Busy Busy Busy!

I had a dentist appointment that had me going one town over, so I decided I would go ahead and get all this shopping done that needed to be done. I feel so much better now that my freezer is full of meat again. I hadn't purchased any meat in the month of July and very litte in August. I was completely out of chicken and down to my last few packages of hamburger meat. In the past 2 days I have bought so much meat! My freezer is full once again.

I actually hit 3 Food Lions today, but I combined them into one picture.

19.27lbs Chicken (Buy $20 get $5 off Flip) sale $.97lb (Flip works on Pre MVP price)
14.53lbs Ground beef (Buy $20 get $5 off Flip) clearanced priced $1.12lb
1.33lb Pork chops (meat flip) $3.54lb
5.27lbs Deli Ham (Deli Flip $3/$10) bogo $5.99/2lbs (works on Pre MVP price)
24 Lays Chips($2/2Q) reg 3/$1
2 Rotini Pasta ($1 GS flip) sale $.90
1 Coffee Mate ($.50/1) sale $1.25
1 Dole Salad sale $1.29
1 Dozen Eggs ($1 GS flip) sale $.88

Total OOP $38.81
($77.62/$22.50Q)

Quick Trip to BJs-they are definatly the cheapest for cat litter, maple syrup and parmesan cheese-so I buy them there. I noticed the Maple Syrup bottle has shrunk and the price only went down $2....

2 Packs Parmesan Cheese -2/12oz reg $6.39
1 Maple Syrup 32oz reg $12.79
2 BJs Kitty Litter 40lbs each $8.99

Total OOP $45.27

Went to TWO Lowes Foods...the second one had what I wanted (BOO LF!)

2 Honey Nut Cheerios ($.55/1 IP) instasave price $.99
2 Hamburger Buns reg $1.29
1 Cats Pride Kitty litter (Free item Q+instasave $1) sale $7.59

Paid 2.30
($16.29/$13.49Q)


Bilo was the next stop. I was glad when I found out I had $8 GC for there!

16 DelMonte Fruit Naturals ($1/2Q) sale $1
13 Lays chips ($2/2) $.33 each
1 Morelle Off the Bone Turkey ($.75/1) sale $2.50

Paid $8 on GC
Paid $.71
($26.84/$13.50Q)


Went to a different HT hoping they would have the yogurts...No such Luck. Went to my usual one because I passed the HT truck but they hadn't gotten it out yet either and I wasn't waiting around.


3 Keebler Fudge covered grahams ($1/1) sale $2.50
3 Motts Apple sauce ($1/1ip) sale $1.50
1 Motts Jar sauce ($1/1) reg $1.89
2 Philly cream cheese ($1/2) sale 1.50
2 Dole Fruit in Gel ($1/1) sale $1.50
1 Coke (free item Q) reg $1.49

Total OOP $2.86
($28.96/$18.88Q)

Harris Teeter and Food Lion

I finally got my grocery money! Whew! I didn't think I would make it. I have to say I was getting to be kinda downer. I had 5 rebates that needed to be done by Tuesday and I have one kid that i felt as though I had nothing for him to eat. That coupled with the fact we are going camping soon and I am in charge of the meals for 9 people it was a stressful time!

First trip was Food Lion, I did 2 orders because I had 2 rebates I was doing.

2 Hillshire farms Turkey ($.55/1Q) marked down to $2.10 each
1.71lbs Deli Ham ($3/$10flip) sale bogo $5.99/2lbs
12 Lays chips ($2/2) reg 3/$1
10.99lbs Split Chicken breast ($5/$20 Meat) sale $.97lb
1 Bag lettuce sale $2.59
1 Dozen Eggs ($1gs flip) sale $.88
1 Gallon Milk ($1 gs flip) 2.69
1 Loaf Sara Lee Bread (free wyb 2 hillshire farm Q) sale $2.19
1 Bottle Coke Zero (free item Q) reg $1.49

Total OO $25.22
(39.28/$16.78Q)
(I will get back $10 in rebates)


Harris Teeter -My store had been hit hard over the weekend. The cashier said they were super busy yesterday and today they were busy when I was there. They were out of most of the free items -though of course I still managed to get some. I did 2 orders again for rebate purposes.

