Garlic Grilled Steak (the Taste of Home Cookbook, p.223)
• Taco Salad
• Colorful Frittata (TToHC, p.252), sausage
• Black bean Soup  (tToHC, p.60), salad, garlic breadsticks (tToHC, p.463)
• Pizza with homemade sauce
• Garlic Beef Enchiladas (tToHC, 107)

Sides:

fresh/frozen/canned fruits and veggies, potatoes: mashed/fries/hash browns, rice, salad, beans

Need:

• fresh fruits and veggies, Buy Low Wed. Deals
• corn tortillas

I just love Albertsons

This is the greatest sale! I had so much fun this morning.

Retails: $74.76

Total Spent: $6.43

Percent Off: 91%

How did I do it?

• sales: $40.38
• coupons: $19.22
• double coupons: $5.25 (I hit 2 different Albertsons. I keep hearing different things about their policies with how many you can use. I think I'm sticking with this: 1 set per day per store.)
• The Country Time also spits out a $1 catalina (like gift card you can use on anything) when you buy 2 that I used in my next transaction
• used Pinching Your Pennies to compile my list

Money Left for the Month: $179.79

thanks Krazy Coupon Lady

more Albertsons doublers

Retails: $14.69

Total Spent: $.37

Percent Off: 97%

Money Left for the Month: $186.22

How did I do it?

• sales: $4.89
• coupons: $6.19 (including a coupon for the vinegar for free)
• double coupons: $2.50

I am so excited about the Albertson's sale that starts tomorrow. There are great deals, plus there will be more doublers in the ad. Hooray! Click here if you're wanting to check it out (click on that first link).

Target

I had the WORST time today at the store. I thought it would be a quick little trip to Target and back but the world was against me. First the lights were out, making the shopping very slow. Then Sam was a stinker and YELLING at me the whole time. Then as I went to check out I discovered my diaper bag was stolen, with my keys, wallet, and cell phone in it. It was awful! Fortunately, it turns out that I was the one who stole it- long story, but I set it down in the store. I got everything back, thank goodness. I'm still tense.

Retails: $27.95

Total Spent: $4.17 

Percent Off: 85%

How did I do it?

• coupons: $18.53, including store and manufacturer's coupons
• with all the excitement, I missed giving $2 in coupons. I swear, I have had more problems with checkout in the last few weeks then I have ever had. Could it be connected in any way to my 15 month old? I LOVE shopping in the morning when he's still sleeping. It's heaven.
• used hip2save to compile my list 

By the way, have you noticed how often I complain? It's one of my talents apparently. Sorry, I'll work on it.

Money Left for the Month: $186.59

ok, fine

I was trying to cheat, but I didn't even realize it. As I was making dinner, I realized that everything I bought for us at Bath and Body Works had to count in my budget. Darn.

The rest of the stuff I got was for gifts. I'm not counting it, so there. Oh, and that little lotion thingy was free, they're throwing in with every purchase. It didn't get counted in my totals.

Retails: $17.00

Total Spent: $6.00

Percent Off: 65%

Money Left for the Month: $190.76

Bath and Body Works Sale

This has nothing to do with groceries, but I wanted to make sure you all knew about the Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual Sale that started today. I just bought $60 worth of stuff for $15. That's 75% off! I love it.

Don't forget about this coupon for $10 off $40 (I used this. I split it with my sister in law)

thanks hip2save!

More Money Baby

Hurray! A new month! That means my budget starts over. 

Money Left for the Month: $200.56 

(the 56 cents are left over from last month. it matters.)

Albertsons Doublers. Again.

I get 3 Daily Herald Sunday papers. I love getting 3 papers. Unfortunately the Herald doesn't have the doublers from Albertsons in them. I pay for 3 Sunday papers and have to go buy 2 more. Nice.

With that complaining out of the way, here's what I got today.

Retails: $17.91

Total Spent: $1.80

Percent Off: 91%

How did I do it?

• $4.38 in coupons: used 3 $1 coupons for the V8 Fusion, had 2 FREE candy bar coupons
• $3 in double coupons. This should have only been $2.64 in double coupons, but the cashier made a boo boo. I asked her about it and she told me not to worry about it, that it was her mistake. Great!
• bought the sausage on clearance. I use the hot sausage to make a delicious lasagna and it is regularly $4+ each. $1 is much better. I threw it in the freezer for when I can get the rest of the ingredients for cheap.

Plus I had to spend $2 total for 2 papers, so

Money Left for the Month: $196.76