How Do I Coupon ?Save Money While Buying Healthy for You, Your Family, and the Planet!

So my goal for this month was to spend no more than $50 per week on all groceries for our household of three humans and three pets. This was to include everything for the household including pet supplies, cleaning supplies, and so on. I am very pleased to say that I succeeded! WOOHOO! My total OOP (out of pocket) was….$120.00!! If I count in gift cards I used then it would be an additional $75 making it for a total of $195.00.I am so very happy that I was able to do this for one month. We also ate out just once at Taco Bell (are we high rollers or what?!) this month. It has certainly not been easy but it was definitely doable. Using up what I have in my pantry and fridge and being creative was a huge part of making this work. I was also able to find cheaper pet supplies by shopping around. I honestly thought Walmart was my best bet but it turns out Family Dollar had cat litter that works just as well. It does not clump as well but does not track on the floor and does not make the litter box smell as much as the other WM brand did. Pros and cons to both but saving money helps push the FD one to win .

So my goal for February? Trying to switch back to organic milk and healthier beef for my family. I am a strict vegetarian and I do eat eggs. I only buy free range organic when I do and they are 3-4x the amount of regular priced eggs but I cannot budge on that for ethical reasons. However, I sacrificed buying regular milk and all white bread to save $$. I am trying to go back to purchasing healthier foods while saving money. I do not want to sacrifice my family’s health. I figure preventative health, by way of the types of food I purchase, will be cheaper in the long run. Organic milk and grass fed beef, for example, are pretty important given the junk (hormones, antibiotics) that is put into meat and dairy today. So that is my goal: buy healthier bread, organic milk, and natural meats while still staying under $50 a week. Wish me luck! I am gonna need it!

Last week was fairly lame in the good deals but this week seems to be rockin! Check out the deals below. You can also get KRAFT coupons that will coincide with these great deals!

Bumble Bee Tuna 5 oz. .48 each!

Hefty Bowls, Plates or Platters 16 to 60 ct., $1.69. Use Hefty Plates or Bowls any .50/1 Expires (1-31-10) RP-11/15. Final Price: .69 each!

I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter 1 lb Sticks, $1.50 ea. Use I Cant Believe Its Not Butter Sticks, any $1/1 (2-7-10) RP-11/15. Final Price: .50 each!

Malt-O-Meal Cereal Selected Varieties 11.3 to 15 oz., $1.88 ea. Click HERE to sign up and get printable coupons! Final Price: .88 each!

S and W Beans 15 to 15.5 oz., .48 each. Use S and W Beans, any variety cans .50/3 (1-31-10) RP-11/8. Final Price: .15 each!

UPDATED  01/29  Fry’s is having a Mix and Match Sale this week. Buy 10 participating items and save $5!! Combine this sale event with coupons and you can get some fantastic deals! You just need to make sure to buy 10 participating products to receive the $5 off. Here are some deals listed below:

Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, 12oz., $1.69. Go HERE  and sign up to print coupons. You should be able to print 2. FYI-I tried this website but my browser is not supported    :( Final Price: .19 each (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

French’s Yellow Mustard, 14oz or Honey Mustard, 12oz., $1.69. Go HERE  and sign up to print coupons. You should be able to print 2. FYI-I tried this website but my browser is not supported. OR Use French’s Classic Yellow Mustard .50/1 (3-31-10) SS-1/24 OR Use French’s Spicy Brown, Honey Mustard or Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce .50/1 (3-31-10) SS-1/24   Final Price: .19 each (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

 Hormel Chili with Beans, 15oz. ,  $1.29. Use Hormel Chili with Beans, 15oz. Final Price: .29 each(after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

 Hunt’s Tomatoes, 10-14.5oz., .99 Final Price: .49 each(after Buy 10 Promo)!!

I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter, 8-16oz., $1.49 each. Use I Cant Believe Its Not Butter product, any .75/2 (2-7-10) RP-11/15 and I Cant Believe Its Not Butter Sticks, any $1/1 (2-7-10) RP-11/15. Final Price: FREE – .49 each (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!.

