Publix trip 8/25

Publix trip 8/25. Spent $33.89 Saved $94.97 or 74%

It's been a slow summer as far as the sales are concerned. I am so glad to see they are coming back!

Here are the coupons that I used:

$5/25 Winn Dixie competitor coupon from their sales flyer
2 Noxzema razors, rain check- bogo $4.99, used 2 $2.00 mq = .50 cents each
2 Almond breeze milk, sale 2/$5, used 2 - .55 cent blinkies = $1.95 each
2 Sundown vitamins, $4.99 fish oil and $2.99 vit D, used $6/2 PQ from green advantage flyer (Friday is the last day) + $2.00 MQ + $1.00 MQ = FREE  + .02 cent money maker
2 Kens marinade, bogo $2.99, used 2 $1.00 mq = .49 cents each
6 Campbell's select harvest soups, bogo $2.49, used 2 $1.50/3 IP = .75 cents each
2 Aunt Jemima waffles, bogo $2.15, used $1/2 mq = .57 each
8 Scotties Tissues, bogo $1.25, used 2 $1.00 IP (no longer available) + 2- .50/3 = .25 cents each!!!
2 Advil , sale $4.49, used $5/2 PQ from green advantage flyer (expires Friday) + 2 $2.00 mq = FREE + .02 Money Maker!!!
2 Natures Own bread, bogo $2.59, used 2- .75 IP = .55 cents each
4 Lysol wipes (big container), bogo $4.99, used 2 $1.00/2 = $2.00 each + Rebate for one free!
4 Emerald Cashews, bogo $5.79, used 2- $1.50/2 IP = $2.15 each
1 Angel Soft 12 pk, sale $5.49 used .50 mq = $4.99
3 Snack Pack, sale $1.00, used .55/2 PQ + .45/3 mq = .67 cents each

Publix shopping 7/7

I haven't blogged about my shopping trips at all this summer! The deals just don't seem to be as good as they use to be...or maybe it's because I am stocked up on everything and don't need to purchase much. Please keep in mind that my freezer is full of meats and I buy my vegetables at the produce market or Save A Lot. You can find the coupon abbreviations page on the right if you are not familiar with them.
Today I bought sushi for lunch for $6.99, that price is not included in my totals since the money comes out of a different envelope. (I am on the Dave Ramsey envelope budget system). The two dozen eggs came from Walgreens, .99 cents each, so they are not included in the Publix total.

Today I spent $41.09 and saved $75.59 or 65%.
2 Luigi sugar free Italian ice, bogo $3.19, used 2 $1.00 MQ = .60 cents each
4 Cool juice, bogo $2.99, used 4 $1.00 IP = .49 cents each
4 Yoplait yo plus yogurt, bogo $2.29 , used 4 .50 mq = .65 cents each
2 kleenex , sale $1.25 ea. , used $1.00/2 PQ = .75 each
2 Crest toothpaste, sale $1.00 each, used 2 .75 MQ = .25 cents each
1 Meow Mix cat food, not on sale, used $2.00 PQ and $1.00 MQ = $9.99
6 Welches fruit snacks, $2.75 bogo, used 2 .50 IP and 2 $1.00/2 MQ = .87 each
4 Barilla mini pasta, $1.27 bogo, used 4 $1.00 MQ = .08 each
1 tub cottonelle wipes, sale $1.99 no coupon
2 Nature Valley granola bars, sale $3.99 each , used .75/2 IP = $3.62 each (I thought these were bogo, my mistake!)
2 Wishbone salad dressing, $2.69 bogo, used $1.00 PQ = .85 cents each
2 Sundown vitamins, $2.99 each, used $6.00/2 PQ and 2 $1.00 MQ = $2.02 Money Maker!
2 Hunts diced tomatoes, $1.29 bogo, no coupon = .65 cents each
2 Smuckers Chocolate topping, sale $1.89 each, used $1.00 PQ and $1.00/2 MQ = .89 cents each
2 Covergirl mascara , sale $2.99 each, used $2.50/2 MQ = $1.75 each

Publix and Walgreens

This is what I purchased at Publix on 6/2. I spent $57.86 and saved $56.99. Just about 50% savings, that is the lowest percentage since I started couponing! There were a lot of good deals this week, just no coupons to match up with them!
Here are the few coupon match ups that I did have:
2- crab classic Surimi, bogo $2.99, used 2 - $1.00 IP = .50 cents each
2- Almond Breeze milk, sale $2/$6, used 2- .55 blinkies = $2.45 each
1- kraft big slice swiss cheese, $2.99 , used $1.00 blinkie = $1.99
2- Healthy Harvest spaghetti, bogo $1.89, used .50/2 mq = .45 cents each
4 - Ronzoni Garden delight, bogo $1.89, used 4- $1.00 mq = Free plus Money Maker
2- bags of red potatoes, bogo $2.99, used 1 - .50 IP = $1.75 each
2 - Whisk laundry soap, sale $3.99, used 2- $2.00 mq = $1.99 each
Here is what I bought without coupons:
1 chicken, sale $4.97
2 lobster surimi, $2.99 bogo = $1.50 each
2 yoplait yo plus yogurt , $2.00 bogo = $1.00 each
2 fresh express bag salad, $3.69 bogo = $1.85 each
2 organic bag salad, sale 2/$4 = $2.00 each
2 hormel natural choice turkey, sale 2/$5 = $2.50 each
1 bacon, sale $3.00
2 fiber one cereal, $4.09 bogo = $2.05 each (forgot my 2- .75 cent IP)
2 Aunt Jamima whole wheat pancake mix, $2.56 bogo, = $1.28 each
1 publix multi grain bagel $2.49
2 Lance cookies/crackers, 2/$4 = $2 each
2 skippy natural peanut butter, $2.49 bogo = $1.25 each
When I got home and was unpacking everything I noticed that the crab classic surimi was out of date, so I have to take it back! I will also bring my cereal coupons to see if they will take them.

Next is my Walgreens trip on 5/29. I spent $15.64 and saved $77.21 or 83%. Lots of great deals and freebies with coupons and register rewards. I split this stuff into 4 different transactions so I could use the register rewards! Its past lunch time...I need some food, so I won't list the coupons. (the only thing that I bought that wasn't in the flyer is the 2 small tubes of lotion. It was on sale for .74 and I needed a filler to use my $10 register reward...i miss calculated the total). Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions!
Walgreens trip # 2 (not pictured) = The ecotrin was a money maker so I went back for 3 more,  another bag of sugar, scott naturals paper towels, 5 jello, case of water. I paid $6.21 and Saved $20.84 or 77%.

CVS & Publix 5/27

This morning I saved $110 at CVS. I paid just $4.13 oop, that's a savings of 96%!!!
4 - L'Oreal under eye concealers on clearance for $2.99 (75% off) used 4 - $3.00 MQ = FREE + .04 cents
2 - L'Oreal powder, clearance for $3.62 (75% off) used 2 - $3.00 MQ = .62 cents each
1 - Revlon eyeliner ,clearance (75% off) $2.62 no coupon
1 - Rimmel mascara,$2.07 clearance (75% off), used $1.00 MQ = $1.07
1- Rimmel foundation $1.75 clearance (75% off), used $1.00 MQ = .75 cents
3- Ivory soaps, rain check for .99 cents each, used 3- $1.00 MQ = FREE
1- Qtip, sale $1.99, used .30 mq = $1.69
1 green bag tag, used free bag tag coupon from the red machine = FREE
Used $5/25 CVS email coupon
Last Saturday I picked up two covergirl blush at Publix for only .34 cents each, so now I am all stocked up on makeup for awhile!

