Shopping @ Wal-Mart

Shopping at Wal-Mart can be pricey.  I needed the things above, but wish I could have gotten them at a better price or even with coupons.  Every time I go to Wal-Mart I feel that I don't get as much for my money as I do other places.  I'm disappointed that I couldn't find any of these foil pans at Publix when I had a coupon and they were on sale.  I checked about 5 stores with no luck.  I wanted a new dish pan because mine had been used to the max.  It was time to replace the shower curtain liner in the kid's bathroom and my husband just had to have new tweezers and a foot file.  We were supposed to hang out in the backyard so I bought the candle to keep the bugs off. 


Purchased
1 dish pan $1.97
1 foil pan $1.88
1 shower liner $5.96
1 cutter candle $5.00
1 tweezers $1.24
1 foot file $2.88

Used
1 Cutter coupon $1 off

Total w/tax $19.26

Potato Salad @ Publix

Ok my kids informed me that they like Publix potato salad better than mine.  Yes, my feelings were hurt but I got over it and went out to purchase Publix potato salad.  Thank goodness it was on sale.  I decided to get some more Suave lotion while I was there and gum for my husband.  He loves this gum, but it is expensive to me.  I also got the Hummus that I asked my kids to find the last time I was in Publix. 

Purchased
3 Potato Salad $2.99 BOGO
2 Suave Lotions $2.45ea
1 Sabra Hummus $3.99BOGO
1 Trident 60ct. gum $3.29

Used
1 BOGO Coupon for Suave
1 $1 off Sabra coupon

Total w/tax $11.99
Savings $9.91

Memorial Day Observance

  This is a day of remembrance.  We thank-you for all you've done to protect and serve. 

Summer Stock Up

I went to several stores today in my area to gather the foods I would need to prepare for our Memorial Day dinner as well as things my kids would need to eat during the summer.  I shopped at CVS, Wal-Mart, Kroger, Ingles, Publix, Family Dollar and Rite Aid.  I spent a boat load of money, but here's hoping I will not have to spend as much as the weeks go on.  I got Frozen Pizza, Hot Pockets, Milk, Deodorant, Lotion, Chips, Dips, Cheese, Waffles, Sodas, Paper Plates, Powerade, Chicken, Ribs, Bread, Cookies, Candy, and anything else I felt would keep my teenagers from yelling "mom we have nothing to eat."  As long as they are able to go in the kitchen and find something to eat I am good.  I plan on cooking dinner and maybe some breakfasts meals, but I want to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible.  I purchased about $500.00 worth of food, but spent less than $300.  I feel this will keep them busy until the next haul.

Papa John's Pizza 50% off

Preparing to BBQ for the holiday, but don't want to cook all weekend.  Well Papa John's has a deal for you with the code RACE1 you can get 50% off your pizza order.  I plan to order pizza for the crew, so I can relax this weekend.  The code does not work with special offers, it is good off the regular price which is a great deal.  A large cheese pizza with extra cheese is $12.25 so with 50% off it is $6.55w/tax.  I will pick it up to save the delivery charge.  Hurry this deal is only good today and tomorrow.  The 50% code ends Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Thank you for your order.

1 Large Original Crust Pizza with Extra Cheese $12.25

Discount -$6.13

• Sales Tax
  $0.43
• Total w/ Tax $6.55

Memorial Day Weekend

I salute those who have fought to keep our country safe.  I have had several family members and friends to serve in the armed forces and I salute them for their bravery and loyalty to our country.  As you celebrate this weekend take the time to thank a member of the armed services for their service and commitment.  If you have HBO take the time to watch Kevin Bacon in Taking Chance.  The movie is about a Marine Senior Officer Michael Strobl taking Chance Phelps home.  He was killed in the line of duty during war in 2004.   The movie is so touching, it reminds us of the sacrifice soldiers give to protect our country.