4 Family packs of Cube Steak (rain check for BOGOF) charged $19.96-I got 2 packs for free
2 New England coffee ($1 IP) sale $4.99
1 Hellmans Mayo ($1/1Q) reg $2.99
1 Flippo Oil ($1/1) sale $3.99
5 Breyers (1-$1/1+2-$.50/1) sale B2g3F
1 McCormick Garlic Powder ($1/1) reg $2.65
3 Ragu ($1.25/3) sale $2.09
1 Bic Lighter ($1/1) sale $2.99
2 bags Ice reg $1.99 each
2 Motts ($1/1ip) sale $1.50 each
3 packs Sandwhich Steaks marked down 25%

Paid $52.71
($63.83/$18.50Q)
I will get $20 back for rebates on that one.

Hope someone eats this yogurt!

I had to take the kids to school today so I figured on my way home I would swing by Food Lion and Harris Teeter. I have roughly $1.25 left of my money for the month. This is a total downer because there are things that I absolutely need (like chicken, parmesan cheese, sandwich meat) plus some rebates that will need to be done on the 31st because that is the absolute last day I can purchase. This is very stressful because I feel as though I have one kid that won't eat the majority of the crap I have in my house. He seems to be making due, so I guess we are OK, I just feel like I am giving him the short end of the stick.

There are some really good flips for food lion too that will work out nice for the things I need. On Monday I plan on using the $3/$10 Deli purchase by getting 2 Fried Chickens (that will qualify me for a $5 rebate too) along with some Deli Ham that is Bogo for $5.99/2lbs. Also there is a $5/$20 Meat purchase and with the split chicken breast on sale this week for $.97lb-that is 5lbs of chicken breast for $5.18! I think that is pretty good. They also have hamburger meat on sale for $1.88lb. I don't normally buy Food Lion meat, but I was looking today and there looked like some good deals and the meat looked good enough. It is amazing how I have lowered my standards since couponining.

Food Lion

1 Gallon Milk (GS flip) $2.69
12 Lays chips ($2/2Q) 3/$1

Paid $1.29 on gift card
Paid $.51 out of pocket
($5/$5Q)
only 2 gallons away from my free gallon of milk


Harris Teeter Day #3 of Super Doubles

6 Kraft Mac N Cheese crackers ($1/2Q) sale $1
2 Motts Apple Sauce ($1/1IP) sale $1.50
2 Dole Fruit in Gel ($.75/1Q) sale $1.50
3 Yoplus+ ($1/1IP) sale bogo 2.59/2 (use 2 Q and you can get 3 for free!)
3 Bumble Bee Tuna ($.55/1 blinkies) sale $1

Paid $.20
(41.56/$18.82Q)

Harris Teeter Super Doubles trip 2

3 Yoplus+ ($1/1 IP) sale bogo $2.59/2

1 Pounce ($1.50/1) reg $1.50

4 MeowMix ($1/4Q) sale $.80

2 Kraft crackers ($1/2) sale $1

2 100 calorie packs ($1 IP) sale $2

2 Smuckers toppings ($1.25/2) sale bogo $2.49/2

3 BB tuna ($.55 blinkie) sale $1

2 Clean Clear TS ($1/1Q) reg $1

3 Edge TS ($.75/1Q) reg $1.50

2 Motts ($1IP) sale $1.50

1 Pop Tarts evic special $.77

Paid $0.26 oop

($49.26/$29.85)

Food Lion and Harris Teeter

Food Lion

12 Lays Chips ($2/2) reg 3/$1
2 Bananas reg $.61lb
1 Eggs (GS flip) sale $.88

Paid $.37 oop
($5.56/$5Q)


Harris Teeter Super Doubles -I am down to my last paper dollars....I am determined to not go over my $250 budget this month!

