Friday Finals – Kroger, Tom Thumb, Sprouts, CVS, Walgreens

I have announced my winners for the two giveaways I had on Purex items. Stop by my Giveaways page to see if you won. 


Also I am still looking for five guest bloggers to post on the week of 12-16 contact me or post a comment and I will get back to you. Looking for articles you have written or want to write on topics such as:

Frugal living ideas
Ways to save money – not grocery related
Couponing ideas
Any tips concerning cooking, cleaning, organizing
Fun kid activities 

Here are the most clickiest links from last week:

~   ~   ~

Now on to savings totals:


Kroger 

1 Perdue Chicken $2.50 – $1/1 Perdue Chicken Kroger eCoupon

            -Final $1.50
1 Armour Pepperoni $3.00 – $1/1 Armour Pepperoni catalina
            -Final $2.00
2 Gortons Fish $3.25 – $1/1 Gorton’s Product Printable
            -Final $3.00 each
1 Kroger Cheese $1.67
1 Kroger Butter $2.25
1 Kraft Easy Mac & Cheese $1.19 – FREE Kroger Daytona days
            -Final FREE – I LOVE FREE
1 Package Kroger Chicken Breasts $7.20 – $1.50/7 lbs meat Kroger Home Mailer
            -Final $5.70
I spent $18.62 and saved $16.11 on $34.73 mostly on meat this shopping trip. My daughter loves those Kraft Mac & Cheese cups, since she can take them to school for lunch. I am also trying to change from margarine to Butter. Butter just seems more natural than all the other artificial ingredients in margarine.
Tom Thumb

1 Wesson Canola Oil $2.99
2 18 Count Eggs $1.99 each Store coupon
8 Milk 50% off clearance $1.04 each – I plan on freezing these
2 International Delight creamer $2.49 Each store coupon – $1/2 Peelie coupon
            -Final $1.99 each
1 Martha White Muffins $1.19 – $0.35 tripled RP 11/13/11
            -Final $0.14
3 Cans Hunts Tomatoes $0.89 each store coupon – $0.45/3 doubled Hunts Tomatoes SS 1/22/12
            -Final $0.59 each
1 Starkist Tuna pouch $1.25 – $0.50/1 doubled Tuna Pouch March All YOU MAG
            -Final $0.25
2 Kettle Chips $1.98 each Store Q – $1/1 Kettle Chips RP 01/08/12
            -Final $1.48 each
I spent $23.99 and saved $23.95 on $47.95 worth of food. Since I now have milk and bread and I am stocked up on nearly everything. The only thing I am a little low on is lunch meat.  

Sprouts

.42lbs Dried Cranberries @ $2.99 lb
            -Final $1.26
4 So Delicious Coconut Milk 1 Qt $1.79 each – 4 $1/1 So Delicious Product
            -Final $0.79 each
3 Clif Bars $0.89 each – 1 is missing from the pic. It was too good I ate it.
1 lb Asparagus @ $0.99 lb
            -Final $0.99
2 Avocados $0.69 each
2 Organic Seed Packets $1.99 – $2/2 Seeds of Change March ALL You
            -Final $1.98
1 Garden Kit $3.99 – $2/1 Seeds of Change Garden Kit. March ALL You
            -Final $1.99
I spent $13.45 and saved $8.00 on fresh food and groceries this trip. The two seed kits will not go towards my grocery budget this week. But I did want to show you this awesome deal. How awesome to get organic seeds and also have coupons for them? I was excited, since I looked at these last week, but thought it was a little expensive. Then I found the coupon. Woo Hoo.
Walgreens
1st Transaction
6 Boxes of Gelatin $0.10 each clearance
            -Final $0.10 each
1 Burts Bees Throat Drop Honey $1.99
OOP
$2.59
Received
$2.00 RR for the Burts Bees.
2nd Transaction
1 5 Blade mens razor $3.99
Used:
$2.00 from Previous transaction
OOP:
$2.15
Received:
$3.00 RR for the Razor
CVS
1 Can Lindsey Black Olives $0.99
1 Hydro Razor $8.49
1 Colgate Toothbrush $3.99
1 Physicians Formula Blush $12.79
Used:
$4.00/1 Schick Hydro 5 Razor SS 02/26/12
$0.75/1 Colgate Toothbrush SS 02/26/12
$1/1 Physicians Formula SS 02/12/12
$4 ECBs
$1 ECB
$6.99 ECB
OOP:
$8.53
Received:
$4.00 ECB Schick Hydro
$7.00 ECB Physicians Formula
$2.00 Colgate reward
So I made money this trip!