Taco Bell Off Limits

 

Before my daughter became so concerned about the meat Taco Bell uses I would eat their nachos all the time.  So lately after her discovery Taco Bell has been off the radar as a  place for us to eat.  Just a little background information my family loves to eat out, but if we have a bad experience with a restaurant we permanently don't support that establishment anymore.  OK long story short I had a taste for nachos and Taco Bell was the closest place I could find.  I ordered 1 nachos supreme without meat.  In place of the meat I asked if I could have extra cheese the cashier said no and told me the extra cheese would cost .54 cents, I declined.  Then I asked how much would jalapenos be to add to the nachos, once again I was told .54 cents.  How do you charge .54 cents for jalapenos on nachos why aren't they included?  I know the economy is bad and restaurants are charging for every condiment, but .54 cents seemed to be a little extreme for me.  Well here's to say it will be a while before I stop at Taco Bell again. It's safe to say that I will be contacting the company to voice my opinion of offering jalapenos with nachos. 

We all scream for Ice Cream

I sent my husband out on an ice cream run for Mayfield Ice cream and it seems that he enjoyed it all the way home.  He purchased 5 boxes of ice cream, but as you can see only 4 boxes made it home. 

Purchased

2 Mayfield Brown Cows 6 ct $2.19 ea
3 Mayfield Ice Cream Sandwiches 6 ct $2.19 ea

Used

5 Mayfield $1 off Novelties Ice Cream Coupons

Total w/tax $6.39
.21 cents a treat to keep the kids satisfied for the summer.

Brief trip to Publix

Wow Publix has there brand of yogurt on sale again.  The last time it was on sale I tried it for the first time and it was AWESOME.  I believe I was able to encourage my family to like it too since all of the cups I bought were all gone.  The yogurt is on sale for .25 cents and very good for the price.  Check out the other deals I was able to find on my brief trip to Publix.  I only went in for the bread, so I guess I did ok with my savings.  I will be returning again this weekend to purchase food for Memorial Day. 

Purchased

12 Publix Yogurt Cups .25 cents ea.
2 8 packs of Powerade $5.85 BOGO
2 Mayfield Novelties Ice Cream Sandwiches $2.19 ea
1 Mayfield Novelties Ice Cream Banana Bars $1.99
1 Loaf of Nature's Own Bread $2.89
Coupons Used

3 Mayfield Novelties $1 off Coupon
1 $2 off 2 Powerade 8 packs Kroger competitor coupon

Total w/ tax $13.14 

A great day with a Wonderful Daughter

Today was my daughter's seventeenth birthday and she had a blast.  She had dinner with a couple of friends at Benihana where she enjoyed a meal using a $30 Benihana birthday coupon that she got for signing up on-line.  You can go here to register for your birthday coupon. She also went to her favorite store Forever 21 and purchased a nice dress.  To end it all we sang Happy Birthday over a beautiful cake from Publix.  You got to love Publix cakes.  It was pricey for the size, but oh so worth it.  Here's looking forward to another great year with a wonderful daughter.  It was Fantastic!!

Shopping at Publix

Ok I had to make one last trip to Publix before the new sale starts.  I wanted to try the Sundrop soda and use the coupons I had.  I was able to get some more things to help take me and the family through the summer.  They have all been home for 1 whole day and they are already eating me out of house and home.  I took my husband along with me to the store since he has time in his schedule now to get out with me, but I don't know if that was the best thing to do.  He likes to eat what he wants to eat when he wants to eat it.  Of course, I have pork chop in the freezer but he wanted some for dinner tonight.  We weren't at our usual store, but a very nice cashier gave me a coupon that took five dollars off my total purchase.  I was so glad to be in her line she help me to make up the difference where my husband got carried away. 

