Publix Savings/ Spent $47 Saved $114 (71%)

Free and Super-Cheap at Publix

6 x Yoplait Fiber One yogurt, $1.25 (raincheck) - $1 MQs = 25c/4-pack

Blue Bell Ice Cream, $3.99 - $1.50 MQ = $2.49

Nature Valley Nut Clusters, $2.50 - $1.60 = 90c each

(I had a Food Lion Q for $1/2, but my Publix apparently stopped taking Food Lion, otherwise these would have been 40c each.)

Pears, 69c/lb

Eggland's Best Eggs, $2 - 50c Q, doubled = $1

Snuggle, $3-$3 MQ = FREE

Bird's eye Lightly Sauced Veggies, $1.19 - 50cQ, doubled = 19c each

Bird's eye Mixed Veggies, 89c - 50c Q, doubled = FREE plus 11c overage

2 x Bandaids, 79c each - $3/2 = Free plus overage

4 x Sundown Vitamin D, $2.99 - 2 x $6/2 Publix Q - 4 x $1/1 Sundown Q = Free plus $4

overage, total

4 x Children's Tylenol Meltaways, $4.09 each - 4 x $2 Publix Q - 2 x $3/2 MQ = 59c each

Arm & Hammer Toothpaste, 2/$2.99 - 2 x $1.50 Q = FREE

(I am still on a quest for free toothpaste that doesn't bother my husband's gums!)

2 x Lactaid, $3.49 each - $4/2 MQ = $1.49 each

3 x Glade Fragrance Collection Mini Candles, $3.19 each - $3 Qs = 19c each, Plus this qualifies for a $5 rebate from S.C. Johnson. Spend 57c, get back $5 rebate!

2 x Scott wipes, $1.10 in-store special - 50c Qs, doubled = 10c each!

Publix Candy Corn, Penny item, 1c

Skintimate Shave Gel, $2.17 - $1.50 MQ - $1.50 Target competitor Q = Free plus 83c overage!

Yakisoba Noodle Bowl, 79c - 50c Q, doubled = Free plus overage

The Rest of the Haul

Other Deals of Note

2 x Fresh Express Spring Mix, BOGO $3.99/2 - 55c/2 Q = $1.72 each

Progresso Broth, $2 each - 50c Qs, doubled = $1 each

Sun Chips, $3 - $1 Q = $2

Aunt Jemima Syrup, 2/$3.79 (raincheck) - $1/2 MQ = 2/$2.79

A Great Read: Coupon Burnout

OK, I admit it. I get coupon burnout sometimes. In fact, I burned out last week with coupons. That is one reason I decided to shop at Aldi this week. If you feel burned out, this article at Southern Savers will help you to put it all into perspective. Read and enjoy.

The Great Aldi Experiment

All this for $37.18 plus tax

I've been reading on some of my favorite Frugal blogs about how much Frugals love to shop at Aldi. Up until recently, I wasn't willing to drive the half-hour to my closest store to take advantage of the savings. Just in the last few weeks, a new Aldi has opened up about 10 minutes from my house. I was determined only to buy the very basics this week (milk, produce, cheese) and I didn't want to stock up on any major coupon deals at the regular grocery stores.

Here are my observations from my fun Aldi trip:

(1) Bring your own bags and a quarter. Aldi strives hard to minimize their overhead costs. A few of the amenities we are accustomed to at traditional grocery stores do not exist at Aldi. They do not employ baggers or courtesy clerks. If you want to use a grocery cart, pop a quarter into the receptacle to check out a cart. The quarter is returned when you return your cart. Also, bring your own bags, and plan on spending a few minutes at the "bagging area" after you check out.

(2) Aldi is a small grocery store. They mostly carry house brands to minimize costs, and they do not accept coupons. They have a fairly good selection of groceries, but did not carry everything I wanted. For example, they had only white rice, and not brown rice. The dried bean selection consisted only of pinto beans. They were also out of spring mix salad blend, but did carry other bagged salad selections.

(3) Some of the produce prices were amazing! The produce section was small, but the quality of the produce looked good. Here are some of the amazing prices I found:

3 lbs. large gala apples, $1.19/bag (I bought 2 bags!)

whole Dole pineapple, 99c ($2.99-$3.99 elsewhere)

48 oz. zucchini, 99c

large pumpkin, $2.49 (These are $5.99 at other stores!)

bananas, 39c/lb (69c at other stores!)

broccoli crowns, $1.49

(4) Aldi is a good place to buy basic baking supplies. I bought a bag of all-purpose flour for $1.49. I'd have paid at least a dollar more at Publix or Kroger. I also bought a 2 c. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips for $1.69. Basic baking supplies rarely go on sale, except for a little bit around Thanksgiving and Christmas. I usually do not stock up at the holidays enough to last all year, so it's nice to have a lower cost source.

(5) Aldi has great prices on dairy products. Dairy is another thing we go through quickly. I bought skim milk for $1.49/gallon. Whole milk was an incredible 99c/gallon. I also bought blocks of mozzarella and cheddar cheese for $1.49/8 oz., a good price.

(6) Aldi has a double guarantee on their house brands. If you don't like something, they will refund your money and replace the product.

Have you shopped at Aldi? Do you have any good tips to share?

100% Free at Publix

We all had a wonderful time on vacation, and I'm still working to get back into the swing of things.

An unexpected trip to the pediatrician, a minor infection, and a trip to fill an antibiotic prescription brought me to Publix, even though I had not planned to go there this week. To my delight, the Rx was on the list of Free antibiotics! My daughter has so many drug allergies, I didn't thing any of the free ones were safe for her, but there was one! Hurray!

I also snagged three of the free Snuggle fabric softeners while I was there. I had stashed these coupons in my wallet just in case!

Snuggle fabric softener, $3 each - $3/1 coupons = FREE

Blogging Break

Hello Readers,

I'm taking a short blogging break for a family vacation. I will see you all next week.

Homemade "Magic" Sore Throat Elixir

No that the weather is changing for the lower temperatures, invariably there are allergies, sore throats and sniffles just around the corner, or maybe already here. I wanted to share with you a little recipe to ease the inflamed throats and stuffy sinuses.

My husband and I really think this sore throat tea is magic. It is incredibly soothing. The combination of the mint, lemon, honey, and tea really works a comforting wonder on an ailing upper respiratory system.

"Magic" Sore Throat Tea

One mug of boiling water

One green or black tea bag

One mint tea bag (peppermint or spearmint, or blend)

1-2 tsp honey, or to taste

1 T. lemon juice, or to taste

Have a healthy happy fall!

Black Beans Part 2: Five-Veggie Chili

I wanted to take a picture of this beautiful chili, but it was consumed all too quickly! When I make an extra big pot of black beans, half of it gets saved and goes into this chili. What we really like about it is the assortment of veggies that goes into it.

Margery's Five-Veggie Chili

1 lb. ground beef or turkey

diced small onion

diced bell pepper

1/2 lb. mushrooms, chopped small (portobello taste great!)

2 15-oz. cans diced tomatoes

black beans (about 1/2 lb dry, cooked into about 3-4 cups)

1 T. Chili powder

1 t. paprika

1 t. oregano

1 T. parsley

1 t. cumin

3/8 t. cayenne pepper, or to taste

1-2 cups water to thin, according to preference.

Saute first four ingredients in large skillet until meat is cooked through. Add all ingredients to large pot, and simmer 30 minutes or longer.

Top with cheese if desired. I hope you like this as much as we do!