3 danimals crush strawberry($1/1 Q) reg $2
2 danimals crush blueberry($1/1 Q) reg $2
3 danimals smoothies($1/1 Q) reg $2
2 yoplus ($1/1Q) sale bogo $2.59/2
3 fibre one yogurt ($1/1Q) sale 2.89/2
2 dole pineapple ($.50/1) reg $.99
2 bumblebee tuna ($.55/1 blinkie) sale $
2 motts apple sauce ($1/1 IP) sale $1.50
1 pop tarts (evic) sale .77
2 delmonte fruit naturals ($1/2) reg $1.59
1 20 oz coke zero (free item Q) reg $1.49

Paid $1.35 oop
(45.90/$34.47Q)

8/25 HT, Lowes Foods and Food Lion

I forgot to take the picture of the 3 things I got at Food Lion...
1 360 Tissues (360 Flip) sale $.95
1 gallon milk (gs flip) reg $2.69
1 HA toothbrush

Total $1.73
($4.26/$3Q)

Trip to HT


4 Coke (free item Q) reg $1.49
14 Yoplait Yogurts ($.40/2) sale $.50
1 Yakisoba Noodles ($.50/1Q) sale bogo $1.39/2
1 Reese candy bar ($.55/1) sale $.79
1 Minute Maid Juice boxes (evic special) $.99

$3.34 on gift card
($21.60/$10.55Q)

Still don't like Lowes Foods...whatever.


1 Kraft BBQ ($1/1 BBQ WT) sale $1
4 Muellers Pasta ($.55/2) sale $.60
1 Barilla Pasta ($.50/1) sale $1
2.5lbs chicken sale $.99lb

Paid $2.17 on my gc
paid $.85 cash
($11.54/$7.18Q)

8/24 Food Lion and Lowes Foods

I had my son with me so I did 2 orders

1 Gallon Milk ($1/GS Flip) reg $2.69
2 Bananas (GS flip) $.61/lb
18 Lays/Ruffles Fritolay chips ($2/2q) reg 3/$1
1 Food Lion Pasta (GS flip) sale $.90
2 HA toothbrushes ($1 HA flip) sale $1
2 Home 360 tissues ($1 360 flip) sale $.95

Paid $2.05 on gift card
(16.75/13.98


Went to a different Lowes foods on my way home from an eye dr appointment with my kid...it was a nice store....

1 Coke Zero (free item coupon)
1 LF can cola $.50
1 LF popcorn ($2 instasave) sale $1.75
1 LF ritz wannabees ($1 instasave) sale $2
2 LF apple Juice (instasave $.82+LF $.21) sale $1.50

Paid $.35 oop
(12.47/8.13Q)

Harris Teeter 8/22

I have been busy with taking care of the truck, appointments and school starting. I did manage to take pictures for the most part though.

1 Minute Maid Apple juice evic $.99
2 Smithfield Bacon ($3/1IP) sale $3
10 Yopliat Yogurts ($.40/2 Q) sale $.50/1
4 Garlic ($1/$4 Q) sale $.50
1 3# bag onions $1.98
1 Hamburger Buns reg $1.09

Used gift card $5.06
($15.48/$9Q)

Fried Chicken Fridays at HT

I ran down to HT this evening to get the fried chicken. I have a rebate for $5 off a purchase of $10 and my kids like the chicken so this was the day to buy it. I put it all away before I remembered to take the picture.

2 Buckets Fried Chicken
4 Yopliat yogurts ($.40/2Q) sale $.50
1 Minute Maid Apple Juice boxes evic $.98

Paid $10 on GC I got the other day
OOP $2.08
(9.80/$1.60Q)
I will get a $5 rebate too.

Total YTD
Total OOP $1707.76
Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $6166.64(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB $1.98
AE GC -$15
Dilworth-$2.51
total $19.49

I finally made it to the store today...

