Publix Trip 5/30 - Saved 71% (Lots of Frees)

I had a wonderful trip to Publix today.  I was even able to purchase a lot of fresh produce, many natural products and organic yogurt.  

Here are the things I got for FREE or ultra-cheap.

2 Glad Cling Wrap $1 - $1 Q = FREE

6 Glade Plug-Ins, 3 Free Item Qs + 3 BOGO Qs = 6 FREE

2 First Aid Kits $1.47 each - $3/2 Q (blinkie in Publix) = FREE

2 Kraft Mac & Cheese FREE (These are 60c each this week, and I had 2 x Buy 3 get one free Qs.)

4 French's Mustard:  70c each - 50c Q doubled = FREE + Overage

3 Taco Bell Kits: $1.35 - $1 Q = 35c each 

McCormick Black Pepper 4 oz, $1.80 -  $1 Q = 80 cents each.  (Great to get essentials!)

Sara Lee Hot Dog Buns $2 - $2 Q (WYB 2 Ball Park Hot Dogs) = FREE

Planters Peanuts $3.19 - $2 Food Lion Q - $1 MQ = 19 c 

Above is the rest of the trip.  I had so many coupons this time, that the customer service person had to enter a code to put in my last coupon.  

Shopping Trip Summary

Total Before Coupons & Sales : 193.55

Vendor Coupons:  $52.44

Store Coupons:  $14.25

Advertised Sale Savings:  $61.27

Advantage Buy Savings:  $3.03

In-Store Special Savings:  $7.00

Total Savings at Publix:  $137.99

Total Before Tax:  $55.56

Total Savings:  71%

As a side note, I haven't been too impressed with Publix meat or milk ($2.79/gal) prices lately, so I will be making a trip to Kroger later this week to buy $1.99 milk and $1.99 chicken.

Quick Kroger & Walgreens Trip

I had a little extra time today, so I ran by Walgreens and Kroger.

Kroger:

Dozen eggs $1

Carefree Pantyliners $1 - $1 MQ = FREE

Kroger Ibuprofen $1.99 (Hubby really needed this!  My stockpile of aspirin, Tylenol, and Aleve wasn't helping him.)

2 Reach Toothbrushes $1 - 50c Q doubled = FREE

4 Country Time Lemonade $1 each - 2 x $1.50/2 coupons = 25c each.

I spent $3.99 before tax, and earned $2 off my next order for purchasing the Country Time!

Walgreens:

Bought 2 Banana Boat Sunscreen $9.49 for 2 (BOGO sale),  used 2 x $2 coupons = $5.49 for two spay cans.  Boy, do we go through this in the summer time!!

Kids and Chores

Do you wish your house were cleaner?  Do you wish you could teach your kids to be more responsible?  Do you wish you could spend less time on house cleaning?  I know I do, and I think one of the most under-used resources in home keeping is our children.  Since we all live here and all are blessed by a clean, organized home, we all share in the responsibilities of home keeping, each according to their ability.

It's that time of the year again, right after school is out, when I work up new chore schedules for my kids.  Summer is a great time to teach kids new skills, and house cleaning is no exception.  Then, when school starts again, a good routine is already in place.  It's good to change around chores, so they don't have to keep doing the same chores year after year.  I also think that chores teach a great habit of responsibility that will (hopefully) last them a lifetime.

Here are the chore lists we worked up this year.

Daily Chores - everyone

(Mostly this is just cleaning up after yourself!)

Make Bed

Put away dirty clothes

Put away shoes when they come off

Fold and put away your own clean laundry (oldest 2 kids)

Put your own dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and clear your place

Put away all your toys and things (that have migrated throughout the house) at the end of the day

Chores for 10 year-old son

Monday - Collect trash from wastebaskets and put into the garage bin (not kitchen garbage)

Tuesday - Wipe out the microwave & clean front

Wednesday - Clean bathroom downstairs toilet

Thursday - Clean master bathroom toilet

Friday - Clean kids bathroom mirror (He's the only one tall enough!)

Saturday &  Sunday - none

Chores for 7 year-old-daughter

Monday - Vacuum the stairs with hand vac

Tuesday - Sweep the garage

Wednesday - Wipe down the sinks and counter in the kids' bathroom

Thursday - Clean the kids' bathroom toilet

Friday - Dust the downstairs rooms

Saturday &  Sunday - none

Chores for 4 year-old-daughter (She loves to feel big & important by having chores!)

Monday - change the drinking cups in the bathrooms

Tuesday - Windex the TV screen

Wednesday - Wipe the fingerprints off kitchen windows

Thursday - Wipe fronts of stove and dishwasher

Friday - Wipe down the outside of the kitchen trash can

Saturday &  Sunday - none

What chores do your kids have?

