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

When trying to maximize savings at the grocery store, one of the best way to do this is to take advantage of Catalina deals. What is a Catalina? A Catalina is a term used for the machines at the registers that provide printed coupons and promotions for products at grocery stores  with your receipt. Most grocery stores have Catalinas including Walgreens. If you take advantage of a Catalina promotion you can often receive money off your next purchase! Combine coupons and sales with the Catalina deals and you often get what is called a Money Maker: you can often get the product for free AND make an overage (or profit)!

Here is a current example of a Catalina Promotion going on at Fry’s:

Purchase Purex (50 oz.) Laundry Detergent between 1/11 and 3/7:Off Your Next Shopping Order)
Purchase (3) or more and get $5 coupon OYNSO.

Purchase (2) and get $4 OYNSO (

So, here is what I would do to take advantage of this promotion at Fry’s:

1. Fry’s is having a Buy 1o, Get $3 off Promotion on certain items this week. One of the items is Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent. Price before Buy 10 Promo is $2.49. Price after Buy 10 Promo is $2.19.

2. So, I would use this coupon: Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent, any .35/1 (2-20-10) RP-1/10. After the Buy 10, Get $3 Promo and the coupon, this would make the Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent  $1.49 ea., which is a great deal by itself!

3. To then take advantage of the Catalina Deal, I would purchase 2 Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent with coupons (part of the Buy 10 promotion) for a total of  $2.98. Then I would receive a printed Catalina for $4.00 OYNSO! That means I made $1.00 AND I received 2 free bottles of Purex!! Isn’t that a GREAT DEAL?!

So, just keep an eye out for the coupons and promos that the cashier gives you with your receipt. Check weekly sales at HowDo ICoupon.com to see if there is ever a match and see your dollars stretch further!

Have any ?s Just leave a comment and I will get back to you ASAP!

Happy Shopping!

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!

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!

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!

I did not have a chance to add Albertsons deals for the week with my last post so here they are now. Some great deals to be had!

Albertsons 01/06 – 01/12:

Betty Crocker Pouch Potatoes, $1.00. Use Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes (Except Potato Buds) .35/1 (1-16-10) SS-11/22. Final Price: .65 each!

Fiber One Frozen Muffins (part of buy 6, get 30 box tops promo), $1.88 each. Use Fiber One Frozen Muffins, any $1/1 (3-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3 AND Fiber One Frozen Muffins, any, DND DNT $1/1 (active) This Link-12/31. Final Price: .88 each!

General Mills Cereal
Pictured: MultiGrain Cheerios, Fiber One, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Total, Cheerios, Oat Cluster Cheerios, Raisin Nut Bran, Basic 4, Honey Nut Cheerios (Part of buy 6, get 30 box tops promo), $1.88. Use General Mills, Cheerios Oringinal cereal DND DNT $1/1 (active) This Link-12/31 AND $1/1 (active) This Link-12/31 AND $1/1 (active) This Link-12/31. Final Price: .88 each!

General Mills Cereal
Pictured: MultiGrain Cheerios, Fiber One, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Total, Cheerios, Oat Cluster Cheerios, Raisin Nut Bran, Basic 4, Honey Nut Cheerios (Part of buy 6, get 30 box tops promo), $1.88 each. Final Price: $1.33 -1.38 each!

Nature Valley Nut Clusters (Part of buy 6, get 30 box tops promo), $1.88. Use 

Nature Valley Nut Clusters, any flavor, DND DNT $1/1 (active) Group A-01/01 and Group B-12/15. Final Price: .88 each!

Progresso Soup, Classic, $1.00 each. Use 

Progresso Soup any .50/2 (1-30-10) SS-12/6 and (expires 1-9-10) Pillsbury-11/15 and (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3. Final Price: .75 each!

Simply Ivory, regular or aloe, 3/3.1-3.17 oz, $1.00 each. Use Zest, Ivory or Safeguard Body Wash or Bar Pack, any $1/1 (1-31-10) PG-12/27. Final Price: FREE!!!

Yoplait Smoothie Mix (frozen) (Part of buy 6, get 30 box tops promo), $1.88. Use Yoplait Frozen Smoothie, any flavor $1/1 (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3. Final Price: .88 each!

Yoplus+ yogurt (Part of buy 6, get 30 box tops promo), $1.88 each. Use 

Yoplait YoPlus or YoPlus Light Yogurt, any flavor 4-pack $1/1 (2-27-10) GeneralMills-1/3. Final Price: $.88 each!

Update: Safeway

Yakisoba Noodles are on sale there for $1.00 this week. Use Maruchan Yakisoba Flavor .50/1 (1-31-10) SS-10/18  and Maruchan Yakisoba Flavor .50/1 (3-31-10) SearsSS-1/3. Final Price: FREE!!

Happy Shopping!

There are some great deals this week! Fry’s is having a case sale. The great thing about most case sales is you normally do not have to buy a case; you can purchase per item at some pretty steep discounts. These are great prices to stock up on. I plan on buying the canned veggies, spaghetti sauce and peanut butter

Fry’s 1/06 -1/12:

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, 8.5oz
Case of 24: $9.36 or .39 each!

Kroger Chunk Light Tuna, 5oz
Case of 48: $24.00 or .50 each!

Libby’s Canned Vegetables, 14.5-15oz
Case of 12: $6 or .50 each!