I did 2 transactions at FL



#1

4 Morrell off the bone Turkey (BOGO IP) RC for BOGO $2/1

1 Gallon Milk ($1 GS) reg $2.69

1 HA tooth Brush ($1 HA Flip) sale $1

1 Home 360 Kleenex ($1 360 FLIP) sale $.95

6 Lays chips ($2/2 Q) reg 3/$1

1 Natures Place Diced Tomatoes ($1/1 Natures Place Flip) $1.56

1 Magic Stars ($1/1 FL cereal flip) sale $1.89



Paid $7.46

(12.86/$11Q)



#2

1 Gallon Milk (Free Milk wyb 6) reg $2.69

1 Dozen Eggs ($1 GS flip) reg $1.44

6 Lays chips ($2/2Q) reg 3/$1

1 HA toothbrush ($1/1 HA flip)

1 360 Tissues ($1/1 flip) sale $.95



Paid oop $.37

($10.25/$6Q)



HT was next. I had written HT an email because I was supposed to get the $10 catalina deal and they never called to tell me what was going on. The day before the catalina had to be postmarked I had emailed them. Later that day I got the catalina in the mail. Two days ago I got an email from HT saying they would give me $10 on my vic card for my next purchase.



1 Minute Maid Juice Boxes sale Evic price $.98

4 Garlic ($1/$4 Q) sale 2/$1

1 3# bag of Onions reg $1.97

2 Smithfield Bacon ($3/1 IP) sale $3

1 HT hamburger buns reg $1.07

10 Yoplait Yogurts ($.40/2Q) sale $.50

1 $10 GC



Paid $6.52

($30.68/$11Q)




Total YTD
Total OOP $1705.68
Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $6165.04(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
HT GC $10
CVS ECB $1.98
AE GC -$15
Dilworth-$2.51
total $29.49

It has been a rough few days.

On top of the fact that we had 5 extra people here over the past weekend (they left on Monday) on Monday afternoon while I was recouping watching a movie and the kids were out delivering fliers to the neighbors (A Boy with at Truck) we got a phone call. It was #1 calling to say he had been in an accident. After a second call seconds later telling us to bring the "Jaws of Life" we booked it down to where they were-luckily it was only 2 miles away from the house....He was right his door wouldn't open. The truck was T-Boned by an SEMI-TRUCK...yes, my son thought he could make it across an intersection in front of s SEMI Truck.

He also had his two brothers with him too! We thought he was a smart kid! Well anyway, after picking up our children who were definitely slammed around in the truck-they were pushed from the intersection, through some grass did a 180 and then landed down into a parking lot. Luckily it wasn't lunch time or they would have taken out a car or two too!

We took them home called the insurance and checked my son's bank account to see how much money he had. LUCKILY FOR HIM I made him do things like SAVE his Xmas monies and birthday monies (though the older he got the less that went in) along with him saving some of his money from this summers jobs he had about $3600. I started my search on Craig's List so I could get a feeling for prices, after all thank you Bruton Smith for coming up with Cash for Clunkers and thank you President Obama and our lovely government for signing it in and now the price of used vehicles have gone up!

We spend all day Tuesday (so much for triples at HT!) driving around looking to see what we could buy. Luckily we are not too picky when it comes to trucks (which he had to have a truck for his business) and we found another Fleet vehicle. This one is much nicer even though it is a year older than the first one plus it has a lot less miles. On Wednesday we took it too our BFF's step dads garage so they could check it out. They said it is a really good deal and in pretty good condition...So once again we are a 3 vehicle family here is what $3500 can buy in NC. We just hope that this one will not need a new transmission after 2 weeks like the first one did.

Maybe today I can make it to the grocery store.

Food Lion and Walmart

I HAD to have Maple Syrup and Parmesan cheese so I went to walmart where they are the cheapest since I had no coupons and I knew they were not on sale at the other stores.

1 Country Time ($1/1tp) reg $2.28

1 Maple Syrup reg $6.88 (I paid $5.99 for 4 oz less at BiLo!)

1 Kraft Parmesan Cheese reg $3.77

Paid $4.90 oop

paid $10 on GC

($1Q)

Went next door to Food Lion and glad I did...that there Juicey Juice was a weekend special of $.99 EACH!!! I had 2 Q for $.50/2 so they were $.74 each! Pretty good price for Juicey Juice boxes.

