Sneaky Double Coupons

It was like a "Where's Waldo" finding those Albertsons double coupons in the paper today. (I don't know if they were any where outside of Utah) Very exciting. And I KNOW I'm done with my budget for the month, but I just couldn't resist digging change out of my car to do these deals. We've been out of yogurt for ever and I have buying issues in general anyways, so there you go.

 

Retails: $22.63

Spent: 2.89 + $.50 for the paper= $3.39

Percent Off: 85%

How did I do it?

* Sales: $7.70

* Coupons: $6.88

* Double Coupons: $4 

4/29 Menu

Here's the menu for the week. By the way, did you notice there was no picture of the chicken from Buy Low on Friday? Me too. The problem was that it didn't get bought. Now I don't want to blame anyone or point any fingers, but can I just say that if MY wife were out of town, I would make a very quick trip to the store to pick up a staple she asked me very nicely to get so she could make me delicious dinners, especially if there was NO WAY for her to be able to get the chicken herself, since it was a one-day sale. But that's just me. 

FYI: we ended up doing a substitution last night because there WAS NO CHICKEN BREAST. (not that I even noticed or anything...)  We had grilled sausage on rice pilaf. 

Notice that I hardly need to buy anything for the dinners I plan. Instead, I am using my money to buy things that are on super sale. That helps my money go so much farther!

Anyways, on to the menu:

* BBQ hamburgers, homemade buns, homemade fries, grapes

* Pan-seared tilapia with herb butter sauce (Cooks Country aug '08, p.16), broccoli, harvest grains

* Mexican-Style Skillet Vermicelli (Americas Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, p.246), Corn

* Blueberry pancakes (ATKFC p. 272), sausage, eggs

* Roast with root veggies (ATKFC p. 408), canned peaches

* Ham and Cheese roll, yogurt, mixed veggies

Need:

* cilantro $.33/bunch- maceys or $.50/bunch- sunflower market

* eggs $1.79 18 ct- smiths or $.98 12 ct- reams

* grapes $.77/lb- sunflower market

Just so you know, I'm not going to those stores just for the above items. My time is worth more than that. I have multiple good deals to snag at each of these stores.

A bonus!

Today was very exciting. I got 2 rebates back for a total of $18 and since I take them out of my monthly budget, when they come back they get added to my budget. I was out of money for the month and got a bonus! Whoo hoo!

Of course I hit Albertsons

Retails: $44.64

Spent: $9.96

Percent Off: 78%

How did I do it?

* only $4 in coupons 

* the rest were shopping the sales. I also hit the Easter clearance that was 75% off. I'm excited about the "transparent gift wrap" I got for 19 cents. 

I also went to Walgreens

Retails: $52.77

Spent: $7.92

Percent Off: 85%

Plus, made $14.50 in Register Rewards to use at another purchase.

How did I do it?

* Sales: $19.98

* Coupons: $6

* Register Rewards: $16

Walmart. Boo.

Retails: $29

Total Paid: $10.79

Confession: I didn't get as good of a deal as it looks. This was very sneaky of me. I actually had a return for $14 for something I received as a gift and didn't need. My straightener went out about a week ago and I am TIRED of looking awful. I couldn't find it on sale but I needed it right away, so I went to the place I could get it for the cheapest: Walmart. Oh joy. The sunglasses were $5- my 3rd pair in that many months- and the shower gel was free with coupon. 

If only I would stop breaking my sunglasses...

Happy Earth Day!

I ran to Albertsons today to get the potatoes and what did I get? Potatoes. And nothing else. My dad would be so proud.

Retails: $4.27

Total: $1.89

Percent Off: 66% (only 66%?!!)

Walgreens was the place to be today. They took an extra 15% off and threw in a bag for Earth Day. Super!

Retails: $28

Total: $8.01

Out of Pocket: $0.00

I paid with $7 Register Rewards and $1.01 on my Walgreens card from past rebates.

I got $5 in RR.

I LOVE free trips!

Menu 4/22- 4/28

Here's my menu for the week, using up stuff in my food storage along with a few items I need to buy. I just had some family come over for dinner yesterday and was so glad that I didn't have to run to the store to buy a bunch of stuff- I just expanded the meal I was already planning. I LOVE having my own store in my basement! 

(and I love family too! Thanks for coming everyone)

Menu

* Grilled Bone-In Chicken Breasts (Americas Test Kitchen Family Cookbook p.478), homemade fries, fruit, glazed carrots (ATKFC p.148)

* Belgium Waffles with Whipped Cream, Peach Syrup, Peaches, sausage

* Hawaiian Pizza, bread sticks, fruit

I'll be out of town, so Freezer Meals for Matt:

* Bertollis, veggies, fruit

* Burritos (pre-made, in freezer), leftover beans and rice 

* Kashi frozen meal, veggies, fruit

To Buy:

* potatoes 1.88/10 lb, albertsons

* Bone in chicken breasts, $.99/lb, buy low

Another Albertsons Doubler

My mom is here for a few days and bought another Sunday paper last night. She gave me the double coupons! Hooray! I did a quick trip and here's my results:

(sorry it's sideways- I'm gifted)

Retails: $15.48

Spent: $1.75

Percent Off: 89%

The toilet bowl cleaner was free, the Right Guard was 67 cents each (they were all out of the free ones- boo) and they printed out a catalina for the free Gatorade. Nice.