I may not need to go shopping next week. Wow what will I do with all my free time? Any suggestions 

Altogether I spent $65.36 and saved $63.80 for groceries and healthcare items this week.*

*I did not include my seed cost or savings in these totals.

~   ~   ~

Want to reduce your grocery budget checkout my


Find more great deals join Pounds4Pennies BlogFrog community or stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook  for MUCH MORE great savings and deals and steals.

How did your savings go this week? Looking at how others save is the best way to learn great couponing strategies and where good deals are. 

Friday Finals – Kroger, Tom Thumb, CVS and Sprouts

I have been super busy this week. I am planning my stepson’s birthday party. We are hosting a Wii party this year at our house. I can’t wait to share the pictures of all the things I have made to make this a great birthday for him. There was not a lot of stuff out there for Wii party ideas, so I had to come up with a few of my own. I will take lots of pictures and share on Wednesday.

I am also a team coach for my daughters DI team. DI is a great organization where the kids put on a skit based on criteria provided and also have an instant challenge. It teaches leadership and developing new skills. Any and all schools can participate, even homeschooled children. You just need to get a team together. We are in our build phase for our set and I have been having girls over at my house painting, sawing, drilling. Whatever it takes to get the job done. Needless to say I am exhausted.
With these two events going on this week, my life has been a little chaotic to say the least. I did manage to get some shopping in. My grocery bill is a little over budget, but some of these items are for the party. As you may also see, it is mainly snacks. We had run out of just about everything except crackers. So I made sure we stocked up. We will see how long this holds us over.
Tom Thumb 01/23/12
3 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers $1.00 each
            -Final $1.00 each
1 Pepperidge Farm Naturals crackers $2.50 – $0.50/1 Pepperidge Farms Natural doubled
            -Final $1.50
4 Boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.77 – 2 $0.75/2 Nature Valley Granola Bars
            -Final $1.40 each average – WE LOVE THESE
4 Betty Crocker Simply Fruit roll ups $0.99 must by 4 – 2 $0.50/1 Betty Crocker Fruit Roll ups, one doubled, one did not
            -Final $0.62 each average
1 Package Black Beans $0.99
2 Pace Picante sauce $1.99 – $0.50/2 doubled Pace Picante Sauce
            -Final $1.49 each
2 V8 Fruit Fusion $1.99 – $1/2 V8 Fruit Fusion Printable
            -Final $1.49 each
1 V8 Fruit Smoothie $1.99 – $1/1 V8 Fruit Smoothie
            -Final $0.99
1 Pillsbury Frosting $1.99 – $0.35/1 Pillsbury Brownie or frosting
            -Final $0.94 – This is for the party
2 7 Ups $0.88 each – This is for the party
1 Starkist Tuna $1.19 – $0.50/1 Starkist Tuna pouch
            -Final $0.19 – Great Deal! STOCK UP!
2 Bear Creek Soup B1G1 $4.49 – $1/1 Bear Creek Soup
            -Final $1.75 each – Unadvertised deal
3 Kleenex Tissues $0.85 each – $0.50/3 doubled Kleenex tissues
            -Final $0.52 each
1 Loaf French Bread $1.99
I spent $32.68 and saved $51.06 on $83.74 worth of groceries and products for my family. I found several unadvertised deals at Tom Thumb this week. Some are good until the end of February.
Kroger 1/24/12
5 Boxes Barilla pasta $1 each – 5 $0.55/1 Barilla Whole Grain Pasta
            -Final $0.45 each
2 lbs. Kroger Cheese $2.99 each
2 Bags Tortilla Chips $1.00 each – One for the party
4 Progresso Soups $1.00 – $1/4 Progresso Soups
            -Final $0.75 each
4 Brawny Paper Towels $1 each – 2 $1/1 Brawny Printable, 2 $0.55/1 Brawny Printable
            -Final $0.23 each
4 Angel Soft Bath tissue $1 each – 4 $0.45/1 Angel Soft Bath Tissue
            -Final $0.55 each
I spent $16.59 and saved $18.71 on $35.30 worth of groceries and products at Kroger.
Tom Thumb 01/24/12
1 Pepperidge Farm Naturals crackers $2.50 – $0.50/1 Pepperidge Farms Natural doubled
            -Final $1.50
1 Starkist Tuna $1.19 – $0.50/1 Starkist Tuna pouch
            -Final $0.19
1 Whonu cookies $2.50 – $1/1 Whonu cookies
            -Final $1.50
4 Mrs. Bairds Natural Bread B1G1 $3.19 – $0.55/1 Mrs. Bairds Bread
            -Final $1.32 each
I paid $8.47 and saved $13.07 on $21.54 worth on retail groceries. I am able to make two Tom Thumb trips each week, since this is on the way home from my taking my son to his Mommy’s day out program at my church.
Sprouts
4 Voskos Green Yogurt $2.00 each
           