2 Milk ($1/1 GS flip) reg $2.59

4 Juicey Juice ($.50/2) sale $.99

2 Right Guard ($1/2Q) sale $.99/1

2 360 Foil ($1/1 360 Flip) sale $.99

1 Michelob Ultra (did you hear me say I had company????) $9.79

$16.36 on gc and $1.62 oop

($13.20/$6Q)

Total YTD

Total OOP $1691.33

Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)

Total saved $1637.04(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)

CVS ECB $1.98

AE GC -$15

Dilworth-$2.51

total $19.49

HT triples #3

Third trip to HT for triples

6 Kikkoman Soy Sauce ($.55/1) sale $1.47/1
2 Pepsi Max 2ltrs ($.55/2) sale $1/1
2 chub ground beef Evic $1.98
1 sugar wafers (for DH grandma) reg $1.09
4 grand flakey ($.40/1+$1/3) sale bogo $1.50/1
6 cinammon rolls ($.40/1) sale $1.50/1
1 suddenly salad ($.40/1 ip) sale $1.50
2 bc cookie mix ($.40/1Q) sale $1.66
2 chex mix ($.50/1ip) sale bogo $1.66
1 Comet Rice ($.50/1) sale $1.59

paid $8.12-angry with myself that I spent that much on a bunch of biscuits I don't really want or need.
($50.77-$25.42Q)


Total YTD
Total OOP $1684.81
Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $6130.04(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB $1.98
AE GC -$15
Dilworth-$2.51
total $19.49

Harris Teeter Triples day #2

We have company and I haven't been able to post much though I have gone to the store. I have managed to take pictures of everything except for what I purchased once-even though they made fun of me asking why I take pictures of what I buy.

1 HT hasbrown $2.49

1HT OJ $1.97

1 Green Leaf Lettuce ($1/$4 Q)$1.79

1 Yellow bell pepper sale $2.50

5 Pizza Rolls ($.55/2) sale b2g3F $2.19/1

1 BC Warm Delight ($.50/1Q) sale $1.67

3 BS fruit shapes ($.40/1Q) sale $2

2 BC Gushers ($.50/2IP) sale $2

2 Suddenly Salad ($.40/1IP) sale $1.50

1 JD Sausage patties ($1 store Q+$1 peelie) reg $3.59

1 JD natural sausage roll sale $2.99

2 pillsbury cresent ($.40/1ip) sale bogo $1.50/2

3 Kikkoman soy ($.55/1peelies) sale $1.47

Paid $14.71

and since my cat didn't print they gave me a refund of $3.73 ($3.50+tax)

($42.42/$21.21Q)

I also bought 2 plants at the farmers market, they were $.50 each!

1 Rosemary

1 Basil

TotalOOP $1

Total YTD
Total OOP $1856.69

Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $6104.62(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB $1.98
AE GC -$73.47
Dilworth-$2.51
total $77.96

BiLo and Lowes Foods without incident

I decided I would go to Lowes Foods, even though I am not a fan and they usually just make me angry...Well there was free school supplies so I was going no matter which crabby cashier I got!

I did 2 orders, just 3 cheese on the second one

2 qt Tonic Water sale $.59 (for husbands grandma)

6 Kraft Singles ($1/2ip+$.50 Store Qx3) sale $2

2.01lbs pork chops sale $1.99lb

1 Colored paper clips ($.50/1 instasave) sale $.59

1 Rubber Bands ($.50/1 instasave) sale bogo $.42/1

1 Protractor ($.50/1 instasave) sale $.50

1 Multipack Erasers ($.50/1 instasave) sale $.32/1

1 Gel Pen (instasave did NOT come off) sale $1.25

1 Caribiner hooks (instasave $1/1) sale $1.02/1

1 Tape ($1/1 instasave) sale $.70

1 Pencil Sharpener ($.50/1 instasave) sale $.37

Buy 3 Kraft items get $3 off your order

Paid $7.83 on GC

(22.75/$10.50Q)

Next up was BiLo I just had to make the Kelloggs deal work for me!