This is my grocery shopping trip for today (5/27) at Publix. I spent $18.60, saved $34.89 or 65%.
That is really good considering all the meat I purchased and not having coupons for the baked beans, buns, sour cream or butter. The lettuce, bananas, tomato and red onion came from Walmart for $3.04.
Here are the coupons that I used:
2 vitamins, $4.69 and $4.29, used $6/2 PQ and 2 - $1.00 mq = .49 cents each ( I am now stocked up again on vitamins!)
1- toaster strudel, $2.45, used a FREE MQ that I got in the mail and $1.00 PQ = $1.00 Money Maker!
2 - Baby Rays BBQ sauce, $1.97 bogo, used $1/2 mq = .49 cents each
1 - sour cream sale $1.05
1- butter sale $2.50
1- hot dog  & hamburger buns sale .99 cents each
6 - Bushs baked beans, $1.97 bogo = .99 cents each
2 - ground chuck $7.72
1- chicken breast $4.12
1- chicken leg quarters $4.37
Used a $10/40 Sweetbay competitor coupon (great way to save on meat!)

Grocery & Drug store shopping week of 5/15

Today at Publix I spent $25.86 and saved $59.81 or 70%. That is about average savings for me. Today I bought a bunch of items that I didn't have coupons for so I guess that is a great trip! Here is what I purchased:
2 Whiskas cat food bogo $4.49, used 2 - $1.00 mq and 2 - .75 winn dixie coupons = .50 cents each
2 arnolds bread bogo $4.29, no coupon but its my favorite! = $2.25 each
hot dog buns no sale or coupon = $1.19
hamburger buns sale $2.00 no coupon
2 yoplait yo plus yogurt, 2/$4, used $2/2 PQ from yellow advantage flyer = $1.00 each
2 John Morrell ham, bogo $3.79 no coupon = $1.90 each
2 JM turkey, bogo $3.79 no coupon = $1.90 each
Publix sour cream, sale .99 cents, no coupon
2 stride gum, used $1/2 mq and a bogo free PQ from yellow flyer = .25 cents each
sundown fish oil and melatonin $6/2 PQ from green flyer and 2 - $1.00 mq = .50 cents each
2 pedigree dentastix, $3.59 bogo, used 2 - $1 pq and 2- $1.00 mq = .41 cent MONEY MAKER
2 Chinette napkins, bogo $2.15, used 2 - .75 mq = .32 each
2 Wheat thins veggie chips, bogo $3.39 no coupon = $1.69 each
2 post great grains cereal , bogo $4.09, no coupon = $2.05 ( I usually dont like paying this much for cereal but we like this kind and my coupons had expired!)
1 mission flour tortilla, sale $1.79, used $1.00 IP = .79 cents
1 mission corn tortilla, sale $1.50, used $1.00 IP = .50 cents
I used a $5/$55 coupon from Winn Dixie!!
I found out that the store I shopped at today still takes Target coupons!!! Woohoo!! The other Publix that I shop at doesn't :(

This is what I picked up on my unexpected trip to Walgreens today. While shopping at Publix I found a $5.00 catalina in my purse that was expiring tomorrow. I was hoping to get the milk, 2 eggs and 1 tropical mix for free but it only came to $4.97 and the cashier said I had to get one more item!!! I love the tropical mix and it was on display by the register so I grabbed that. I paid a total of .97 cents, saved $5.90 or 86 %. Note...eggs are only .99 cents at my Walgreens, that is a great price!

This is what I purchased at Winn Dixie this week. I was excited to find the coupon booklets!
1 flounder and 1 perch, bogo $6.99 = $3.50 each
1 baby spinach, sale $1.99 used $1.00 mq = .99 cents
1 romaine (thought it was on sale for $1.99 but rang up as $2.99, used $1.00 mq = $1.99
2 mr clean magic erasers, $3.49 bogo, used 2 $1.50 mq = .25 cents each (cheaper ones were not on sale at my store!)
4 KC masterpiece BBQ sauce, bogo $1.99, used 4 $1.00 mq = FREE
I paid a total of $10.67, saved $25.26 or 70%

I, also, stopped at CVS and picked up 2 whisk on sale for $4.99 each, used 2 $2.00 IP and $3.00 ecb for a total of $3.68, saved 80%

If you are wondering where all the fruit and veggies are I hardly ever buy them at the store! Here in Florida there are produce markets all over and they are so much cheaper than Publix or Winn Dixie. I do buy produce at Save a Lot sometimes. I also stock up on frozen vegetables when they are super cheap. This year I am even trying to grow my own tomatoes! I stock up on steak, chicken and pork when it is on sale, usually at Sams club or Winn Dixie ,and put it in the freezer.

Saved 80% at Publix 4/25

Today was a great trip for a Monday morning. I don't think I have ever shopped on Monday morning before, but since Easter was this week Publix changed their sale dates. I really didn't need to much this week. My freezer, pantry and cabinets are pretty full!
 2- NY bread sticks, sale 50% off, $1.44 each, used 2- .40mq = $1.04 each
2 Thomas Bagels, bogo $4.19, no coupon = $2.10 each
2 vita nova salmon, bogo $4.59, used $1/2 mq = $1.80 each
2 nature valley granola bars, sale $1.99 each, used .75/2 mq = $1.62 each
2 mission tortilla, sale $1.79 each, used 2- $1.00 IP = .79 cents each
2 Heinz ketchup, no sale $1.99 each, used 2- $2.00 IP = FREE + .02 cent money maker!
6 voskos yogurts, sale $1.00, used 4- $1.00 mq and 2- $1.00 IP = all 6 FREE!
2 playtex tampons, $4.29 bogo, used a free coupon that I got in the mail = both FREE!
2 pace salsa, bogo $2.59, used .60/2 mq = $1.00 each
4 pace picante, bogo $2.59, used 2- .60/2 mq = $1.00 each
1 B-12 vitamin, $3.99, used $3.00 PQ + $1.00mq = FREE + .01 cent money maker!
2 bic soleil razors, $5.49 bogo, used 2- $2.00 mq = .75 cents each
4 bic flex 4 razors, $5.49 bogo, used 4 - $3.00 mq = FREE + $1.02 money maker!

I spent a total of $22.54, saved $88.25 or 79.6%

my two CVS trips Saved 98%

This is my CVS shopping on Sunday 4/17. I paid a grand total of $1.23!!!! WOOHOO!!! I saved $91.45.
I actually had a negative total of almost $4.00 and had to throw in the edge shaving gel and tic tacs to get me to a positive balance. My subtotal was a negative $1.13 and I paid only $2.36 in tax = $1.23
I bought all of this in one transaction so I could use my $5/30..or was it $5/40 (can't remember) cvs email coupon. I scanned my card when I got to the store and got another $2.00 coupon that I used.
I had a lot of ecbs that I needed to use up, my stock pile is full so I am planning on lowering my month shopping budget and I won't be going to cvs to much. (yeah right! LOL)
Note... if you have the Nivea $3.00 mq coupons, use it at Walmart where you can get them for free!!! I didn't realize this until after I purchased mine at CVS....but I did have a few more coupons, so I ran to walmart and picked up 3 more for free!
I bought:
2 Hellmann's mayo, bogo $5.99, used 2- .75 mq (I think this would be cheaper at  Publix this week, but I wanted to use up some ecbs)
1 edge shaving gel, $3.29, they wouldn't let me use my coupon for some reason????, got back $2.30 ecb
3 men's Nivea, $3.88 sale, used  3 $3.00 mq = .88 cents each
3 women's Nivea  same as above..(these 6 nivea will be donated...NO comments on how much body wash do I need...AMY...LOL)
3 stove top stuffing, .88 sale, used .50 mq = ,38 cents each (these will be donated)
2 reach toothbrushes, $1.00 each sale, used  2 $1.00 mq = FREE (these will be donated)
4 reach floss, $1.00 sale, used 4 $1.00 mq = FREE
2 listerine, sale $1.00 each, used $2/2 IP = FREE
1 Aquafresh, sale $1.00, used $1.50/1 aquafresh CVS coupon machine coupon = .50 cent money maker!
1 tic tac, no sale or coupon, $1.57
2 green bag tags, .99 each, got back $1.98 ecb
I used the $5 and the $2 cvs coupons mentioned above, along with $13.71 in ecbs
I paid $1.23 OOP and got back $4.28 ecbs