I spent $8.00 on my favorite yogurt this week at Sprouts.
CVS
2 Gallons Milk $3.29 – 2 $1/1 Oak Farms Milk, $1 ECB
            -Final $1.79 each, Received $2 ECBs
I spent $3.58 on really good milk at CVS this week and saved $3.00.
This is everything for the week. I spent $69.32 and saved $85.84 on $155.16 worth of groceries and necessary items my family needed this week. I am over budget, but I did buy several things for the party this week. It doesn’t look like there is much I want for next week.
Want to find more great deals? Join Pounds4Pennies BlogFrog community or stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook  for MUCH MORE great savings and deals and steals.
How did your shopping trips go this week? Leave a linkup below and share a comment.

Friday Finals – 01-20-12

I am still recovering this week from my nasty cold and trying to get caught up on the loads of housework that needs to be done. But I feel so much better. Did more shopping this week and more savings. I scored FREE theraflu this week at CVS see below. I could have used this last week. 


Here are the links that were the clickiest from last week. Stop by to see their awesome savings and say Hi:

Kroger
10 Bush Beans $0.57 each average (they were $0.54 & $0.59 each)
1Gallon Milk $2.38
4 Libby’s Veggies $0.62 each – $1/4 Libby canned Vegetables RP 11/13/11
            -Final $0.37 each
1 Package 12 K cup coffee $7.69 – $2/1 Millstone K-Cup RP 10/23/11
            -Final $5.69
Total spent $15.25 and saved $12.23 on $27.48 worth of groceries this week. I bought more beans for pantry stock up items. This was mainly a pantry stock up trip.

Tom Thumb 1st trip 01/15/12

1 Fritos Scoops $1.99 sale – We had Fritos pies for dinner. YUM
2 18 Count Eggs $1.99 each
1 Sweet Potato fries $2.19
1 Potatoes O’Brian $2.19
1 Milk $2.38
2 Hormel Lunch Meat $2.49 – 2 $0.50/1 (One doubled) Hormel Lunchmeat SS 01/08/12
            -Final $1.74 each average
3 Hunts Snack Packs $0.99 sale – $0.45/3 doubled Hunts Snack Pack SS 01/01/12
            -Final $0.69 each
2 Quaker Oatmeal instant $3.39 B1G1
            -Final $1.70 each
1 Pillsbury Brownie Mix $0.99 sale – $0.35/1 tripled Pillsbury Brownie or Frosting RP 11/06/11
            -Final FREE – I LOVE FREE
4 Chef Boyardee $0.89 sale – $0.50/4 doubled Chef Boyardee SS 01/01/12
            -Final $0.64 each
I used $2.00 off my next purchase and a $1.00 off my next purchase catalinas that printed last time. So I basically got my milk for free this week.
I spent $20.92 and saved $22.88 on $43.80 worth of groceries this trip. I have been going to Tom Thumb more, since I can use double and triple coupons. I have been finding better deals at Tom Thumb vs. Kroger.
Tom Thumb 2nd Trip 01/17/12