Publix: Great Deal on Crystal Light 5/28 through 6/3

Stock up this week on your summer drinks.  Today through the end of the sale cycle (next Wednesday in Georgia) Publix has Crystal Light canisters on sale BOGO 2 for $3.99 ($2 each).  There are $1/1 Printable Coupons HERE or HERE.  At these links, You can also print a Buy 2 Crystal Light get one Free Crystal Light Skin Essentials.

Buy 2 regular Crystal Light for $3.99  (Use two $1/1 Coupons)

Buy one Crystal Light Skin Essentials (Use Free Coupon)

Get three Crystal Light products for $1.99!

************

Here's another great printable coupon:  $2 off any Banana Boat Product 

(excluding trial size and lip products).

Kroger: Lemonade Money Maker

I went to Kroger yesterday to pick up some $1.99/gallon milk.  While I was there, I bought 2 canisters of Country Time Lemonade for $1 each and used a $1.50/2 coupon HERE.  It made the lemonade 25 cents each.  After my order rang up, I received a catalina that states

"Buy Any Two (2) Country Time Drink Mixes

Between 5/29 - 6/11

and SAVE $1.00

With coupon off your next shopping order"

I was two days too early to get the $1 off coupon.  Unfortunately, you can only print one coupon from the link above instead of the usual 2.  I'm off to look for another computer....

Yummy Cinnamon or Blueberry Muffins

I like to make most of my own baked goods so that I can use the healthiest ingredients and be more economical.  I would like to share one of my family's favorites.  I had planned to make cinnamon muffins, but I found some frozen blueberries in my freezer, so Viola:  blueberry muffins!

Cinnamon (or Bluberry) Muffins

2-1/4 c. whole wheat pastry flour (or whatever you have)

1 tsp. salt, optional

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 c. buttermilk*

2 eggs

1/2 c. canola oil

1/2 c. honey

1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

(add 1 c. blueberries for blueberry muffins)

Mix dry ingredients in mixing bowl.  Add liquids and mix until just blended.  Makes 12 regular or 24 mini muffins.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes (or 20 minutes for blueberry.)

*You can substitute 1 c. milk plus 1 T. lemon juice for the buttermilk.  Warm in microwave until thickened.

Other notes:  I usually leave out the salt, as we find that the sodium in the baking powder and soda provide enough saltiness.  If you want to reduce the fat content in the mufins, you can decrease the oil to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 cup applesauce if desired. 

Blessings!

This recipe is adapted from one from The Breadbeckers.

Top Publix Picks for 5/28 through 6/3

Hello friends.  Here are my top picks for Publix for the upcoming sale week.  If you are still stocking up on your condiments, there is a great deal on mustard this week (a money maker).  I like the sale & coupon combo on black pepper, too.  It's great to get good deals on cooking essentials.  Remember that summer is the time to stock up, as condiments are usually not on sale in the cooler months.

French's Yellow Mustard, 8 oz., BOGO $1.39 (70c each)

Print a 50c/1 coupon HERE, or HERE, and get 30c overage!

Kraft Mac & Cheese Boxes, BOGO $1.19 (60c each) 

Buy 3 Get 1 Free Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, printable 

Kashi Cereals and Snack Bars 2/$5

Print $1/1 Kashi Honey Sunshine HERE  (It's very good!)

Print $1.50 off 2 Kashi cereals HERE

Print $1.50 off 2 Kashi TLC bars HERE

Taco Bell Dinner Kits, BOGO $2.69 ($1.30 each)

$1/1 Printable (use zip code 32801)

Makes it 30c each!

McCormick Black Pepper, 4-oz can, BOGO $3.59 ($1.80 each)

Use the $1 off McCormick spice from the "Save Money, Save the Planet" coupon book from Publix.  Makes it 80c each.  I'm stocking up!

Fantastic Cleaner, BOGO $2.50 ($1.25 each)

Use the $1/1 Fantastic All Purpose Cleaner coupon from the SC Johnson booklet found at Publix "Save over $37 today"

Makes it 25 c each!

Spray & Wash, BOGO $2.99 ($1.50 each)

50c /1  from the 5/3 SmartSource insert, doubled

Final Price = 50c

You can also still get free Glad Wrap, free Cover Girl, free Reach floss, free Diet Coke and free first-aid kits.

Blessings!

Thrifty Tip: Going Green by Doing Away with Paper Products!

Here is one of my favorite ways to go green and save money too.  About a year ago I gave up paper napkins for cloth ones.  Originally I started using cloth napkins everyday because I thought they looked more elegant for our evening meals, and then I noticed how much fewer paper napkins we consumed, which also meant less paper waste going to the landfills.  