Here is trip #2

This morning I went back to CVS to pick up some deals I missed.
Missing from photo was 1 gallon of 2% TG Lee Milk
I spent a total of .87 cents on this trip!!! I am loving CVS this week!!!! I saved $34.17.
Here is what I got:
1 gallon Milk, sale$3.19, used $1.00 IP = $2.19 got back $1.00 ecb (such an awesome price!!!)
1 GE light bulb, sale $2.99, used $1.00 mq = $1.99 and got back $2.00 ecbs!!!
2 reese eggs, 2/$1, no coupon
5 aquafresh kids toothbrushes, sale $1.00, used 5 $1.00 mq = FREE
4 aquafresh kids toothpaste, sale $1.00, used 4 $1.00 mq = FREE
scanned my card when I went to the store and received a $2.00 ecb. also used another $2.00 ecb
Grand total of .87 cents OOP

My two trips I spent a total of $2.10
Saved $125.62
98% savings!!!

Saved 68% at Publix 4/14

 I had every thing put away before I realized that I didn't take a picture of the things I bought ,so it will just be a list today.
I started out this trip by picking up a $50 American Express gift card. I used the $10 off coupon that is in the sales flyer and got it for $44.95 after the $4.95 activation fee. This is a money maker of $5.05!! I just love when they have a sale on these, I save so much money by purchases a bunch of them though out the week. I am on the Dave Ramsey envelope money system so I just take they money that is budgeted for my monthly groceries and turn it into a card! I did this transaction twice today, once using $50 of my grocery money and once for $50 of my personal spending money. All totaling a $10.10 money maker!!! Nothing better than walking into a store and having them give you ten bucks  right off the bat :) I will check some of my other budgeted money to see if I can buy more this week.

Here is what else I purchased:
14 - birds eye veggies (most of these were green beans for church dinner this week) on sale for 50% off, used 5- $1.00/3 mq (some how I ended up one bag short) = 12 @ .56 cents each and 2 @ .39 cents each because of the one bag missing mistake. I wouldn't have been able to get this great deal if it wasn't for the two very nice coupon girls that I see every week shopping. I asked them if they had any spare coupons and they gave me 4 of the coupons!!!!
1 small ham, sale $9.09
4 sweet potatoes, sale .49 lb = .99 cents
2 zucchini, sale .99 lb = .48 cents
4 yoplait yo plus yogurt, bogo $2.00, no coupon = $1.00 each
4 Pam spray, bogo $2.95, used 4 - $1.00 pq and 3- .35mq (one q short) = .21 cents each
2 Tutt. crushed tomatoes, bogo $1.87, used $1/2 blinkie = .43 each
2 Alexia frozen buttermilk biscuits, bogo $3.39, used 2 $1.00 IP = .70 each
4 dole canned  pineapple bogo $1.59, used 2 .50/2 = .55 each
3 kraft shredded cheese with philly, sale $1.67, used 3 $1.00 blinkies = .67 each
2 snickers eggs, .50 each, used $1/2 = FREE

I spent $29.31 not counting the gift cards, saved $62.24 or 68%
Not bad for getting the extras this week for my Easter dinner and the beans for the church dinner!!!

This weeks drug store shopping 4/10

Sunday after church I stopped at CVS and Walgreens.
 Here is the breakdown:
Walgreens -
2 carefree liners on sale for .99 each, used two .50 mq (did two transactions so I could get the $1.00 RR on each one)
 2 snickers eggs (missing in action, lol) on sale for .29 cents each, used $1/2 mq (instead of buying more candy I used the overage to go toward the price of the carefree!)
I spent a total of .74 cents on both transactions and saved $3.42 or 82% and came home with $2.00 register rewards.
I shopped a different Walgreens than normal today and met the best cashier! She said they never have issues with coupons at this store. She works the beauty counter every Sunday, so I guess this will be my new store:)

CVS-
4 biore-$7.50 each,  used 2 bogo mq, got back $5 ecb (limit was only one $5ecb when you buy 2/$15...lost out on this one)
2 dove body wash (these came with the sample dove mens wash attached), $6.00 each, used $1.00 mq, got back $4 ecb
1 russell stover egg  (missing from the photo), .74 cents, got back .74 ecb
1 bubbles, $1.99 got back $1.99 ecb

I used a $5/40 email coupon and $21.99 in ecbs
I spent a total of $3.11 oop and saved $49.86 or 94%  and ended up with $11.73 in ecbs for next trip

Saved 97% today

This morning I finally got around to sorting out my coupons. I had a huge pile of them sitting on my desk for about a month! I found some great coupons to use up, so off shopping I went.

First stop was to the Dollar General, today is delivery day. I wanted to get the dentastix BOGO $2.00. I used 2- $1.00 IP. Only paid .14 cents tax!

Second stop was CVS, yesterday I noticed the tea was on 25% clearance, so this morning I got all my $1.00 mq ready to use when the price went lower. I wasn't going to use them today but I noticed the red tea had a tag for 75% off. I checked the price of the others and sure enough they were all marked $1.04. I had actually went in today because I heard they had a bunch of food on clearance and I wanted to see what they had. So I ended up with 7 boxes of tea for only .28 cents!! I used 4 - $1.00 mq and a $3.00 Birthday email coupon from CVS  :) I got back $5.00 ecb for beauty purchases, not sure why tea is considered a beauty purchase??? and $1.00 for my green bag tag. A $6.00 Money Maker today!!!!

Third stop was to Publix. I got two oral B toothbrushes, 2/$3, used a $2/2mq and a $1.00 pq = free
4 boxes of one beyond cat food, $2.79 each, used 4- Free mq. I ended up paying $1.00 tax.