3 Sliced cheese $2.00 each
1 Imperial Margarine $0.69
1 Hormel Lunch meat $2.49 – $0.50/1 doubled Hormel Lunchmeat SS 01/08/12
            -Final $1.49
1 Pillsbury Brownie mix $0.99 sale – $0.35/1 tripled Pillsbury Brownie Mix or Frosting RP 11/06/11
            -Final FREE – I LOVE FREE and I got two boxes
I paid $8.19 and saved $7.19 on $15.38 worth of food retail this trip. I went back mainly for the lunch meat and brownie mix.
SPROUTS
2 Bell Peppers @ $0.49 each
5.23 lbs Onions @ $0.49 lb.
            -Final $2.56
I spent $3.54 on produce this week.
CVS

5 Theraflu 8count $1.99 each
1 Pediacare Fever reducer $4.99
1 CVS Double Pack Womens Multi-Vitamin -$8.99
Used:
5 $2/1 Any Theraflu product SS 12/04/11
1 $1/1 Pediacare Product Printable
1 $2 ECB
1 $1 ECB
20% off my order $1.91
Received $2 ECB
OOP:
I spent $8.02 and saved $15.91 on drug store products this week. I got 5 packages of Theraflu for FREE this week. A total of 40 pills for free!

Altogether I spent $55.92 for the week and saved $58.21 for the week on $114.31 worth of food and health care needs. I am little over budget, but I didn’t get out much last week due to being sick. So it will all work out in the end. I still had more saving than half this week.
I feel my pantry is pretty stocked right now. In February it will be a year since I have started extreme couponing and my pantry is stocked more now than it ever has been. I like that I have food to cook at any time. I can also make just about any meal or snack, since I already have most of the ingredients for anything I may want to cook. Even if the kids suggest something I usually have the ingredients to make whatever they want. This has allowed me to stay at home and still cook nutritious meals and snacks for the kids.


Stay connected with Pounds4Pennies on Facebook or join me at Pounds4Pennies on BlogFrog community for more great savings.  

How did you do this week? The best way to learn is to visit others sites to see how they save. Please leave a comment if you don’t have a blog to share or just leave a comment. I love to hear from you.

Friday Final 12-16-11

I see the sun! I see the sun! It has been nearly a week here in Texas with no sun and raining for three days. While we need the rain due the drought, we are all going a little stir crazy. I have been trying to find some creative things for me and little face to do. I think he is more than ready to get outside today.

I am trying to still stay within my grocery budget while shopping for additional food Christmas gifts. This has been an amazing challenge. As I have said before, I love challenges. I am still under budget again this week. Can I get a woot woot!
I also wanted to say I document all my food and family necessity purchases here. I have noticed some coupon sites only document what they spend at a certain store or just what they bought with coupons. I document all my fruit and produce, milk, eggs, diapers, vitamins and ect… I want to show you how to buy real food for your family for a small budget and how to save money while using coupons to save even more money. I want to share my tips with you to stay connected join Pounds4Pennies on Facebook.

A quick click below for a vote at TOP Mommy Blogs would be an easy and nice gift for me.
Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory




KROGER 12/15/11
3 Chex Cereal $2.00 each – $1/2 eCoupon from Kroger – I want to make some Chex Mix
            -Final average $1.66
1 MillStone Coffee $7.69 – $2/1 K-cup RP 10/23/11
            -Final $5.69
1 Carnation Instant Dry Milk $2.00 – $0.50/1 Carnation Dry Milk RP 09/25/11
            -Final $1.50
1 Butterscotch Chips Kroger $1.79 – Needed these for some cookies I want to make
1 Whole Wheat Artisan Bread $1.00 Managers Special
1 Huggies Diapers $4.89 Managers Special!
2 18 count Eggs $1.88 each
I spent $24.03 and saved $8.62 on $32.65 worth of groceries. It is more around $16.00 in savings since the diapers and bread were managers special they do not reflect in the savings.