I also switched out paper napkins for cloth ones at breakfast and lunch.  I even pack a cloth napkin in my kids' lunch boxes.  It's funny.  I still have half a package of paper napkins in the top of one of my cabinets.  It's over a year old.  we will probably use it up on our camping trips.

I love using cloth napkins.  They seem so much nicer to wipe your mouth on, and they make the table so much more appealing.  Another surprising aspect of using cloth napkins is that they actually do not take any more work to use them.  Since I am doing at least one load of laundry every day, I just add the used napkins to that day's load.  I do not iron them (except for special occasions) and just pop them back in the drawer right next to the kitchen table.  (I have a set of napkins in the washer right now!  LOL!)

Hand in hand with using cloth napkins, I also love to use cleaning cloths instead of paper towels.  I find them to be more absorbent and better at those things that need a little more scrubbing power than paper towels.  I keep a few stashed in each bathroom for handy cleaning.  When they are wet or dirty, I just lay them on top of the washer to wait for the next day's laundry load.  

I do still use a few paper towels.  I still find them handy for really greasy jobs such as cooking sausage or bacon.  I bought a six-pack of paper towels last summer, and I still have half of them unused.

Have you substituted cloth for paper in your home?

Menu Plan Monday : Happy Memorial Day

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day today.  As you enjoy time with family and friends, please take a moment to remember those who gave their lives for our country.  This year, Memorial Day is especially meaningful to us, as my first cousin, 1st Lt. Eric Emmert was killed in an ambush attack in Mosul, Iraq in February this year.  Our hearts are filled with sad gratitude toward the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our Amerian liberty.  We also thank the Lord Jesus who gave us the greatest sacrifice of all for the greatest freedom of all.

*************************** 

Whew, after a whirl-wind week of last-week-of-school activities, making mercy meals for others, and having out-of-town guests, I'm getting my head back into the game of meal planning for our family.  I'm so happy that summer is here!!  Here's what we are planning this week.  I hope this will give you some ideas for your family.

Monday

Hamburgers

Baked Beans

Potato Chips

Cupcakes!

Tuesday

Popcorn Shrimp

Corn

Salad

Cinnamon Muffins

Wednesday

Meatloaf

Broccoli

Mashed Potatoes

Thursday

Omelets

Roasted Potatoes

Sausage

Fresh Fruit

Friday

Chicken Fingers

Rice

Steamed Broccoli and Carrots

Saturday

BBQ Pork

Homemade bread

Green Beans

Rice

Sunday

Spaghetti

Publix: Super Cheap Mayo through 5/27

Hello Friends,

Publix has Kraft Mayo on sale this week BOGO $4.29 ($2.15 each).  Use the Kraft $1/1 printable coupon from HERE, and stack it with the new Super Target $1/1 Printable HERE.  The net cost to you will be 15 cents for one huge jar of Kraft Mayo.  

It's a good thing this came along.  I am almost out of mayo.  I think I'm just about stocked up on my condiments now.  How about you?

Thrifty Tip: Buying Meat in Bulk

It's difficult to get coupons for fresh meat and poultry.  So, when meat goes on sale, I like to buy larger quantities to take advantage of the cheaper $/lb. price!  For example, smaller packages of ground beef were $2.49/lb., but if I bought 5 lbs, I could get it for $1.99/ lb.  How do you deal with bigger quantities of meat that you can't use it right away?

Freeze it of course.  I pulled out some of my free Glad Wrap from Publix, my kitchen scale, and my ground beef.  I freeze it in little patties of 4 to 5 oz. each.  They freeze and thaw so easily.  One patty is perfect for adding to spaghetti sauce.  For hamburgers, I pull out as many patties as I need burgers, and for meatloaf I thaw out 5 or 6!  

Thrifty Meals: Pizza Bagels

Whenever bagels go on super sale, I always buy some to make one of our family's fav. meals:  Pizza Bagels!  Top half a bagel with spaghetti or pizza sauce and your favorite toppings.  Then, warm it under the broiler.  I'm sure you could pop them in a toaster oven, too!

I make a simple sauce with 1 8-oz. can of tomato sauce (free with a coupon!) and 2 - 3 teaspoons Italian Seasonings!

Kids favorite:  Cheese & Pepperoni 

Hubby's favorite:  Ham & Bell Peppers (yummy!)

(I have been known to make these with leftover hamburger buns or English muffins, but bagels are the best!)

Publix Trip 5/22 - 77% Savings

Publix continues to amaze me with the wonderful deals and the number of coupons they give you for free!