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Shapes, 5.5oz., .99 each. Use Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, 7.25 oz. or smaller excluding Kraft Organic Macaroni and Cheese, Buy 3 boxes Get 1 FREE up to $1.49 (1-31-10) SS-12/13. Final Price: .37 each(after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

Kraft Shredded or Bar Cheese, 5.8-8oz, or 10.7-12oz Singles, $1.49 each, Use Kraft or Cracker Barrel Natural Cheese, shreds or chunks, any two packages $1/2 (active) Group A-01/22 *Print it twice* AND Use Save $1.00/2 packages of Kraft or Cracker Barrel Natural Cheese (bar or shredded) (2/28/10) ss 1/24. FINAL PRICE: .99 each(after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 8oz., $1.49 each. Go HERE and print out coupons for cream cheese. Final Price: $1.00 each!

Sargento Shredded or Deli Slices, 5-8oz., $1.99 each. There is a coupon in the Nov issue of All You for Sargento Natural Deli Style Sliced Cheese, 5oz or larger .55/1 (exp?). Final Price: .49 each(after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

Solo Tableware. $1.99 each. Use Solo Cup, Plate or Bowl, any .75/1 (3-31-10) SS-1/24 and  Solo Cups, Plates or Bowls $1/1 (2-28-10) SS-12/6. Final Price: .49 each(after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

Go HERE for Kraft coupons for Capri Sun $1.49 each (WYB10). After the $1/2 coupon they will be $1.00 each!

Kleenex $1.49 each. Use :Kleenex Facial Tissue .50/3 or one Bundle pack (1-31-10) SS-12/6  OR Kleenex Facial Tissue, 10pk, 110-ct, Target Only, $1.00/1 (2-5-10) DirectTVSS-1/3 OR Kleenex Facial Tissue, any 3 packages or 1 bundle pack .50/1 (2-28-10) DirectTVSS-1/3 . Final Price: $1.97/3 (.65 each) (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, $1.99. Use Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, any boxes $1/2 (2-13-10) RP-1/3. Final Price: $1.98/2 (.99 each) (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!!

Nabisco Snack Crackers $2.88 each. Use Nabisco Crackers, any 5 oz.-16 oz. $1/2 (1-31-10) SS-12/13 OR Nabisco Crackers, any 6o z.-16.5 oz. $1/1 (3-31-10) SS-1/24. Final Price: $.88 –  $1.38 (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!! 

Fiber One Bars, $2.49 each. Use Fiber One Bars, any flavor/variety .50/1 (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3. Final Price: $.99 (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!! 

Krusteaz Muffin or Cookie Mix, $1.99 ea. Use Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix $1/1 (2-28-10) SS-12/6. Final Price: $.49 for the cookie mix (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!! 

Electrasol Detergent, $3.49 ea. Use (**If this variety is included) Finish Quantum, Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs $2.50/1 (1-31-10) DirectTVSS-1/3. Final Price: $.49 (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!! 

Sobe Lifewater is .99 ea. Click HERE to get B1G1 Free Sobe Lifewater making these .24 – FREE! Make sure to use the back button on your broswer so you can print twice!

**I think** Velveeta Mac & Cheese is on sale for .99 each. Go HERE (again!) and print off 2 of the Velveeta Mac and Cheese coupons. It should make it .98/2!! 

Quilted Northern 12 double roll, $5.99 ea. Use Quilted Northern Soft and Strong or Ultra Plush Bath Tissue 6-Double Roll or Larger $1/1 (3-7-10) RP-1/24. Final Price: $4.49 ea (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!! 

Brawny 6-8 roll, $5.49. Use Brawny Paper Towels 6-Big Roll or Larger $1/1 (3-7-10) RP-1/24. Final Price: $4.49 ea (after Buy 10 Promo and coupons)!! 

Not part of the buy 10 promo but still good deals are:

Wholly Guacamole, 7oz. First 4. $1.00 each. Use Wholly Guac or Wholly Salsa Product $1/1 (2-28-10) SearsSS-1/3. Final price: FREE!!