WALMART 12/10/11
2 Wolf Brand Chili $2.00
8 Cans Libby’s Veggies $0.75 – 2 $1/4 Libby’s Canned Veggies 08/28/11
            -Final $0.50 each
1 Carmex Lip Balm $0.98 – $1/1 Carmex RP 10/30/11
            -Final FREE + $0.02 overage
4 Johnson RED + First aid Kits $0.97 each – $1/1 Johnson Red + item SS 11/06/11
            -Final FREE + $0.21 Total Overage
2 Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa $1.28 each – $0.50/2 Swiss miss Hot CoCoa SS 11/13/11
            -Final $1.03 each
1 Can GV Tomato Paste – $0.44 – For yummy chili
1Benadryl Itch Pen $2.28 – $2/1 Benedryl Product RP 06/19/11
            -Final $0.28
2 Arm and Hammer Washing Powder $3.24 each – $1/2 A&H Washing product
            -Final $2.74 each
I spent $15.20 and $9.50 coupon saving on $24.70 of household items. I am planning on making my own clothes washing soap soon.
SPROUTS 12/10/11 
Picture with Walmart Items above.

.91 Lbs Rolled Oats @ $0.74/lb – $0.67
2 Stoneyfield Yogurt $2.79 – 2 $1/1 Stoneyfield Yogurt coupons Sprouts Magazine
            -Final $1.79 each
I spent $4.25 and saved $2.00 plus more, since there was a sale on all bulk items.

TOM THUMB 12/10/11
8 Progresso Soups $1.11 – 2 $1/4 Coupons
            -Final $0.86 each
I spent $6.88 and saved $12.24 from sale and coupons on $19.12 worth of soup.
I spent $50.36 this week and saved $32.36 on $82.72 worth of family necessities this week.
Stay connected to Pounds4Pennies on Facebook.

Friday Finals

I made one last stop at Kroger on Tuesday before the big no more double and triple coupons. I have to say that I am really disappointed in this decision by Kroger. I wish they would have limited it to either one or two can be doubled at a time rather than removing the entire program. The other really big piece that has been taken away is you can no longer use a coupon on a free item such as a B1G1 deal. This was very helpful for vitamins. I found some really good deals on children’s and adult vitamins.
Kroger has been putting some very high value coupons on the eCoupons site. You may want to go and check them out, if you are going to still shop at Kroger.

With all that said I did pretty well in my shopping this week. Here is the breakdown by store:

Walmart 09/09/11
(1) Huggies Flushable Moist wipes $1.64 – $1/1
            -Final $0.64
(1) Speed stick Deodorant $0.97 – $0.75/1 Catalina
            -Final $0.22
(4) Cascade 3 count Paks $0.97 – 4 $1/1 Any Cascade P&G
            -Final FREE +$0.03 Money Maker
(1) Lamasil Foot Spray $5.97 – $3/1 Any Lamasil Product
            -Final $2.97
I paid $3.71 and saved $8.75 on $12.46 retail worth of products. The Lamasil is a great deal.
CVS 09/11/11
(1) Fruit Newtons $2.50
(1) Irish Spring $2.99
(2) Herbal Essence $2.99 each
(1) Huggies Pull Up $8.99
(1) CVS Allergy 5 count
USED:
$2.50 – FREE Fruit Newton print from Kiosk
$5/25 – Coupon loaded onto card
2 $1/1 Herbal Essence Conditioners
$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers
$1 ECB
$1 ECB
$3 ECB
$7 ECB
I paid $2.72 for all the products listed above and saved $23 on $25.72 items retail.
RECEIVED:
$2 ECB – Irish Spring
$3.69 ECB – Allergy Medicine
$2.00 ECB – Herbal Essence
$1 ECB – Huggies
I had a great time shopping at CVS. I went in only to pick up my papers this Sunday. I decided to go to the Kiosk to print out my coupons to see what it was printing this week. To my surprise my $5/$25 was good until Tuesday and I got FREE Fruit Newtons. I thought the $5/$25 had expired. I was so glad I brought my binder with me. I really scored today at CVS.
Walmart 09/13/11
(1) GV Soy Sauce $1.64
(1) Nutella $3.18 – $1/1 Nutella Printable
            -Final $2.18
(4) Planters Peanut butter $1.98 – $.75/1 Planters Peanut Butter
            -Final $1.23 each
(1) Benadryl Stick $2.28 – $2/1 Benedryl product Peelie
            -Final $0.28
(1) Whonu Cookies $2.78 – $1/1 Whonu cookies
            -Final $1.78
(1) Peter Pan Peanut Butter $1.49 – Price Matched to Albertsons $0.50/1 All You
            -Final $0.99
(4) Velveeta Nacho Skillet $0.99 each – Price Matched to Albertsons, $1/1 Velveeta
            -Final FREE
I spent $11.75 and saved $11.50 on $23.25 at Walmart. This is the first time I have tried the price match. It went really smooth. Albertson’s has better prices than Tom Thumb and Kroger. So I may be doing more Walmart price match shopping soon. I needed Soy Sauce and the coupon I had for Kikkoman did not make this cheaper than the Walmart brand.
Last Double and Triple Coupons at Kroger 09/13/11
(2) Yoplait 2 lbs $2.69 each – 2 $0.50 doubled
            -Final $1.69 each
(1) Ronzoni Pasta Garden Delight $1.00 – $1/1 Garden Delight Morning star Booklet
            -Final FREE
(4) Pilsbury Cinnamon Rolls 5 count $1.00 – 4 $0.30/1 Tripled
            -Final $0.10 each
(4) Huggies Baby Wipes $1.99 each – 4 $0.50/1 Doubled
            -Final $0.99 each
(2) Disney Vitamins $6.99 B1G1 – $2/1 Disney Vitamins Printable
            -Final $2.50 each
(6) Pilsbury Crescent Rolls 4 pack $1.00 – 3 $0.40 each doubled
            -Final $0.60 each
(2) Fliechmans Yeast $1.59 each – 2 $0.40/1 doubled Printable
            -Final $0.79 each
(2) Chef Boyardee $1.00 each  - $0.50/2 doubled ALL YOU
            -Final $0.50 each
(2) Land of Frost Lunch Meat $2.50 each – $0.55/1
            -Final $1.95 each
(1) Jennie –O Turkey Bacon $2.50
(2) Frenchs Onions $2.07 – $0.50/1 Any French’s Onions
            -Final $1.07 – Walmart is a better deal
(1) Pull up Baby Wipes dispenser $2.79 – $2/1 Huggies coupon Mailed
            -Final $0.79
(1) Welchs jelly $1.99 – $0.35 tripled Welchs Jelly
            -Final $0.94
(1) Minute Maid Juice $3.50 – $1/1 Coupon Printable
            -Final $2.50 Cheaper at Walmart
(5) Hunts Snack pack Pudding $1.00 – 1 $0.50/2 doubled All You, 1 $0.45/3 doubled
            -Final $0.62 each average
I spent $35.01 and saved $46.42 on $81.43 worth of retail groceries at my final double and triple coupon shop. It was later that I realized I used the Land of Frost coupons incorrectly. The coupon states it is for the Premium 1 lb size. I didn’t know this until I got home and I was going to tell a friend about it. I pulled my coupon and it was for the incorrect item. I try to use my coupons responsibly and do not intentionally try to use fraud. This was an error on my part. Sometime I just get excited to see I have a match for something I don’t always read exactly what the coupon says.
At Sprouts I spent $5.04 and used one coupon for eggs $0.55. If I have some time I will post this later tonight.
This week I spent $58.23 and saved $90.22 on $147.90 retail. How did you do this week? What are your thoughts on Kroger changing their coupon policy so drastically?

Kroger Shopping

I found a few unadvertised deals at Kroger today

-Haribo Gummies $1.00 – $0.30 Printable Q
($0.10)

-Ronzoni pasta is $1.00 I think the coupons will reset on 07/01/11 to get it for $1/2 again.

-Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta is $1.00 and Morning Star Coupon booklet pictured below. SS 05/15/11
            -FREE

Both the pastas had good until 07/25/11 on the price tag. So this is going to be going on for a while.

I found the hand baked bread with stone ground wheat about to expire near a section by the refrigerated area for only $1.00. This is normally marked $3.99 a loaf. I purchased the ones with whole grain stone ground wheat and no bleached white flour. I am freezing these and using them to toast or just use a few slices at a time. So keep an eye out for these. They are heartier and heavier than the normal bread Kroger sells.

Stop back by on Friday to link up any Shopping trips you may have.