Purchased
2 boxes of Froot Loops $1.99 ea
2 jars of Smuckers Jelly $2.69 ea No Coupons (husband purchase)
5 bottles of Sundrop $1.50 ea
3 bottles of Sunkist $1.50 ea
3 boxes of Aunt Jemima French Toast $2.70 BOGO
1 loaf of Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread $2.89
2 packs of Pork Chop $5.44 and $4.91
1 snickers bar (husband ate it before pic)

Used
5 $1 off Sundrop
3 BOGO Publix Coupon Sundrop/Sunkist
1 $1 off 2 Kellogg's Cereal Competitor Coupon
2 $1 off 2 Aunt Jemima French Toast
1 $5 Publix May Coupon (thanks to the cashier)

Total w/tax $24.76
Total Savings $29.78

Free for the summer

I am FREE to blog, shop, save, read, clean and do whatever I want to do for the next 2 1/2 months.  There are some privileges to being a teacher.  I enjoy the summer breaks to catch up on the things I don't get to do during the school year.  I love being a teacher, but the breaks are truly appreciated.  I am looking forward to a great summer with my children. 

Looking forward to Summer Break

Two more work days then summer truly begins for me.  I am looking forward to finding more deals that will sustain the summer budget.  Money gets tighter in the summer because the kids are home to eat more and they have more places they want to go.  I look forward to the summer to get out and see new places and visit our some of our old favorites.  I plan to work more on my blog to keep you updated on the daily deals that you must have.  I am also going to look for ways to expand my blog to reach more viewers.  I hope you will join me in making this one of the best blogs out there.  WooHoo summer is just around the bend.  I can't wait to get started. 

Deals at Dollar General

I actually like Dollar General and will be including the store in my non-coupon stops.  The store has reasonable prices that I like.  I was able to purchase 4 bottles of Kraft BBQ Sauce and 2 bottles of Country Time Lemonade using coupons. 

Purchased
4 Bottles of Kraft BBQ Sauce $1
2 Bottles of Country Time Lemonade $2.50

Used
2 $1 off 2 Kraft Products
2 $2 off Country Time Lemonade with Purchase of BBQ Sauce

Total w/ tax $3.36 OOP

Money Maker @ Rite Aid

I bought 4 sample bottles of Jergens Lotion @ Rite Aid.  They were on sale BOGO 1/2 off, so .79 cents for the first one and .39 cents for the second one times 2.  There is a two limit deal for this promotion.  I paid $2.53 OOP and received 2 $3 up rewards making this a $3.47 money maker.  I love money makers.

Great Deal on Lysol at CVS

Ok as a teacher I use a lot of Lysol wipes and spray.  This helps to keep germs down in the classroom and is safe to use around students.  I may use about 12 bottles of spray and about 15 small bottles of wipes.  So I was very excited to see that CVS had the large sizes on sale this week and an extra buck to make this deal even better for me. 

Purchased
2 80 count Lysol Wipes $5 each
2 Large cans of Lysol Spray $5 each

 Used
$4 off $20 CVS purchase
2 $1 extra care bucks

Total w/tax $15.05 Received $10 in Extra Care Bucks
So Actually $5.05 for 4 great teacher cleaning tools
Coupons were available but I didn't have them at time of purchase.  :(

Cereal at Rite Aid

My family loves cereal.  We eat cereal for breakfast, dinner and snack.  So anytime I can get cereal at a great price I go for it.  This will get us saved up and ready for the summer. 


Purchased
3 boxes of Frosted Flakes
3 boxes of Pops
2 boxes of Pop Tarts
1 box of Rice Krispies Treat

Used
2 $1 off 3 boxes of Kelloggs Cereal
2 .50 cents off Pop Tarts Coupon


Total $18.58 before tax and coupons
Used $4 Rite Aid Cash
Total after Coupons and Tax $11.58 in addition received $6 dollars for future visit
So Actually $5.58 for 9 Breakfast and Snack Items .62 cents per item

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!!
Make this day a great day for spending time with family.  Especially the ones for which we celebrate this day.  If your children are close give them hugs and kisses and know this is why we coupon.  To feed, save and make a better life for our children.