6 Lays Chips ($2/2Q) sale 3/$1

2.97lbs naners (2-$1off produce wyb Kelloggs cereal)$.64lb

1 Sugar Wafers reg $1.75 (this is for my husbands grandma)

6 Keebler cookies sale BOGO $3.99/2

1 Mug Root Beer (free wyb 2 keebler cookies peelie) $.99

2 Orvilles Pop Corn ($.40/1) sale bogo $1.20/1

2 Gallons Milk ($2 off wyb 2 keebler cookies) $2.59/1

Paid $18.88 GC

($38.05/$15.39Q)

Total YTD

Total OOP $1840.98

Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)

Total saved $6083.41(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)

CVS ECB $1.98

AE GC -$73.47

Dilworth-$2.51

total $77.96

Triple couopns at HT!

Triple coupons at Harris Teeter all week! This was one trip, I might go again later, I won't be able to go this weekend I don't think.


Angel Soft TP ($.50/1Q) sale $4.89
1 Suddenly Salad ($.40/1) sale $1.50
1 Dial Basic ($.35/1Q) sale $1.19
1 LOL Half+half ($.55/1) reg $2.55
3 Kikkoman Soy /auce ($.55/1) sale $1.47
1 Utz Pretzels ($.75/1) sale $2
1 Utz Tater Chips ($.75/1) sale $2.50
4 Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes ($.40/1) sale $1.66
3 BC Warm Delights ($.50/1) sale $1.66
2 Gum Toothbrushes ($.75/1) sale $1.99
2 Cressent Rolls ($.50/1) sale bogo $1.50/2
5 Totino's Pizza Rolls ($.55/1IP) sale b2 g3F
1 2lb chub ground chuck evic special $1.99

Buy 15 BTFE items get $5 off

Total on gift card $9.70
($61.37/$30.94Q)



Total YTD
Total OOP $1840.98
Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $6057.52 (coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB $1.98
AE GC -$93.30
Bilo GC-$3.64
Dilworth-$2.51
total $101.43

Like Reese's Peanut Butter cups?

Since I have all this peanut butter lately I figured I would make something. I had kinda been jonesing for a candy bar anyway. I was looking on allRecipes.com and on the front page was a picture of Peanut Butter Bars. I had also seen the recipe on The Homesteading Housewife's blog. I had all of the ingredients so I figured why not! Eveyone said "these takes like peanut butter cups" and I thought how can that be? Well they do! They taste very similar not exactly but similar and fixed my candy craving.

Here is what you need-

1 cup butter
2 cups (14 whole crackers) crushed graham cracker crumbs
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 package chocolate chips
4 tablespoons peanut butter.

Nuke butter till melted. Add crumbs, peanut butter and sugar. Spread into a 9x12 pan. Put in frige for 15 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips with peanut butter (I did mine in the nuker 1 minute, stir then 1 minute more) . Stir until smooth. Spread on peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate. Wait atleast 1 hour before cutting.

These have to be kept in the frige.

Trip to BiLo and I still hate Lowes Foods!

I was having a good day. I drove my husband into work so we could swing by this guys house to buy a camping table for cooking/food prep. I sold something on Craigs List yesterday 1 hour after listing it (Bike Rack-$25) and I also have another item I know I can sell for $25 on ebay (though I have it on CL now)...So I was flying high. I figured since I had to drive him into work anyway I would swing by BiLo and then Lowes Foods.

BiLo

9 Poptarts 8 pks ($1/2Q) sale bogo $2.46/2

1 Value Pack Poptarts ($1/2) sale $2

1 REALLLLL Maple Syrup (no Q)$5.49-I had to have this for all the waffles I have!

1 10oz bag coffee Beans sale $3.49-I am almost out!