Today I spent a total of $1.42 and saved $49.79 or 97%

Publix & CVS shopping 4/7

This weeks shopping trip to Publix I spent $43.20 and saved $97.90. A savings of 69%.
Here is the breakdown of what I bought and the coupons used. Please see the coupon abbreviation page if your not familiar with my blog.
2 frosted mini wheats with fruit, bogo $3.99, used 2 $1.00 IP = $1.00 a box
2 post great grains cereal, bogo $3.99 used 2 $1.00 mq = $1.00 a box
2 almond accents, bogo $2.99, used 2 $1.00 IP, 2 - .55 mq that was attached (not all stores allow you to use both) = .11 money maker!!
1 bag salad (not on sale) $1.99, used $1.00 tear pad wyb 2 almond accents = .99 cents
2 four packs of tuna, bogo $3.15, no coupon = $1.58 each
8 muellers whole wheat pasta, bogo $1.17, used 4 $1/2 mq = .09 cents each
2 crest toothpaste (had bonus pack of crest with scope, single use glide floss and $10 in coupons) bogo $2.69, used 2 $1.00 mq = .35 cents each
2 craisins, bogo $1.99 no coupon = .99 cents each
2 nature valley granola bars value pack, bogo $5.99, used 2- .50 IP = $2.49 each
1 sun chip, $3.00, used $1.00 pq from yellow flyer = $2.00
1 pack grape tomatoes, sale $1.99
2 pepperidge farms cookies, bogo $3.49, used 2- .50 mq = $1.25 each (do these packages of cookies keep getting smaller and smaller, or is it just me?)
4 emerald whole cashews, bogo $5.79, used 2 $1.50/2 mq = $2.15 each
2 cascadian farms organic hashbrowns, 2/$4.00, used 2 - $1.00 PQ IP and 2- .75 MQ IP = .25 cents each
1 mardi gras napkin, sale $2.99, used .55 mq = $2.44
1 tribe hummus, no sale $2.79 used free mq from the tampa tribune mid week newspaper last week = free
2 arnolds bread, bogo $3.99 no coupon = $1.99 each
3 ore ida potatoes, $2.85, used b2g1 sweetbay manufacture coupon from their sweet inspirations booklet and a b2g1 PQ from the yellow flyer.
4- silk almond milk, $2.50, used 4- $2.00 IP = .50cents each

I stopped by CVS and picked up a 5in1 wii sports kit for only .97 cents, it was on clearance 90% off and I got some pet central rawhide munchie sticks for my dog for .71 cents and I had a $1.00 cvs coupon making it a money maker! I even got back $1.00 ecb for my green bag tag!!!

Big CVS trip 4/3

I had another big week at CVS. On this trip I spent $24.89 oop and saved $138.16 or 85%. I came home with $17.97 in ecbs for my next trip.  If you have read my shopping blog before you know how I hate to do more than one transaction, today I had to break down and do three!!!

My first transaction I bought the tide, bounty, 3 herbal essence shampoo and 3 hair spray.
I had a $4/20 from the coupon machine and $11.50 in ecbs. I used a .35 mq for tide, 3 bogo mq for the shampoo and stylers and $1/2 mq for shampoo.  I paid a total of $10.42 oop and saved $43.97.

Second transaction I bought 2 irish spring body wash, one deodorant with bonus body wash attached, 3 puffs, 1 milk ( ended up paying $2.19- awesome price!), 1 gold bond body wash, 1 glide floss, 1 crest rinse. I had a $4/20 from a cvs email and the $10 ecbs from the first transaction and $1.50 ecb for the 1/4. I used $1.00 IP for the milk, .25/3 mq on puffs, 2 $1.00mq Irish spring body wash, .50 mq Irish spring deodorant, .75 mq floss, $2.00 mq gold bond, $1.00 mouth rinse. As I am typing this up I realize that the cashier must have rang up my $2.00 coupon twice, not sure where the extra $2.00 off came from? I spent $8.29 and saved $33.94.

Third transaction I bought the complete eye solution, 2 john frieda shampoos, 2 oral b toothbrushes, 2 gum ez flossers. I used $9.00 ecb from 2nd transaction. Cashier told me I could have printed out another $4/20 from the email but I didn't know that, so I lost out on $4 and the gum ez printables were all gone by the time I got around to printing that out, so I lost another $1.50. Two lessons learned today!!! (going over my receipt I just noticed that I did use a $4/20 on this transaction and not on transaction #2). Coupons used were: 2 $2.00 mq oral b toothbrush, 2 $2.00 mq john frieda, $1.00 mq complete eye solution.
Total spent was $6.18 and saved $35.36.
I could have saved more money by breaking down that transaction that I didn't have the $4/20 coupon for and using some more ecbs but I am very happy how things turned out!

CVS 3/21 stock up on body wash!

CVS has some awesome deals this week!
 I spent $12.55, used $12.98 ecbs and got back $11.50 in ecbs. I saved $76.80 or 86%
4- Axe bodywash
2 - soft soap
1 skintimate shaving gel
4- clean and clear body wash
2 - colgate toothbrushes
2- colgate toothpaste
2- stove top stuffing
2- cereals
I used one cvs coupon for $1.00, 17 MQ for $28.51 and $12.98 ecbs from past trips to cvs
For coupon match up for CVS check out http://www.simplycvsshopping.com/ or http://www.iheartcvs.com/

Money Making trip to CVS 3/20 and big savings from last weeks shopping

Yesterday I went to CVS and got all of this for just .63 cents OOP(just paid tax) and got back $9.99 in ecb for the next trip!

The floss was on sale for $1 and I had a $1.00 mq. The allegra was $6.99, used $2 IP and got back $6.99 ecb making it a $2 money maker. The tampons were on sale for $7.99, used a FREE MQ that I got in the mail by playing a sweepstakes from a peelie I got on a box last fall and got $3.00 ecb, making it a $3.00 money maker. I used $4.99 ecbs that I had from a previous week. Overall this was a $5.00 money making trip!!!

Last week I saved 87% at CVS and 88% at Walgreens. Lots of free deodorant, body wash and lotion.
I haven't posted any of my Publix trips lately but I have been saving a ton of money there too! Last week I think I ended up with 4 $50 gas cards and rainchecks for 2 more!!! I averaged a savings of 83% on those trips :) This week I only went to Publix once. I spent $14.12 and saved $98.91 or 86%. I used lots of Winn Dixie coupons and MQ for cheap or free propel drinks, dog food, philly cooking cream, hot dogs, produce and lunch meat.

Save a Lot & Publix Shopping 2/25

This is my Save a Lot trip:

I spent $22.96 and used no coupons!

Almond milk $2.99

Apple juice $1.99

cantelope $1.49

celery $1.69

red grapes .99 lb ($2.19)

honeydew $1.99

lettuce $1.99

Mangoes .59 cents each

onions $1.99

Roma tomatoes $1.29 lb ($1.37)

Tostito chips $3.50

This is my Publix trip. I spent $19.80 and saved $62.88 or 76%

Here is what I got:

Sushi $7.99 (my saving would have jumped up to 84% if I didn't buy this for lunch! )

6 -Hartz dog treats, raincheck bogo $2.99, (only 3 shown, donated 3 boxes to my kennel/dog groomer) used 6 - $2.00 mq = FREE plus $3.00 money maker!
2- Uncle Sam cereal bogo $2.69, used 2 - $1.00 IP & .75/2 pq = .06 overage (for those of you that read my blog you know I never write down my coupons.  I can't find where I got the IP from, but I thought I had two of them. lol!)
2- Kellogg's crunchy nut cereal, bogo $3.99, used 2- $1.00 mq & 1 $1.00 TQ = .50each
Maalox $5.79, used $5.00 mq = .79 cents (not sure if this rang up at the right price, I thought it would be an overage!)
Folgers coffee, sale $3.00, used $1.00 mq wyb 2 kelloggs cereals = $2.00
whipping cream ,no sale = $1.99
provolone cheese, sale $2.00
maybelline eye shadow $2.99, used $2.00 pq and $1.00 mq = FREE
2 Pepperidge Farms bread, bogo $3.89, used .75mq = $1.57 each
Silk soy milk, sale $2.50 used $1.00 mq and .75 pq = .75 cents
Potatoes sale $2.99, used 2 - $1.50 off produce wyb  Pepperidge Farm bread mq = FREE
red pepper, sale $1.20
baby spinach no sale $2.49, watermelon sale $2.52, 3 packs of strawberries, sale $5.00 used the $10/$40 Sweetbay competitor coupon = FREE

Food, Food and some more food!