Blueberries, 6 oz., First 4. $1.00 each!

80% Lean Ground Beef, Sold in 3 lb chub. Limit 4. $1.33 lb!

Beef Chuck Roast, Boneless. B1G1F!

 If you are going to go to Safewway this week, I would recommend going this Saturday or Sunday so not only can you get some free items with coupons, but you can take advantage of their items on sale for the weekend only:

Potatoes Russett 5lb Bag
Saturday and Sunday Only. Limit 1. .68 each!!

Gatorade 32 oz
Saturday and Sunday Only! .69 each! Use (This might just be in thePhx paper insert) Gatorade G2 Thirst Quencher, any size $1/2 (4-10-10) RP-1/10. Final Price: .19 each!

Mangos .33 each!

McCormick Taco Seasoning Mixes 1 to 1.5 oz. .50 each. Use McCormick Seasoning Mix, any .25/2 (2-28-10) RP-1/24. Final Price: 2/FREE!!

Progresso Vegetable Classics Soup 18.5 to 19 oz. .99 each. Use Progresso Soup any .50/2 Expires (1-30-10) SS-12/6 AND (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3 AND (3-13-10) SS-1/17. Final Price; .49 each!

Click HERE for a link to an online printable coupon for Sunbelt Granola Bars. I have seen these sold at Walmart and Fry’s for around $2.00 a box. So, with the coupon, you could get 2 boxes for granola bars for around $1.00 each!! You can also register with Sunbeltfreekicks.com and earn money for your sports club! Lemme know if you find these where you shop and how much they are

Happy Shopping!

Every penny counts, right? I thought I would post a small list of easy ways you can save a little at the grocery store. A little bit here and there does add up to a lot!

 Just some quick tips and hints on how to save  some pennies at the grocery store:

BYOB -Bring your own bags. Most grocery stores offer .5  cents off per reusable bag you bring in. Don’t have any cloth bags? Bring in plastic ones, old purses, and diaper bags. I even use a gift bag that was given to my son for his birthday. It is made of some type of sturdy material and holds quite a bit!

Check the day old section.Normally the day old section is found near the dairy items in the store. Items can include bread, pies, cookies, and cakes. I have seen the area in Fry’s and Walmart and peruse the items often. I typically find at Walmart french bread or a baguette for .59 cents or less! Fry’s often has bakery goods discounted at 50% off. Also, at Fry’s they typically have a discounted refrigerated section with cookie dough, cheese, and yogurt. Combine the discounts with coupons and you can get a really great deal! Just be sure to use or freeze before the expiration date. I know Bashas’ does not offer discounted bakery items because they donate it to the local food bank. Love them!

Use your Grocery Card! This is by far the simplest way to save some $ at the grocery store. You can sign up online and register your card. You can load up e-coupons on the grocery store website along with Shortcuts and Cellfire. By signing up the stores use your shopping info to track trends and whatnot. Typically, you will get paper coupons in the mail as well along with special notices of sales, etc. Also, many grocery stores offer fuel discounts at their gas stations. I save .10 cents a gallon every time I fill up. That adds up for sure!

Here are links to stores that have grocery cards:

Safeway.com

Frys.com

Bashas’.com

Happy Shopping!

Well, you’re in luck. Click HERE to sign up for and receive coupons for Chef’s Requested Ready to Cook Beef including fillet Mignon. As soon as you sign up you can print out coupons. One is worth $3.00 so should be a great deal at Walmart or your local grocery store! Just don’t be like me and forget that your printer is out of ink and try printing. Now I am out of ink and out of an awesome $3 coupon….grrrrr. You can also request coupons to be sent to you via snail mail on the same page

I don’t know about you but I love pretty much anything that I do not have to pay for! Even if it is something that I will not personally use I keep them to give to friends and family or I can donate them as well. So, here is a list that I have for current free samples. Keep in mind that most of these links require you to register with your email address as well. You will more than likely receive emails and possibly snail mail from them. I figure it is a decent trade off since they are letting me try their products for free Be mindful of what you do sign up for and what information you choose to give or not!