1 Southern Home Toastee Tarts (Free WYB Poptart store Q) $1.25

Paid $16.36 on gift card received last week.

(20.02/$7.46Q)

I also qualify for TWO $10 rebates!!!

Lowes Foods. Let me say, I do not like them, I specifically don't like shopping at mine. The cashiers are not nice at all. They don't know the policies and feel if they give you the coupon print out they are off the hook! They are so coupon unfriendly it isn't funny! I digress-So from now on I am only going for free stuff-or it will have to be a SUPER good deal for me to pay even a nickel besides tax.

3 Cabot Butter ($.50Q I forced them to double) instasave price $.98

2 Welch's Grape Jam ($.75/1 IP+store Q $.50) $2

2 Mission Tortillas ($.75/1Q) sale $1.50

Total $.03! Because I insisted my $.50 cabot butter Q be doubled he took of the full $.50 making it pay for part of my tax. Needless to say, my cashier was NOT happy! WHATEVER!!! I told her it is because of their policies that I will ONLY get free items from them now.

I also got 100 green points for bringing in my 2 bags.

($21.35/$15.03Q)

I bought one extra paper yesterday ($2!)

We also treated ourselves to two iced coffee mixed drinks and used our gift cards to pay.

$9.58

Total YTD

Total OOP $1840.98

Total spent buying coupons $145.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)

Total saved $6016.88 (coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)

CVS ECB $1.98

AE GC -$100

Bilo GC-$3.64

Dilworth-$2.51

total $138.87

Almost free peanut butter this week only!

Harris Teeter has some special 3 day only sales going on right now...Since I am alone today I figured I would go walk the store, though I really have only about $2 all in change I couldn't really buy much of anything. They have Skippy for $.97 (limit 2 or 3 depends on what region you are in), Welch's Jelly $.97 (same limit) and HT bread is $.47 with Evic (limit 1) plus some other stuff too-those are what stuck out to me.

2 Skippy Peanut butter ($.60/1Q) sale $.97

Total OOP $.02 (tax)
(5.78/$1.94Q)

I didn't go anywhere else...I only live 1.7 miles from the store so yes I made a trip for just the almost free peanut butter (cause the 5 jars I got that we might use 2 of wasn't enough!)


Total YTD
Total OOP $1840.95
Total spent buying coupons $143.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $5968.45 (coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB $1.98
AE GC -$100
Bilo GC-$20
Dilworth-$16.89
total $138.87

SWEET!!! Perserverance pays off!

Perseverance [pur-suh-veer-uhns] –noun : steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement

Earlier this week I thought about obtaining another line on our cell phone plan. I went on to the At&t site to look at our current plan and also looked up our bill since I was all signed in already. Well, one of the things I noticed was that it said that we were eligible for a 12% discount. This puzzled me since in 2004 we were signed up through our employers plan and we got a 20% discount at that time. I am POSITIVE of this because at that time we added a line for my husbands parents and the amount the 20% gave us it paid for that 3rd line ($11.99).

I called At&t and spoke with quite possibly the least knowledgeable employee employed by At&t. He told me that is showed I was entitled to a 12% discount. I asked when this had changed and he said he didn't know but my husband should have been notified through work. Looking at my page it said something on the top corner about BP Cooperation fan#XXXXX. I thought maybe this was a special link for BP employees so I didn't pay attention to it since BP means NOTHING to us other than we occasionally buy gasoline from there. At this time I did find out that if I wanted to get another line, we would have to change plans (ours is outdated) to less minutes for the same amount of money. I also inquired as to whether we have a contract, and no we don't.

I tell my husband when he goes to work to check out the discounts for ALL cellphone carriers through his work. He sends me back an email they get a 15% through At&T and 20% through Verizon....I do what it says for the At&t and suddenly I notice it says my husbands employer on the top of the screen where it said BP before. I call At&t and inquire what is going on. This next heavy accent person tells me that I only qualify for the 12% discount and pretty much lets me know there was nothing he could do. I end up getting off the phone more confused than when I called plus angry. I called my husband and told him what was going on and basically he tells me that he is glad I am taking care of it because he doesn't want too.