Wow, I am way behind in my blogs about my grocery shopping! It seems like all I have done is go grocery shopping! I have been to Publix, Winn Dixie, CVS and Save A Lot. It feels like I have gone a millions times since my last post! I will just show a few of the them.

Publix Italian sale 2/17

On this trip I spent $37.13 and saved $95.80 or 72%. 
I didn't have the $5/30 coupon that some people got in the paper and I was short  two coupons on the hunts and one for sominex, those coupons would have saved me  another $7.40!
For the coupon match ups I went to Iheartpublix.com and addictedtosaving.com
My store had tons of coupon booklets and coupon flyers so be on the look out for them!
I will just list the final prices for each item after the coupons:
Sargento shredded cheese .25 cents
Broccoli slaw kit $1.00 ...this looks really good. I have never had it. I might have to go back for more!
bagged salad mix $1.85
Egg beaters .92 cents
Honest tea .50 cents
Green giant frozen veggies .50 cents
Green giant canned veggies .37 cents
Italian bread .79 cents
5 grain bread .39 cents
Buittoni fettuccine .10 cents
Sorrento Ricotta $2.00
Sorrento Mozzarella $1.50
sominex (for donation)(lost a coupon) .13 money maker
Kotex U (thank God this sale ends today! LOL) .79 cents
Dove deodorant, free
Relish .47 cents
Chicken broth $1.05
Progresso beans .42 cents, when you subtract the $5/20 PQ I ended up paying .17 cents
Hunts tomato sauce and diced tomatoes (.37 cents as part of the $5/20)

I think I will go back later in the week and get more beans as I only bought a few. What was I thinking???? When I was checking out, the cashier told me about free razors! I will have to see if I have any of those coupons. Today I had my two favorites cashiering and bagging for me. I love when that happens :) She told me that one girl came in today and saved over $200!! woo hoo
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Save A Lot store:
On 2/16 I stopped in to check out a new Save A Lot store that is right by my Publix. I spent $31.21, which I think is an awesome price for all of this produce! I made one mistake, the green peppers were $1.59 each and not a pound! EEK! I over paid a few dollars for those :(

bag of apples, bag of oranges, bananas, carrots, ginger root, grapes,cilantro, 2 mangoes, 3 peppers, honeydew, 4 tomatoes, onion, 2 strawberries, gallon of milk (not pictured), saltines, 2 veinna sausage, 2 canned mushrooms, croutons, country sausage gravy

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On 2/14 I spent $4.50 at CVS and saved $30.63 or 87%

I didn't realize that the colgate had a limit of two until I got home and looked at my receipt, so I went back and got another one the next day. Notice the bonus pack with a free toothbrush! Free toothbrush, toothpaste and floss! My dentist will love me! The cereal was bogo and the dial was on clearance 50% off.
For CVS coupon match ups I use Simply CVS.....www.simplycvsshopping.com
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My Winn Dixie trip 2/05 and 2/07
I didn't take a picture for these two shopping trips. I stocked up on steak! I bought a lot of steak, t-bones and rib eyes. This was the week that their flyer had a $5/$30 coupon. I got $129 worth of steak for $55.77! This didn't even put me over on my food budget because I was able to take the money from my hubbys butchering money since he hasn't gotten any wild hogs this year! I picked up a few other things but I won't go into detail since the sale is over.

Publix shop and show 2/3

Since the new year I have been trying to eat a little healthier by not buying so many snacks and pre packaged food. I have been doing pretty good, still lots of room for improvement. Today was so hard not to buy the knorr sides, bogo, they are my favorite! I had to walk right on by them with blinders on :)
I had the $5/30 Winn Dixie coupon again today, so I splurged and bought some shrimp! Its going to taste so good with the free little red potatoes from last weeks sale and corn on the cob in a cajun shrimp boil!