Shopping @ Publix

Sometimes I get angry at myself when I rush to make a purchase to try to beat the sale end date.  I really enjoy shopping at Publix, but I get so mad at myself when I don't save as much as possible.  It is important for me to save all I can because we truly don't have the extra money to give away.  I had a $1 off Nabisco coupon, but forgot to use it :(.  This happens to me often when I don't take the time to plan as I should. 

Purchased


2 bags of Lays Chips $4.29 BOGO
2 boxes Quaker Chewy Bars $2.99 BOGO
2 8oz cups of Breakstone Sour Cream $1.65 BOGO
2 packages of Nabisco cookies $6.49 BOGO
1 Hefty lasagna pan $1.99 BOGO
1 Gallon Mayfield Milk $5.29
1 French's Spicy Mustard $1.00
1 Lawry's Lemon Pepper seasoning $3.29
1 Publix Sub $7.49
1 jar of Newman's Corn Salsa $2.00

Used
1 $5 off $30 Competitor Coupon (The Fresh Market)
1 $1 off 2 bags of Lays Potato Chips
1 .75 cents of  2 Quaker Chewy Bars
1 $1 off Lawry's Seasoning Publix Gathering Booklet
1 $1 off Publix Hefty EZ Foil Pan
1 50 cents French's Brown Mustard Doubled

Total OOP w/tax $28.01
Total Savings $28.49

Free Westcott Scissors for Teachers

All teachers head over to Mailbox and score a free pair of Westcott Scissors.  You will also be entered to win a gift box of Westcott supplies for your whole class and an ipad when you upload or create a supply list.  I know for me scissors are hard to keep up with in a building full of teachers, so an extra pair will be perfect.  Share this offer with your colleagues and earn additional entries to win. Head over quickly here so you will not be cut out of the deal. 


  

Walgreen's

I found a great deal at Walgreen's for Zyrtec.  My family suffers from allergies during this time of year, so we use quite a bit.  We buy over the counter allergy medicine to try to curve the sneezing and itchy throats. 

Purchased
2 40 ct Zyrtec $19.99 BOGO 1/2 off

Used
2 Manufacture Coupons for $7.00

Total including tax $18.08 less than the cost of 1 bottle

Locked In

Wow, what a day I had.  My class and I were locked inside the classroom for at least 15 minutes.  My students began to cry after they realized we were not getting out soon.  Imagine being in a locked environment with 19 students who wanted their mommy and daddy.  I was terrified myself.  Finally, my coworkers and I were able to prior the door open.  We were glad to be out.  Well after a brief visit to the principal my door was repaired in less than an hour.  I never want that to happen again.  It was a brief nightmare. 

Sometimes you have to go Wholesale

I like to mix my shopping up a bit to keep the things I need in the house available.  I like to catch my weekly deals, but I also like to make my runs to the wholesale stores.  I am a member at BJ's and Sams because I may find a deal at one store but not the other.  BJs is my favorite of the two because they take coupons and they also issue coupons that you can stack for a great deal.  

Purchased:

2 Bottles of Tide $19.99

1 Bottle of Downy $12.99

1 Bottle of Woolite $13.99

1 package of Jergens Lotion $9.99

1 2pk Container of Jif Peanut Butter $9.99

1 2pk box of Berkley and Jensen Fabric Sheets $5.99

1 3 pr Pack of Nautica Underwear $6.00 

Used

2 Manu Tide Coupons $1 off   $2.00

1 BJs Tide Coupon $2.50 off

1 BJs Tide Coupon $2.00 off

1 BJs Downy Coupon $2.50 off

1 Manu Downy Coupon $1.00 off

1 Manu Woolite Coupon $3.00 off

1 BJs Jergens Coupon $3.00 off

1 Manu Jergens Coupon $2.00 off

1 BJs Jif Coupon $2.50 off

Total OOP w/tax $85.42