Here is the list of ones that are currently active that I have found:

Walmart.com Free Samples (Several samples here to sign up for!)

Olay

Silver Jewelry Club  (pay shipping)

Cream of Wheat

Loreal EverPure Sample

Golden Tea

ConAgra Coupon Booklet

Tropical Breeze Cologne Sample

Sun Crystals

Prilosec

Dunkin Donuts Free Coffee Sample

Carefree Liners

Poise Sample Kit

Spark Energy Drink

Purex 3-In-1 Laundry Sheets

Taster’s Choice Free Sample

10 Caplets NatureMade TripleFlex (Click on the Get Sample button)

AlwaysTampax Sample Kit

Barbara’s Bakery Oganic Cereals Sample

Free UniBall Pen (first 10,00 per day)

I

Well, this week has been interesting budget-wise. Earlier this week the coffee decanter decided to break. So that took an immediate $16+ out of my $50 budget for the week. Because I would be a raging B without my morning coffee. Seriously, take away my coffee and see how pissy I get! I was able to use a gift card for Walmart to pay for some of my groceries.  If I do not factor the $13.03 spent on the gift card, I would be .17 cents under budget. If I do factor  the gift card money spent, I went $12.86 OVER. Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh. I am disappointed but will try to do better next week and make up for the difference.::sigh:: I am glad and grateful I had the gift card to depend on but I am bummed that I still could not make it under the $50 goal. I will set my budget for next week at $37.14. Wish me luck!

I am still doing a menu plan for lunches and dinners. I loathe making them. I am not sure why it stresses me out so much but I do know after the initial effort it makes my week miles easier when I just have to look at the menu to see what to make. I was watching a report on the news where a woman creates a menu plan for every day of the week for lunches and dinner FOR THE WHOLE YEAR! I think I am in awe and I think she may be a little wonky- just sayin’. Here is to next week being UNDER BUDGET

Here is a link to a mail-in offer from Con Agra. Purchase $10 worth of ConAgra products (includes, Kid Cuisine, RoTel, Banquet, Crunch ‘n Munch, Manwich, Chef Boyardee, Peter Pan, and Hunt’s) and you will receive $25.00 in coupons! Great Deal! The printable form is in .pdf format. If you do not have Adobe installed on your computer you can download it HERE for free. Happy Shopping!

AllYou/ConAgra

** Has anyone tried printing this? I have tried printing it on two printers using only black ink and it does not print well at all. Just wondering if anyone has had better luck than me.

This is the time of year to buy Christmas presents! What?! Yep, right now stores are marking down their toys that are left over from Christmas. This recession has hit stores hard and I do not think the sales are as good as in years’ past but there are still deals to be had.

If you head to Target, make sure to check out their toy section. Right now they should have their toys marked down in the clearance section anywhere from 75-90% off! That is a HUGE DEAL!! Last year I was able to get most of my Christmas shopping done in January at Target. What a great feeling!

Bath & Body Works will probably have their travel size toiletries on sale as well from $1 up.

Check out Walmart (I saw toys on clearance there although not as good of a deal as Target), Toys R Us, KMart, Family Dollar and Big Lots for deep discounts on left over toys.

I am not going shopping this year ::sigh:: as we do not have the cash to do it right now. I figure what is the point of buying toys at such a deep discount if I am going to pay with a credit card and carry a balance? Kind of defeats the deal, doesn’t it? If you go, it is smart to have a list of who you need to buy for, a price point so you do not go over, and ideas for each person on your list. That way you stay within your budget and do not buy excess. It is a great time of year to go and stock up on Birthday presents as well!

Happy Shopping!

Happy Wednesday!

In case you are not sure what certain abbreviations mean here is a breakdown for ya:

DND = Do Not Double

DNT= Do Not Triple

WYB= When You Buy

SS= Smart Source

RP= Red Plum

PG= Proctor & Gamble

GM= General Mills

 Here are the DOTW (like that? ;]) for Tucson:

Bashas’ (Doubles Couponsup to $1.00):

Lettuce – Green or Red Leaf or Romaine, .77 each!