Today I Spent $31.71 and Saved $61.38 or 66%
Here is the break down:
No coupons for the following:
fruit salad, sale $4.63
Milk, $3.35
Mission chips, sale $2.50
Cocktail sauce, bogo $1.99 = .99 each
Shrimp, sale $4.99 lb = $8.49
Thyme .69 cents
Grape tomatoes, sale $2.00
2- Avacados, sale $2.00
~~~~~~~~
2- milk bones, sale 2/$5, used $1.50/2 mq = $1.75 each
1- Milk bone chewy, $2.99, used free peelie wyb 2 milk bones = FREE
(after these and last weeks beggin strips my dog treats are now stockpiled!)
2 - Breakstone sour cream, $1.50 bogo, used 2 .55/1 mq= .20 cents each
2- Kraft shredded cheddar, sale 2/ $4, used $1.00/2 mq = $1.50 each
1- Baileys creamer, sale $1.50, used $1.00 blinkie = .50
2- Mt. Olive jalapeno cups, $2.47 bogo, used 2 - .50 mq = .74 each
2- vivarin tablets, $3.19 each, used $5.00/2 PQ and 2 - $1.50 mq = $1.62 Money Maker (these will be given away)
2- Dove deodorant, $2.99, used 2- $2.00 mq and 2- $1.00 PQ = FREE (these will be donated)
2- Midol, sale $4.99, used $5.00/2 PQ and 2- $2.00 IP = .49 cents each
3- Muir Glen tomato sauce, .89 each, used 3- .75 IP = .14 cents each
4- Rotel diced tomatoes, $1.39 bogo, used .75/3 pq and 2 - .25 mq = .38 cents each ( I could have used 2 more .25 mq but I didn't have them!)

Publix run 2/1 Saved 80%

I went shopping on Thursday but my store didn't have any of the beggin strips and I didn't know about the potato and soda deal so I had to make another trip. Here is what I purchased.

I love FREEBIES! Today I got the 4 Sun Drop sodas free, they are on sale bogo and in the yellow flyer there is a bogo coupon, used 2 coupons = all FREE (hubby will take these to work since I don't drink soda)
2- bags of red potatoes $3.99 bogo, used 2 $2.00 IP = FREE
1- yoplait yogurt, .75 cents, used FREE coupon I got in the mail
4- Busy chewnola dog treats, $3.00 each, used 4 FREE mq wyb/1 beggin strip
4- beggin strips, $5.29 bogo, used 4 $1.00 mq and 2 $1.00 PQ on any Purina treat ( I could have tried and used 8 $1.00 publix coupons but I didn't want the hassle since the other 6 items were free, they would have been an overage and I wasn't sure how many times we are allowed to print out the pdf publix pet coupon.) = $1.15 each
2 - 8 o'clock coffee, bogo $5.89, used $2.00/2 IP (thanks Amy!) = $1.95 each
2- Veggie lovers bag salad, bogo $3.69, no coupon = $1.85 each
I Spent $14.61, Saved $57.31 or 80 %
I also found the Gasparilla coupon booklet by customer service in a stand alone stand.

CVS 1/30

Sunday at CVS I Spent $4.73 Saved $41.57 or 90% and got back $10 ecbs.
Here is what I got:

Once again this week I really didn't need anything but I had 2 $2.00 listerine coupons that were about to expire along with a $10 ecb that needed to be used this week.
1- reach floss, sale .99 cent, used $1.00 IP that the cashier adjusted to .99 cents. ( I would have got a few more but that was the last one) = FREE
2 - 1 L. Listerine Zero, used rain check for $5.00 each and get $5.00 ecb when you buy $10. (these are on sale this week for $4.?? but I used the rain check instead so I could get ecb back), used 2 $2.00 IP = (.50 cents each if you count the $5 back) $3.00 each. As you can see in the picture they both have a coupon attached to use for next time!! I am now stocked up on mouthwash!
Unilever deal: spend $15 get $5 ecb
2- Mayo, 2/$6, used 2 .25 cent mq = $2.75
3- Ragu, 3/$5, used .60/2 mq = $1.36
3- Skippy, 3/$5, used 3 .60 mq = $1.06
All three of these coupons came out of this Sundays newspaper. The skippy coupon might be different in your region. My convenient store sells Sunday papers for only .50 cents so I always pick up a few extra when there are great coupons like these that I know I will use!
I used the $5/25 CVS email coupon and $10 ecbs from a few weeks ago. Total OOP was only $4.73 and I got back $10 ecbs for next time!!!! The lady behind me in line was so impressed :) She commented on how she was buying a bunch of stuff from the .99 cent clearance cart and that I would probably be able to get it all for free!!!  (there were two carts full of mark downs but I wasn't interested in any of it)

Publix trips 1/25 & 1/27

Trip #1

On 1/25 I needed to buy some tortilla shells, zucchini and fruit so I ran to Publix figuring I could also buy the Kotex and Scot paper products to get the mail in rebate for a $10 Publix gift card. I picked out all the poise and kotex I wanted and headed to the paper isle for the Scot towels to find that it was wiped out! I didn't want to put all my kotex back so I just bought it anyway, it came to $29 before coupons and I needed $35 for the gift card...UGH! ( Did you read my last post on "how much feminine products does a girl need",  just click on my home page over on the right and then scroll down )

I ended up spending $11.73, Saved $55.05 or 82%

I didn't write down my coupons but I do know that the kotex and poise was a $2.99 money maker after all my Publix and manufacturer coupons!
The vitamins and soy sauce were also money makers so basically I paid for the tortillas, fruit, veggies and eggs and everything else was free!!!
Here is the break down that I remember:
4 poise liners, $3.19 ea, used PQ & MQ = $3.24 MM
5 kotex, $2.95 ea, used PQ & MQ = .05 each
eggs, $2.19, used .50 cent IP when you buy soy sauce = $1.69
2 whole fruit sorbet, bogo $2.89, used 2 .50 mq = .95 each
2 vitamins, $3.29 each, used 2 $1.00 mq & $6/2 PQ = $1.42 MM
mission fajita shells, sale $1.99
fruit salad, $4.76
zucchini, $1.98
2 soy sauce, $1.39 each, used bogo IP (cashier took the full $3.00 off instead of $1.39, I didn't notice until just now!) also used $1.00/1 IP = $1.22 MM
3 stewed tomatoes, bogo $1.29, used mq? = .50 cents ea
3 diced tomatoes, bogo $1.29

Trip #2 on Thursday 1/27

I spent $24.49, Saved $34.01 or 58% (not bad considering what I bought)
I didn't need to purchase to many items in this weeks sale. What I did get were some of our favorites that we don't usually buy unless its on sale.
Here is what I got:
4- Post Honey Bunches of Oats, Bogo $3.99, used 2 $1/2 mq = $1.50 each
2- 8 O'clock coffee, Bogo $5.89, used 2 $1.00 IP = $1.95 each
2- Emerald whole cashews, Bogo $5.79, used 2 $1.00 mq = $1.90 each
2- Frenchs mustard, Bogo $1.77, used 2 .30 cent mq = .59 each
1 grape tomato, sale $2.00
1 cantaloupe, sale $2.50
1 Shoreline Combo Sushi, $9.49
I treated myself to lunch by buying the Sushi since I had the $5/30 Winn Dixie coupon. It was like getting the sushi for $4.49! The store was out of the Beggin Strips for my dog so I got a rain check.
For the month I Spent $230, Saved $655. I was trying to only spend $200 but I did set aside $250 in my food budget, so I guess I still came out ahead from last years average of $319 a month. I stocked up on many items so I think I had a great month!

How much feminine products does one girl need?

My husband has been telling the guys at work about my blog and how much I have been saving using coupons.
After reading my blog and looking at the pictures, one guy commented about all the feminine products that I have been buying. He didn't even see the nine packs that I bought this morning at Publix for a total of .25 cents!!
 Some couponers stock pile toilet paper, I stockpile pads, tampons, liners! LOL. In the year that I have been couponing I have only come across cheap deals on these products a few times, so this month when all of the great coupons came out I knew I would use them. This month I have purchased a total of 21 boxes or packs.....but I have only paid about $2.77, give or take some tax on all of them!!! That is less than one pack at the retail price of $3.19. Some of them were money makers, some were .17 cents, some .75, some I even paid $1.00. I bought them at CVS, Walgreens and Publix. I used store coupons, manufacturer coupons and CVS extra care bucks.  Some will be donated, some given away to family, but mostly they are mine , and now I am stocked up until I reach menopause! LOL
What do you stock pile?

.15 cent CVS trip 1/22 Saved 99.7 %

Today I only spent .15 cent out of pocket at CVS. Here is the breakdown:

1 Domino sugar, used rain check for $2.99 and a .40 cent mq = $2.59

2 Listerine zero, sale $3.99, used $3.00/2 cvs coupon from scanner and 2 $2.00 IP = .49 cents ea

1 Sobe, sale $1.00, used free coupon that came in the mail yesterday = Free

1 gallon TG Lee milk, sale $3.19, used $1.00 IP = $2.19

1 cvs itch relief pen, clearance for .75 cents

12 candy bars, .89 each, b2g1 sale, used 4 bogo mq = $3.56 (bought 4, got 8 free)

 used $11.00 ECBs

OOP .15 cents

Got back $2.00 ecb from Listerine for next time.