Powerade, 32oz
Case of 15: $8.85 or .59 each!

Skippy Peanut Butter, 15-16.3oz
Case of 12: $17.88 or 1.49 each! Use Skippy Peanut Butter Products, any 15 oz. or larger .50/1 (1-10-10) RP-11/15. Final Price: .49 each!!

Fry’s Tomato Sauce, 8 oz. Case of 48: 8.16 or.17 each

Free Gallon of Milk (up to $4.00) when you buy 3 participating products. Limit 2 Free Gallons:

Kellog’s Special K, Nutri Grain or Fiber Plus Bars. 3/$6.00! Use Kelloggs Special K Cereal 11.4 oz or larger any $1/2 (2-14-10) LOrealRP-1/3
Kelloggs Special K Cereal Bars, Fruit Crisps and/or Bliss Bars 5 ct or larger $1/2 (2-28-10) LOrealRP-1/3. Final Price: 3/$5 + FREE Gallon of Milk!

Bashas’ 1/06 – 1/12:

Coffee-Mate Flavored Creamer 16 oz. $1.79. Use Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer, any .50/1 (2-1-10) RP-11/1. Final Price: .79 each!

Colgate Toothbrush 1 c. $1.50 each. Use Colgate 360 ActiFlex Manual Toothbrush, any .75/1 (active) Group B-12/15 Print it twice.
If this variety is included:
Colgate 360 Manual Toothbrush, any .75/1 (1-23-10) SearsSS-1/3. Final Price: .50 each!

Minute Ready To Serve! Rice Cups White or Chicken Rice 2 pk 4.4 oz. $1.39 each. Use Minute Rice Product any .50/1 Expires (12-31-09) SS-10/4 AND (3-6-10) RP-12/13. Final Price: .39 each!

Safeway 01/06 – 01/12:

All Coupons are worth at least $1. For a limited time.

Coffee-Mate Flavored Creamer 32 oz., $1.99 each. With In-Ad Coupon and Additional $10 Purchase – Limit 2
 Use: Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer, any .50/1 (2-1-10) RP-11/1. Final Price: .99 each!

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese 7.25
Saturday and Sunday Only. .40 each!  Use: Buy 3 boxes Get 1 FREE up to $1.49 (1-31-10) SS-12/13. Final Price: .30 each!!

Lucerne Creamery Fresh or Safeway Select Ice Cream Cups 7.5 oz. With In-Ad Coupon and Additional $10 Purchase – Limit 10
Final Price: .49 each!

Ragu Pasta Sauce 16 to 26 oz. $1.50 each. Use: Ragu Pasta Sauce, any .30/1 Expires (1-10-10) RP-11/15. Final price: .50 each!!

Skippy Peanut Butter 15 to 16.3 oz or Welchs Grape Squeeze Jelly 18 to 22 oz., With In-Ad Coupon and Additional $10 Purchase – Limit 4. Use: Skippy Peanut Butter Products, any 15 oz. or larger .50/1 (1-10-10) RP-11/15. Final Price: .49 each!!

5 lb. Bag Idaho Russet Potato, .88 each!

Safeway Fresh Whole Chicken, Limit 6. .47 lb!

Target 01/03 – 01/09:

Finish Quantum dishwasher detergent – 12+3 ct – $3.49
USE: Finish Quantum Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs, any $2.50/1 (1-31-10) DirectTVSS-1/3
Final Price: .99 each!!

Target has the Tag Reader Books on sale for 9.99 and there was a $4.00 off coupon in Sunday’s (1/3/10) Parade magazine. Final Price: $5.99!!

Happy Shopping!

Happy New Year!

I don’t know about you but I am so glad 2009 is done!

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? I like to call them goals so I don’t overwhelm myself or set myself up for failure . I do have some including the usual like exercising more and eating healthier. The biggest goal I have for 2010, however, is to get our personal debt under control. I figure there is no better place to keep track, post, and update this monstrous goal than here!

We have an insane amount of credit card debt and a small student loan to pay off on top of a mortgage and car loans. Yikes! Just writing that all out is humbling and stressful! But, we do want to get on top of it and reduce our debt significantly this year.

So, how to do this? Well we need to reduce the amount of money spent so we can throw the extra at our credit cards. I am so sick of paying interest to these companies who frankly do not give a crap about us. It seems every month we are getting a notice that our credit card interest is going up and our limit is being reduced. Nevermind that we have not once been late in payments in 9+ years and we have always paid off our debt.

The first way I can think of doing this ties into this website: reducing our monthly grocery bill by at least 50%. Typically, for our family of three including two cats and a hamster we spend $400- $500 a month on groceries. This includes all food items and non-food items such as toiletries , pet supplies, etc. So, I want to reduce out grocery bill to no more than $200 a month….Can I do it?

I think I can. I know I can. The concern is can we do it while still maintaining a healthy diet with fresh whole food? I am sure we could live off of Raamen and potato chips but I do not want to feel like sh!t. Eating that kind of food all of the time will ensure that. YUCK.

So, I am going to start posting my plan for sticking to $50 a week for 3 people and 3 pets while eating healthy foods. It seems like a huge goal but the mountain of debt we have is a great motivator! I want to be out of debt more than I want to spend more money on groceries, eating out, etc. I plan to document all of this here while also continuing to post Deals of the Week, coupons, freebies, etc. Wish us luck!