Today I scored all of the items in the photo below for free or just pennies!

7 Free Glad Wraps: $1 - $1 Q from the Top Chef Coupon Booklet (available free at Publix) = FREE

2 Mini First Aid kits: $1.47 - $3/2 J&J First Aid Item (blinkie machine at Publix) = FREE

3 Bottles Kraft Dressing: $1.50, Used one $1.50 Q and 2 $1 Printable Q plus one Target $1/2 Q = FREE

4 Boxes of Wheat Thins:  $1.63, Used 4 x $1 Printable Q plus 2 $1/2 Target Printable Qs = 13c each

Ocean Spray Juice:  $1.99, Used $1 Printable Q plus $1 Q from the cash register tap at Target = FREE

2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese: $1.25 each, Used one BOGO coupon and one 75c/1 coupon = 25c each.  This will be great with all the cheap and free crackers we've been getting lately!

2 Bush's Grillin' Beans (photo below): $1.15 each, used 2 x 50c coupons doubled = 15 c per can.  I obtained these coupons by emailing the company and asking for them!

2 Packages of Kraft singles (photo below), 12 oz.:  $1.29 each, used $1/2 Manufacturer Q and $1/2 Target Printable = 29c each

Here is the rest of the spread.  I splurged on lots of yummy produce:  fresh corn, carrots, bagged salad, green onions, cilantro, and over 2 lbs. of cherries ($9.54 alone, Yikes!)

(Hint:  There is fresh salsa in our future!)

Final Tally:

Total Value of Groceries  $106.02

Vendor Coupons  $25.60

Store Coupons  $41.31

Ad Savings  $41.31

Advantage Buy Savings $4.13

Total Savings  $82.04

Total Spent 23.98 +

Tax $1.89

Saved 77%

More Kraft and Nabisco Printable Coupons

I hope you have lots of paper and printer ink.  Kraft Foods and Coupons.com are restocked with lots and lots of great coupons for Kraft and Nabisco products.  If you use these products, I suggest you print them before they are out of stock!  

As usual, you can generally print two coupons per computer.

(Hint:  The Wheat Thins coupon works great with this week's Publix sale!)

A couple of more great Publix deals this week...

A1 Steak Sauce BOGO $4.19 ($2.10 each)

Use the $2 A1 Steak Sauce Q from the 5/10 Smart Source Newspaper Insert

Final Price: 10c

Buy yourself a 20 oz. Diet Coke and a single carnation stem.

Use the $2 off coupon from the Yellow Advantage Buy Flyer for $2 off Diet Coke and any Fresh Flower Purchase.  

Final cost: about 10c for both

Nabisco Wheat Thins:  BOGO $3.25 ($1.63 each)

Use the $1/1 printable Q  from kraftfoods.com 

Use the $1/2 Target printable coupon from Hot Coupon World or A Full Cup.

(Both of these wonderful sites have all the unexpired Target Coupons available for printing.)

Use both together for a Final Cost:  13c per box

Don't forget about the other good freebies and cheapies this week.

See my other posts: 

 TOP PICKS this week

First Aid Stuff and Reach Floss

FREE Chocolate on Fridays

M&M Mars wants to give you free chocolate on Fridays!  (There is almost nothing sweeeter to my ears than the words "FREE" and "chocolate" in the same sentence!)

You can receive up to four coupons per household.  After 9 a.m. on Fridays, click on the link below to order your coupon.  It should arrive in a few weeks.  Then come back next Friday and order another one!  I've already ordered two, and I'm going for my third tomorrow.  (If the website is slammed, just try again a little later.)

Real Chocolate

Beautiful and Frugal Teacher Gifts

It's that time of year when many of us are showing our appreciation for our children's wonderful teachers.  They have spent so much of the year investing their talents and time into teaching, training, and (usually) loving  them.

Here is a lovely teacher gift from my garden.  Earlier in the spring, I took out a portion of my mint plants, and replanted it in a pot.  With some pretty wrap and a bow, it makes a beautiful and useful gift for my daughter's teacher who has "mint" so very much to us this year!

What frugal gifts do you give to your kids' teachers?

FREE Hot Dogs, Today, 5/20, only

Kraft is really whacking us over the head with so many great coupon offers.  I just think I might pass out!  Click HERE to sign up for a coupon for free Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs.  This link is only good today.  The coupon will arrive in a few weeks.  

(Thanks, Affluent Pauper!)

Publix: Top Picks for Sale Dates 5/21-5/27

Here are my top picks for this week's upcoming sale.  You had better print some of these coupons quickly, as they are disappearing!