Large Slicing Tomatoes, .77lb.!

Beef Ground 80% Lean, Limit 2 , $1.37 lb!

Chicken Breasts Boneless Skinless , Limit 4, $1.37 lb.!

BC Dinner Helpers (Hamburger, Tuna, etc.)- .88 ea.! Use Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper, any three, DND DNT $1/3 (active) This Link-12/31 Print it twice. OR Use Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals, any flavor .75/3 (2-27-10) SearsSS-1/3. Final Price: .55 each!!

Finish Dishwasher Detergent 12 to 20 ct or 75 oz. $3.99. **I don’t know if this variety is on sale but if it is, it is a great deal: Use Finish Quantum, Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs $2.50/1 (1-31-10) DirectTVSS-1/3. Final Price: $1.49 each!

January Deals at Bashas’:

Hunts Snack Pack 4 pk., .99 each. Use: Hunts Snack Pack Pudding or Gel, any .30/2 (2-28-10) SS-1/10. Final Price: .69 each!

McCormick Taco Seasoning or Grill Mates Marinades Mixes .71 to 1.5 oz. Use McCormick Spice or Herb, any .75/1 (2-7-10) LOrealRP-1/3. Final Price; FREE!!

Minute Ready To Serve! Rice Cups White or Chicken Rice 2 pk 4.4 oz. Use Minute Rice Product any .50/1 (3-6-10) RP-12/13. Final Price: .39 each!

Star Olive Oil 17 oz., $3.99 each!!

Safeway: All Coupons are $1.00! (limited time)

Blueberries 6 oz Limit 4 .99 each!

Broccoli Crowns, .99 lb.!

Texas Grapefruit Ruby Red, .33 lb.!

Yellow Onions,  .33 lb.!

7-UP 2 liter Saturday and Sunday Only!, .77 each!

Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes 4.8 to 6.6 oz. .99 each. Use Betty Crocker Potatoes any Box or Pouch except Potato Buds .35/1 (2-6-10) GM-12/13. Final Price: FREE!

Progresso Traditional or Rich and Hearty Soup 18.5 to 19 oz., $1.11 each! Use: Progresso Rich and Hearty Soup .25/1 (1-30-10) SS-12/6. Final Price: .11 each!!

Rosarita Refried Beans 16 oz., .99 each. Use: Rosarita Beans, any .50/3 (1-31-10) SS-12/13. Final Price: .66 each!!

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers, Saturday and Sunday Only!, .88 each!

Annie’s Mac & Cheese, 6 oz., .99 each! UPDATE: Try this link HERE and see if this works for you. It is a .50 cent off coupon for Annie’s Mac N Cheese making it FREE after coupon! I could not print because I am on Windows 7 and it is not supported . I hope it works for you. Good Luck!

Fry’s (Doubles Coupons up to $1.00):

This week at Fry’s it appears that anything pork related is on sale at good prices:

Cook’s Spiral Sliced Half Ham, Bone In, .99/lb.

Pork Butt, Bone In, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $1.49/lb.

Pork Loin Back Ribs
First 4. $2.99/lb.

Pork Loin, Half, Boneless, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $1.77/lb.

Pork Picnic Roast, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $.99/lb.

Pork Sirloin, Boneless, Sold Whole in the Bag
First 4. $1.69/lb.

Pork Spareribs
First 4. $1.49/lb.

Pork Tenderloin
First 4. $2.99/lb.

Fry’s Milk, 1 Gallon. Limit 2. $1.59 each!!

Hass Avocados, 2/$1!

Chilean Peaches and Nectarines, $.97 lb.!

Cara Cara Pink Navels or Arizona Grown Minneola Tangelos: .88 lb.!

3 lb. bag Red Delicious Apples, 3 lb. bag $2.57 (.85 lb!)

Navel Oranges or Texas Grapefruit, 4-5 lb. bag, $3.47 each (.69 -.86/lb.!)

Coke, 2 Liters. $1.13 each. Special Promo: Buy 4, Save 1.50. Final Price: .75 each WYB 4!!

** I will update as I get to the ads!**