I just love trips like this!!!!

Publix trip 1/20

This mornings shopping was nice and easy! The store was packed with workers taking inventory so I just got what I needed and got out! The best part was I got the customer service girl as a cashier, I love when that happens. No missed coupons or questions asked and she was very fast :)
Here is what I got for $27.83. I saved $53.41 or 67%...dog food always brings this number down but I needed it.

1 Dog Chow, sale $9.99, used $1.50 mq = $8.49
2 Arnolds Bread, bogo $3.99, no coupon = $1.99 ea
2 Stay free ultra plus pads, sale $4.49, used bogo mq, $1.00 mq and 2 $1.00 pq = .75 ea
2 Stay free (smaller pack) $3.35, used bogo mq, $1.00 mq and 2 $1.00 pq = .17 ea
(The stayfree will go into the donation box. I have decided to try and pick something up every week to donate, these 4 only cost me $1.84)
6 Yo Plus yogurts (woohoo, finally my kind of yogurt on sale!!!!) bogo $2.00, used 6 .50 cent mq = .50cents ea.
2 veggie lovers bag salad, bogo $3.69, used 2 .50 cents IP = $1.35 each
1 Oscar Mayer low sodium bacon, sale $3.50, used $1.00 TQ = $2.50
4 Jala frozen yogurt bars, raincheck bogo $3.99, used 4 $1.00 IP = $1.00 each. ( I couldn't wait to try one, the blueberry was delicious!)
2 Sundown vitamins, one was $2.99, one was $3.99, used $6/2 pq and 2 $1.00 mq = $1.02 money maker!

I still have $6.00 in my monthly budget for next week. Not sure if I can keep it under $200 for the month or not. The good thing is that I have $30 in ECBs to use at CVS, so if I really need something I can go there to get it! I have tried 2 different stores this week for the maxwell house coffee but they are out and delivery isn't until friday night. Since my husband is out of town for a few days I might just be able to make it since I won't be cooking as much!

Publix Trip #2 1/15 Saved 96%

After reading every ones Friday Totals over at I Heart Publix I realized I missed a bunch of great deals, so back to Publix I went this morning. I got lucky, my husband had to go to Lowes which is right next door so he just dropped me off. Before we went there we had to drop off our recyclables. I got lucky, in the newspaper bin there was a bunch of coupons right on top! I got a $5 Maalox coupon and a bogo stayfree coupon out of it!!! Saved me $8.35 today and I didn't even have to dumpster dive!!! LOL

This morning I saved $60.85 or 96%. I spent $2.39. I could have got everything for free and had some overage for something else but I was missing the 2 MQ for the Kleenex which would have taken another $1.00 off and I chose the Maalox and vitamins that I needed instead of just getting the cheapest.
Here is the break down:
4 Vitamins, between $2.99 & $4.29, used 2 PQ $6/2 from green flyer and 4 $1/1 mq = .74 cent money maker. I was running low on vitamins so I am thrilled at this deal:)
2 Stayfree $3.35, used bogo mq, $1 mq and 2 $1 PQ = .17 cents each
3 Maalox, liquid was $4.99, tablets were $4.49, used 3 $5.00 MQ = $1.03 money maker
4 Lysol , bogo $3.59, used 2 $1.50 mq = .30 cents each
6 Kleenex, sale $1.25, used 3 $2/2 PQ = .25 cents each
The cashier missed one of my $5.00 Maalox coupons, I am glad I was paying attention! This is twice in a row that the cashiers have made mistake. Be sure to check the screen as they scan or at least check your receipt before you leave!
Still no Jala yogurt bars :(
I just LOVE Publix!!!

Publix and Winn Dixie shop 1/14

I was going to try and not shop this week but that didn't work out! I didn't even make it until the weekend! To many good deals to pass up.
Here is my Publix trip

I paid $12.83 OOP and saved $40.36 for a savings of 76%

4 Special K - Bogo rain check from last week, used 2 bogo IP and a $1.00 TQ = $1.00 Money Maker
2 Kikkoman soy sauce, no sale $1.19 each, used bogo IP and $1/1 IP = .19 cents  for both
Yo plus yogurt, no sale $2.00, used .50cent mq = $1.50
3 apples, sale $1.00 lb = $1.63
2 Sundown vitamins $3.99 & $4.69 , used $6/2 from green flyer and $3/2 IP = .32 cent MM ( first time in a long time that I got free vitamins, I might have to go back for some vitamin D when they get it in stock)
2 Glad trash bags, sale $5.49 ea, used 2- $3.00 IP and 2 - $1.00 TQ = $1.49 each ( great price!)
2 Pepperidge farm bread, bogo $3.89, no coupon  = $1.95 each
2 ocean spray trail mix, bogo $1.99, no coupon = $1.00 each
1 Pedigree dentastix, sale $3, used $2 mq = $1.00

Today I had a brand new cashier and he had to call the manager for help on the coupons. He was telling me that I couldn't use a competitor coupon with a manufacturer coupon. I knew that wasn't right. The other problem that I had and didn't notice until I was walking out to my car was that he rang up my rain check cereal at half price so when he took off my bogo coupons it was only half price. I had to go back in and have customer service correct this, it was a $4 mistake! They understood and told me he was brand new, Thank God for great customer service at Publix!!!!
Here is my Winn Dixie Stop

Last week my husband ran in to Winn Dixie to pick up a head of lettuce ,on his receipt was a free WD Q for a pack of scott natural wipes, so I used that coupon today. Scott wipes $2.29, free coupon = free
WD kidney beans, sale .60 cents each (could anyone tell me if Publix ever has beans on sale, I never noticed)
Kens blue cheese, bogo $3.39, used $1/2 mq = $1.19 each ( thought the coupon was for $1/1 and I had 2 of them. Only got to use the one)
Taco seasoning, no sale .99 cents each, used .60/2 IP = .69 each
cabbage $1.83 (terrible price but I needed it for some soup)
Mission corn tortillas, no sale $2.49, (noticed my $1.00 coupon had expired before I handed it over )
College Inn broth, bogo $2.89, used $1/2 = .95 cents each (I didn't have any of the coupons that matched this weeks broth sale at Publix)
This trip I spent $13.75 and saved $12.37, a saving of only 47% .

Today's Great drug store experience

I didn't like leaving my blog post on a negative note so today I decided to do some more shopping! LOL...it sounds like a great excuse to me :) I ran to a different CVS to pick up the two cottonelle wipes to complete my deal from the other day. The oop and $10 ecb back was included in the previous post. Then I went across the street to Walgreens. I have to tell you that the Dade City Walgreens is the best! If you use the cosmetic counter, the young cashier is so friendly and helpful!!! Today my bogo coupons weren't scanning right so she called the manager. This is the first time I have dealt with this women so I was holding me breath! It turns out she is awesome too! They worked all my coupons different ways until they wouldnt beep :) To be sure I was doing everything right I copied what another blogger did and which coupons to use first, last ect. Both the cashier and manager were glad to learn that if you use the walgreens coupon last, the other manufacture coupons won't beep. We even talked about the TLC extreme coupon show and how people come in and clear the shelves and then other customers come in and yell at the manager. We had a great friendly talk about coupons. I spent $5.40, saved $29.79 on this trip or 85%!!!
When I got home I was so thrilled that they were friendly that I called Walgreens corp. and told them how awesome these two are!!! I just wish I had gotten their names. (no I did not call CVS the other day)
So I am back feeling great about my coupon use and deals that I get. I did end up going over budget this week but I looked at the Publix ad coming out on Thursday and I don't need anything, so that will make up for it......but I always say that. We will just have to wait and see.
I also stopped at the produce stand and picked up a big bunch of bananas, basket of tomatoes and 4 sweet potatoes for $4.28. At Publix they were out of the Jala ice cream and special K so I got rain checks. I bought 2 yoplait smoothies, yoplait yo plus yogurt and a kashi go lean crisp cereal all for $4.44, saved $7.69 or 63%.

CVS 1/9 Horrible experience

Today I am not adding a picture of what I bought or even listing the items with coupons. I will tell you that I spent the most ever at CVS. I bought $232.68 for $47.67!!! I bought all the major deals and a bunch of B1G1 50% off in two trips. It seems like everything on sale this week was stuff that I use:) I did come home with $30 ecb which makes me feel better about spending the $47. You all know how I hate to do more than two transactions.  I know I missed at least 2 coupons that would have saved me another $3.40.

Instead of my normal post I want to tell you what happened to me and see what you think. Please leave a comment after you read this.