Kraft Dressing, 14 or 16 oz. bottle, BOGO $2.99 ($1.50 each)

Use the Get a $1/1 printable coupon HERE.

Combine it with the Target $1/2 printable HERE  or HERE.  (Espires 5/23!!)

Together they give FREE dressing!

Or use the $1.50/1 Q from the 5/10 Smart Source Sunday insert, = FREE

Kraft BBQ sauce, 16.25 to 28 oz. bottle, BOGO $1.39 (70c each)

Get a $1/1 printable coupon HERE.  (FREE plus 30c overage)

There is also a 75c/1 coupon from the 5/3 Smart Source Sunday insert. (FREE)

Kraft American Cheese Singles, 12 oz., BOGO $2.59 ($1.30 each)

$1/2 from coupons.com and kraftfoods.com (Print Limits seem to have been reached, but hopefully you printed them out already!)

Combine that with the $1/2 Target Q  HERE  or HERE

Makes it 30c each.

Aunt Jemima Syrup, 24 oz. bottle, BOGO $3.79 ($1.90 each)

(I need syrup to go with all the Kashi and homemade waffles we've been eating!)

$1/2 - Makes it $1.40 each

Muir Glen Organic Tomato Sauce, 8 oz., Regular Price of 89c

Print out $1/1 coupons HERE, and you have FREE tomato sauce.

If you'd like to see a complete list of Publix sale match-ups, you can go HERE or HERE.

Publix: Cheap Deodorant and Free Cover Girl

Here are a couple of more deals going on at Publix.  These are Advantage Buys and will last through May 29th.

Right Guard Sport Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant is 50% off, which makes them $1.40 at my store.  There are $1 coupons out from the 4/19 Smart Source newspaper inserts, which makes them 40 cents each!

(Hmm, my hubby loves this brand, but probably already has a year's supply of deodorant.  Should I buy more?)

Dry Idea is also on Advantage Buy for 50% off, which makes it $2.25 at my store.  There is a $2 printable at coupons.com, which makes it only 25 cents each!  (I know it's free after Extra Bucks at CVS, but I'm tired of them always being out of stock and living rain check to rain check!)

There was a $2 Cover Girl item from the 5/17  Proctor & Gamble insert.  There is also a $2 off Cover Girl Publix Coupon in the Green Advantage Buy flyer.  Use both of these together for $4 off one item.  It will make many eye shadows, nail polishes, and lip glosses free, or very cheap!

Baking Day: Pumpkin Waffles

Sports practice nights are always a tough night to plan a family meal.  It's really easy just to run to the drive-thru and grab a burger and fries.  We do that type of thing occasionally, but I really resist because I know that type of food is not very healthy for my family or my wallet.  If I know there is an event coming up which will keep me really busy in the late afternoon / early evening, I try really hard to plan and cook ahead.  

Since we  have two hours of soccer practice tonight, I made up some yummy pumpkin waffles!  I also cut up a cantaloupe, and will cook a little sausage to round out the meal.  I also find that when inspiration doesn't come for my weekly meal planning, a nice change of pace is breakfast for dinner.  For us, that usually means big garden omelets, hash browns, waffles, or something else that is cooked and hot.

Here is the recipe that I sort of cobbled together out of a few that I like:

Pumpkin Waffles

3 c. whole wheat flour (or whole wheat pastry flour.  I used fresh milled.  Use whatever you have.)

1/2 c. sugar

4 t. baking powder

1/2 c. veg. oil

3 eggs

2 c. milk (maybe more)

1  15-oz. can pumpkin puree

1 T. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

1/2 t. ground cloves

Combine wet ingredients and mix well.  

Add dry ingredients and mix well.  

Adjust milk, adding more to desired consistency.  It should pour off a mixing spoon, but not be too thin.

**Spray waffle griddles with cooking spray!  (Do this after each waffle, too, or it really sticks.)

Cook until well browned! 

I made a double recipe since I will be taking some to a dear family whose Dad is in the hospital.  

These also freeze well, but be sure to either freeze them separately on a cookie sheet, or place a layer of waxed paper in between.

Now we have a meal ready to eat when we come home all tired and hungry!

Delish!

Free Books for Georgia Children

Do you live in Georgia, and do you have a child under age 5?

If so, you may be able to receive hardback books for your child, every month, for absolutely no cost, mailed to your home!

Check out The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy.   There is a listing of eligible counties, and easy instructions on how to sign up.  Below are some of the wonderful books my daughter has received since enrolling in the program.

Another Benefit to Frugal Living

I just know y'all want to look at my garbage cans!!

I am posting these silly photos to show one of the greatest advantages to Frugal Living.  Frugal Living is Green Living.  Us thrifty moms who reduce, reuse, and recycle not only save all the trash and packaging from going into the landfills, but it also saves us money, too!

My trash pick-up only comes once per week.  We have a huge recycle bin (the yellow-lidded one), and diligently recycle paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, aluminum, steel cans, etc.  It is usually at least half to 75% full.  

This week, I kid you not, there is only one kitchen garbage bag and one household trash bag (tissues, floss, etc., which my son faithfully collects each Monday from the wastebaskets around the house). 

Just think how much trash you throw away every time your family goes to a fast food restaurant:  cups, lids, straws, sandwich wrappers, styrofoam containers, greasy fry containers, paper napkins, etc.  What about all those take-out convenience foods ... lots of packaging that goes in the garbage!  

So next time you decide to eat at home instead of go out, or if you cook ahead for your kid's sports practice days, remember that not only are you saving your own hard-earned "green,"  you are going green and saving the landfills, too!

Blessings!

Publix Totally Rocks! 75% Savings

Yet another unbelievable trip to Publix this week.  The savings just continue to roll.  I even forgot a couple of competitor coupons at home, but I still saved 75%.  The haul was so big, I couldn't fit it into one photo.  The Lord has certainly blessed us with our daily bread this week.  

 Here are some highlights:

3 Boxes Mini Wheats (one is in the next photo)  BOGO $1.95 ea - $1 MQ = 95c each

7 x 4-packs of Yo-Plus Yogurt BOGO $1.25 ea - 50c MQ doubled = 25 c each 4-pack

 

7 Glad Cling Wrap 100 sq. ft.  Advantage Buy $1 each - $1 MQ (See below post) = FREE

7 Ritz Crackers BOGO $1.75 each - $1 MQ - $1 Target Q = FREE + overage

1 Box Wheat Thins (on right edge of photo)  FREE Q When you buy Ritz from Sunday's Paper

Cascade Rinse agent :  FREE item coupon from a home mailer.

8 Boxes Smart Taste Pasta:  $1.25 Advantage Buy - $1/2 MQs = 75 C per box

4 Yakisoba Noodles: 89c - 35c MQ doubled = 19c each (a great on-the-go lunch)

Tidy Cats Litter, 20 lbs:  $9.89 - $2 MQ - $4 Publix Q (any Purina pet product) from Family Style mag = $3.89, a wonderful price for 20 lbs. of premium scoopable cat litter!

8 McCormick Grill Mate Seasonings:  BOGO 99c each - 50c MQ doubled = FREE

4+ lbs. apples (in 4 approx. 1-lb bags):  Used 4 Target coupons for $1 off 1 lb. apples

Breyers Ice Cream: BOGO @ 2.50 ea - $75 MQ from Sunday's paper, = $1.75!

Publix Window Cleaner $0.01 with Penny Item Coupon

J&J First Aid Items: All Free with $3/2 MQ from blinkie machine and $2/2 from Green Advantage Buy flyer.

Reach Floss:  $1.49 - 50c MQ doubled - $1 Publix Q = FREE plus overage

Visine Eye Drops:  BOGO $3.99 each, used $3 off Qs, so 99c each.  These are really handy during allergy season!

I also used a $5 off $25 purchase from Kroger and one $5 off $25 from Rite Aid.

I hope this gives you some great ideas for your trip!

Final Tally:

Total Value of Groceries:  $218.87

Vendor's Coupons:  $65.69

Store Coupons:  $36.58

Advertised Special Savings:  $46.92

Advantage Buy Savings:  $13.87

Total Savings at Publix:  $163.06

Total before Tax:  50.37

Total after tax:  55.81

75% Savings

Free Glad Wrap @ Publix: Summer Is Here Top Chef Coupon Book, exp.6/30/09

There is a new Coupon Book at Publix.  You need to go pick up a few. (Don't you love free coupons?) I tried to scan the booklet so I could post it, but my scanner is not cooperating.

** There is a $1 off any Glad Food Storage Product Coupon ***

Glad Cling Wrap 100 square feet is on advantage Buy 2/$2 this month, so FREE Glad Wrap!

Here is a link to a favorite and lovely frugal blog.  She had a picture of the booklet and a list of the coupons found in it!

A Proverbs Wife: Summer Is Here exp.6/30/09

Menu Plan Monday

Well, try as I may, I couldn't finish out the meal plan for the end of the week.  It's a crazy week with end of school stuff, end of soccer, my family coming from out of town, and Memorial Day weekend.  I will have to sit down mid-week and figure out the rest!!  (Also, the new Publix sale will start on Thursday!)