I got up early and went to my favorite CVS store, as usual. I like going early Sunday mornings. Well today they didn't have the signs up. Boy is it hard to find the right items with no signs! I asked an employee for help and she told me all the wrong info concerning the gas x and maalox deal. I bought the gas x prevention anyway, she told me it wasn't part of the deal! It wasn't until I got home and noticed at the bottom of my receipt that is was part of the deal and I needed to buy one more for the $10 ecb. I also realized that I forgot about half of the things that I wanted. For some reason I circled the items in the flyer but didn't add them to my list! UGH...well I knew I was going out later in the afternoon and would be going by another CVS store so I would just stop there to get the items that I needed. BIG MISTAKE! I will stick to my favorite store from now on! I brought my husband along to try and teach him how to coupon and that didn't go over to well. I told him to buy the gas x first to get the $10 ecb and then buy the rest of the items. The cashier, which happens to be the store manager asked why are we buying that! What??? Why would he be asking this??? He said that it's not even on sale. SO WHAT! I then tell him that I needed one more to get the $10 ecb because I didn't buy enough this morning at another store. He than asked my husband if I had a job!!! again WHAT???? My husband told him couponing was my job and I save the same as a part time job. I asked him if he was hiring. (I have actually thought about working there since I love their deals) The store manager then says "if you worked here you would really know how to coupon and only pay .25 cents for all of that!' Now keep in mind we have only rang up one item at this time! ....On to the next transaction....I made the big mistake of grabbing the smaller size Listerine to use for a rain check that I got last week and to top it off I didn't tell my husband to hand the rain check first. Well the manager just has a fit!!! Goes on and on about the wrong size and the rain check and how he will have to fill out a report if he subtracts anything from the register...on and on...I told him it was a very honest mistake and that I was sorry. I said that I was excited to get it because I went to 3 stores last week and didn't find any. He then says" well its because people like you take it all and they don't have it because they don't want us in the store!" WHAT!!!! I then tell him I will be very happy to never shop in his store again and at my favorite store they love me! He asked which store it was and then just goes off about how bad that store manager is and no wonder she has to go to his store and get stuff and they must take any coupons and on and on......At this point I am in total disbelieve that he is saying all this and another employee was too, she came up behind him and said to me " don't shop at that other store, we love having you here" I think this made the manager realize that he was way out of line and he changed his tune. I think she must have kicked him behind the counter, LOL. He went on to say that he was just joking and that it was so good he could kid around with customers and that I didnt take him so seriously.
OMG its been over 15 hours since this trip and I am still fuming!!!! Let me just say one more thing....I am not a shelf clearer. Its just me and my husband so I only buy a couple of any one item, I don't need a million of one item. For example, I could have bought 7 of the dishwashing tabs but I only bought 4 and then some of the other items in that deal and on the gas x I bought one maalox and a couple different gas x items, not all maalox even though that would have been the best deal. I try and do my very best with the coupon match ups but sometimes we all make mistakes. I am not out to commit coupon fraud, just to save where I can.
Ok so what would you do if this happened to you? My husband said use it to make yourself a better couponer. I have thought about calling corporate about the whole thing but that is not like me.

Publix 1/6

I am happy to report I was under budget last week. I only spent $44 on all my shopping!!!

ok so here is what I purchased at Publix for week 2

1 ziploc vacuum bag, sale 2.00 used $1.00 IP = $1.00

6 yoplait smoothies (cant wait to try these) bogo $3.19, used 2 - $1.25 IPs and 4- $1.00 MQ =  .52 cents each

eggs, no sale $2.55

hot dog buns, no sale $1.19

3 packs of boneless chicken breast, sale $1.99 lb = $9.59

4 special k cereals, bogo $3.99, used $1.00/2 target Q., 1 -$1/2 mq and 2 bogo IP = $2.00 Money Maker!!!

6 martha white corn bread .89cents each, used 2- b2g1 free PQ and 3- .55/2 mq = .32 each

Spent $17.31

Saved $50.36 or 74%

CVS 1/2/11 & Publix 1/3

I will start with the bottle of Olay. That came from the Dollar General store. It was on sale for $2.00 and I had a $2.00 mq. I only had to pay tax, .14 cents!
The rest of the items came from CVS.
5 Wisk, $5.00 each, used 5 $2.00 mq, got back $10 ecb, thats like paying only $1.00 each!!!
2 Maxwell house coffee, $2.50 each, used 2 $1.00 IP = $1.50 each
3 Extra gum, 3/$2, got back $1.00 ecb
I paid using $6.00 in ecbs and a $4/20 email coupon
Total OOP was $15.66
Got back $11.00 ecb for next week
Saved $43.20 or 73%

I also stopped at Publix this week. I didn't need much. Picked up 2 Al Fresco apple sausage, bogo for $5.49, used 2- $1.00 IP = $1.75 ea
4 Texas Toast croutons .99 cents each, used 4 - .50 mq = .49 each
For lunch I picked up two packs of Sushi, but that will come out of my lunch spending money and not grocery money. I got seaside combo for $5.99 and rainbow roll for $8.89.
To thank my hubby for detailing my car that morning I bought 2 Tbone steaks for $12.65. That came out of my personal spending money since it was a splurge item! Never go to the grocery store hungry! I spent an extra $27.53 on this trip!!!!
Overall I did great and stayed under my new lower budget amount :)

Publix trip 12/29 and yearly totals

I made my last trip to Publix for 2010 on 12/29. Here is what I purchased:
1 avacado, $1.69, used free IP coupon
2 healthy choice steamers, $3.39 ea, used 1 free mq (facebook) and 1 $1.00 mq
4 tgif snacks ( saving for superbowl), bogo $2.95, used 4 $2.00 mq from all the trimmings booklet = $2.10 money maker
1 yo plus yogurt $2.00, used .50 mq = $1.50
2 bag salad, bogo $3.69 = $1.85 ea
1 bag dried plums/prunes $3.79 (thought the price was $2.79) used $1 mq = $2.79
6 international delight creamers, $1.50 ea, used 5 $1.00 mq blinkies = .50 cents ea
1  lg pudding, not on sale $1.39
2 coast soap, bogo $2.15, used 2 $1.00 IP = .15 cents
2 gatorade recover $2.00, used 2 $1.00 mq blinkie and 2 $1.00 PQ from yellow flyer = free
6 clorox wipes, $2.00 ea, used 6 $2.00 pq from all the trimming booklet = free
2 arnold rolls (sub and wheat buns) bogo $3.19, used .75 mq = $1.22 ea.
I spent $15.64, saved $63.81 or 79%

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This year I just about cut my shopping cost in half and have so much more to show for my money. This is my first year couponing so I don't have a very accurate record from last year but I do know it was more than $6,000. I didn't start writing things down this year until May but I was on a $300 a month budget so I will figure the totals from that.
I spent $3,829
Saved $8,122 or 68%
This total includes everything that comes out of Publix, CVS, Walgreens, Winn Dixie. Groceries, toiletries, pet food, health and beauty items, etc.
That averages to  $319 a month. I am very pleased with this number even though it is just a little over budget. When I started to coupon I did not have any stock so I spent a little more than I normally would do build this up. I also went a little over board on the holiday meals and we had some family stay with us for an extended period of time throughout the year that added to the food totals. I was able to give away so many products to friends, family and neighbors. I even loaded the car up with extras and donated them to the local food pantry.

For 2011 my goal is to try and see if I can get our cost down to $200 a month or lower, now that my stock pile is full! In 2010 I had fun couponing and tried all sorts of products that I would not normally try because they were either free or very cheap. Now that I have tried just about every thing in the store (lol) I now know what we like and what we don't. I am going to try and eat a little healthier this year, not so many boxed or canned items!

How did you do this year???