One of the best steps you can do to reduce your grocery bill is to plan your meals for the week.  Plan your menu based on (1)  what is in your pantry and freezer and (2)  what is on sale this week at the grocery stores.  

Monday

Salads with chicken

Homemade whole wheat bread

Tuesday (soccer practice)

Homemade waffles

sausage

cantaloupe

Wednesday

Sea Sations Fish  (got it free with a coupon)

Brown Rice

Green Beans & Almonds

Also, make chicken salad for a school event on Thursday

Thursday

Spaghetti & Salad

(This was a request from hubby!)

Friday, etc.

TBD

76% Savings at Kroger

I stopped by Kroger on the way home from taking my kids to school.

I had heard from a friend that Kroger would double only one of a like coupon, and the others would only ring up at face value.  I'm happy to report that that was not true on my Kroger trip today.  I used 2 x 50c Angel Soft toilet tissue coupons and 5 x 50c Mahatma rice coupons, all of which doubled!  (It made the TP 28c per 4-pack and the rice FREE!)

 Kraft BBQ sauce is $1.25 each.  You can get your own $1 off printable coupons HERE and HERE.  Final price is 25c each!  This is a good time to stock up on condiments, as they are never on sale in the winter!

Milk $1.99

Rice 99c - 50c Q  doubled = FREE

TP = $1.28 - 50c Q doubled = 28 c

Kroger cereal bars = FREE with coupon from Kroger home mailer*

Propel water = FREE with coupon from the Kroger catalina machine

Pizza Cheese, 8 oz $1.19 each.  I needed these for pizza later this week!  (These actually rang up at $1.99, so I had to go to customer service for a refund of the overcharged amount.  Too bad Kroger doesn't have an equivalent of the Publix Promise!)

*If you have not registered your Kroger card on the Kroger website, you should do so, and sign up to receive the home mailers.  They issue these about once per quarter, and send you coupons for the things you use.  Usually they send you a coupon or two for a FREE item!

Final cost for all the above items:  $7.10, or 76% saved!

Best Publix Deals 5/14 - 5/20

There are some exciting deals at Publix this week.  Here are my top picks.

(These are preview prices and might be slightly different in your area.)

Gallon Milk:  $2.00

Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, 14 oz:  $1.99 - $1 Q from here = 99c

Kellogg's Mini-Wheats or Little Bites BOGO $4.19  ($2.10 each)

Use $1/1 Q from here makes it $1.10 each

Ritz Crackers  BOGO $3.79  ($1.90 each)

Use the $1 off coupon from here

  Stack with the $1 off Target coupon from here 

 Makes it FREE with possible overage!

Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce  BOGO $2.29  ($1.15 each)

Use $1/2 Q from SS 5/03.  Makes it 65c each!

McCormick's Grill Mates Seasonings BOGO $1.99  ($1.00 each)

use 50c/1 Q from RP 4/19 or 5/03 (doubled)

use $1/1 McCormick Spice from the "Save Money Save the Planet" Booklet at Publix.  

These are usually located near the front door entrance with the weekly ad display.

either coupon makes it FREE!

Florida Sweet Corn:  25c per ear

Yoplait Yo-Plus Yogurt:  BOGO $2.50 ($1.25 each)

Yoplait 50c/1 Q doubled makes it 25c per four-pack

Printable $1/1 from here  makes it 25c per four-pack

Visine Eye Drops:  $3.59

$3 off any Visine-A or Visine-AC product (if included)

Final cost 59c

Soft Soap Liquid Hand Soap, 7.5 oz: $1.00

35c/1 Q from SS 4/26.   Final Cost 30c each.

40c/1 printable    Final Cost 20c each.

You can also get free Reach floss and Free travel-size first aid kits this week.  (What family with kids can't use more band-aids?)  I posted about these here.

What's on your shopping list this week?  Leave me a comment.

How Big is $100 Million

So, this post isn't really related to coupons, family, or faith, but it does relate to budgets.  

Watch this video for an interesting look at what it really means for the government to cut $100 million out of the federal budget.

Enjoy!

KASHI Waffle Coupons for You!

Would you like to have some 29c Kashi waffles like I posted about?

Go to HERE to print your own Kashi coupons.  Look for the coupon tab in the upper right-hand corner.

You can print two per computer.  Once you print the coupon the first time, hit your browser's back button to print a second.

Menu Plan for This Week

I find that one of the most challenging jobs as a frugal homemaker is the constant feeding of five people... every day ...  three times a day ... almost 365 days per year!  I am planning to post my meal plans for the week.  Maybe this will help you have some good ideas for your families, too.

Monday

Turkey Sloppy Joes, coleslaw, and corn on the cob.

(Publix was out of corn, so we had orange slices instead.)

Tuesday (soccer night)

Sandwich Wraps at the Practice Field

Chips & Baby Carrots

Wednesday

"Star Kist Se- Sations" Fish

(I got these free with coupons!

They are pretty good.)

Steamed Rice (make extra for tomorrow)

(Also Free With Coupon)

Steamed Broccoli

Thursday

Chicken Stir Fry & Rice

Orange Slices

Friday

Homemade Pizza

Saturday

Going to a cookout - yay!

Sunday Special Breakfast*

Cinnamon Scones

Sunday Dinner

Grilled T-Bones

Grill Fries

Salad

* If we are not attending or serving first service at church on Sunday, I make a special breakfast as kind of a celebration of the Lord's Day.  It starts the day out on a happy note!

What are you having for dinner this week?  Leave me a comment.

So this Coupon Walks Into Target...

Kashi Waffles, 29c per box!

I had to go to Target for another reason today, but I decided to price check the Kashi Waffles.  I had four IP (internet printable) coupons for $1.50 off a box, and I received another five in the mail from Vocal Point over the weekend.  

WOW, I'm glad I did!  They were on sale for $1.79 each, so 29c per box for 9 boxes.  

The Banana boat 1-oz. tubes of sunscreen were free:  99c each - $1 Q.  So, yeah, they are tiny, but free is free.  The manufacturer coupon does not exclude the travel or trial sizes.

Bountiful Blessings at Publix this week

I had a wonderful trip to Publix today.   

We especially liked the freebies in the photo below.

Green Giant frozen veggies $1 - 50c Q doubled = FREE

Jello Pudding:  $2.00 - 50c Manufacturer's Q doubled - $1 Food Lion Store Q doubled = FREE

 Powerade 32 oz:  FREE item coupon from My Coke Rewards

Kashi Waffles:  $2.79- FREE item coupon from Vocal Point!

4 Glade Plug In Gel Warmers:  2 x FREE item coupons, 2 x Buy One, Get One Free coupon = 4 FREE

4 Johnson & Johnson mini-First Aid kits:  $1.47 ea - 2x $3/2 Qs = FREE

2 J&J Rolled Gauze:  $1.99 ea - $3/2 Manufacturer Qs - $2/2 Publix Qs = Free + $1.02 Overage

Electrasol Finsh dishwasher Detergent:  $2 sale - $2.50 coupon = FREE + 50c Overage

J&J Reach Floss (regular) 3 x $1.49 - 50c manufacturer's Q doubled - $1 Store Q doubled = FREE + 51c Overage each!

Publix Potato Chips = Penny Item (Technically not free, but close!)

New York Strip Steak:  Okay, this might be a stretch, but it was $9.91.  I was able to use a $5 off $25 purchase from Kroger and a $5 off $25 purchase from Rite Aid on my total order.  So, it a way they were free.  At least that is how I am rationalizing it (LOL)! = FREE

Here's the entire spread with my two shopping helpers!

There were some fabulous deals on organic and natural food items.  Here are the highlights:

Cascadian Farms Cereal $2 ea. x 3:  Used 1 x $1/2 and $1/1 = $1.50 each and $1 each.  This is really a great price for organic cereal!

Stoneyfield Yogurt 60c each x 12:  Used 3 x $1/4 coupons = 35c each

Kashi Honey Sunshine Cereal:  2 x $2.50 - $1.50 Qs = $1 each

Back To Nature Cookies:  7 x $1.50 each on sale - 7 x $1 Qs = 50c each!

(We rarely buy store cookies since they are usually full of partially hydrogenated oils - - Trans Fat - - So these are a really special treat!)

Produce

My family loves to eat fresh produce.  We go through so much every week.  If you really look, however, sometimes you can find ways to reduce your fresh produce cost!

Here is what we bought

Publix Coleslaw

Florida Navel Oranges

6 lbs. Apples

Cucumbers

Wrapped Broccoli

Grapes

2 Bags Spring Mix

Coleslaw Mix

My Publix will take Target Coupons.  Target has an IP for  $1 off 1-lb or more of bulk apples.  I made 6 little bags of 2 large apples each.  This works out to about a pound.  Then, I used 6 coupons for the apples.  I also had a Kroger coupon for $4 off your $20 produce purchase. 

Total cost of produce alone before coupons: $22.60

Total value of coupons: $10.00

Net cost of produce: $12.60

  44% SAVINGS - Just on produce!

Grand Totals for this trip:

Total Value of Groceries Before Sales and Coupons:  $173.61

Total Savings $124.45

Net Cost after sales and coupons: $49.16

TOTAL SAVINGS 77%