I go and take a walk then shower and think about everything. We are on the right discount now, but for me that isn't good enough. What about this other 8% for the past who knows how long? When I call I ask how long this has been going on for and they tell me they can only go back 3 months which I don't understand, I can go back 14 months on line-all of which have different numbers as credit adjustments. They raise how much they charge us for stupid things for instance right now I pay $1.20 per line for who knows what (this is not taxes that is a separate category) and 1 year ago we were paying $.53 per line. And the main line always has a negative number on it, I assume because that is where the discount is shown. It really is confusing when you don't have a paper bill and there is no breakdown of what these little charges are (they are not for phone calls we have the bare necessities plan).

I decide I am going to call one more time and see if I get someone else and I am going to ask a specific question and hope I have someone with half a brain. I make the call and I get Casey (a female this time, I feel better already) and specifically say "I would like to know when I was changed from Employer X to BP." Then told her everything that had happened to this point. She is very helpful. Proceeds to tell me I was getting NO discount and I ask her questions and she tries to help. She knows her limitations and tells me that there is nothing more she can do to figure out when this was all changed BUT she will fill out some paperwork to have it investigated and to expect a call in a week.

Today I notice I have a voicemail on my phone. I listen to it and it says that they investigated and have fixed the problem and have credited my account. I log into my account and sure enough there is a $120 CREDIT!!! I was so excited, that pays our phone bill for 1.3 months and we are now getting the 20% we should have been getting all along!

So long story short, it took 3 phone calls to get someone to actually help me but perseverance pays off!

Making my money grow!

Ok, so BiLo has this current promotion going on where if you buy $50 worth of Gift Cards (not including BiLo) you get a $8 OYNO Cat or for $100 you get a $20 OYNO cat. I have been racking my brain to try and figure out how to do this without actually spending any extra grocery money since we are trying to live WITHIN OUR MEANS.

As I said earlier this week I got ALL of my grocery money for the month last weekend (which then my husband decided he would take $30 of it making it $245) and I knew the hardest thing for me will be keeping the $100 for the second part of the month like I am used too....So this morning it dawned on me after reading some other peoples posts on Hotcouponworld.com that I should spend the $100 I have in grocery money for the second month on an American Express gift card. The cost of that card is $5.95 in addition to the amount you decide to buy. So I had $18+ left of my grocery money and I decided to go ahead and do that. Stupidly when I tried to buy the GC through uscan I was told I couldn't so I knew I Had enough CASH to buy the other stuff I had so I did. However, now I have no cash left, just a $100 American Express GC and a $20 GC for BiLo. I mean I have some pocket change but that is it. OH WELL! Guess I am forced to either shop at BiLo or make due without.

My first transaction at BiLo

9 Kelloggs Pop Tarts (1-$.55/1+8-$1/2Q) sale bogo $2.39/2
1 Southern Home Toastee Tarts (FREE wyb 1 Pop tart store IP)
6 Lays chips ($2/2Q) reg 3/$1 -my kid ate 3 bags on the way home!
5 Lance crackers ($.55/1 peelies) bogo $2.89/2
1 Luzianne Tea ($.60/1) sale bogo $1.99/2
1 Eggo ($1/1 peelie) sale bogo $2.50/2
1 SH Waffle (Free wyb 1 Eggo IP)
$.10 bag credit

Paid $8.65 (cashier put in wrong price for waffles, they owe me $.65!)
($37.95/$17.38Q)

Received a $10 certificate to mail in for Kelloggs (b8g$10MIR) and also since I bought 10 I can file for a $10 MIR too.

Second transaction was $100 American Express Gift card

Paid $105.95
Received $20 OYNO catalina


Third Transaction

$20 BiLo gift card
Paid with $20 OYNO Cat

$00 oop!
($20Q)

So lets see...I spent $8.65 and will get back $20 in Mail in Rebates I also spent $105.95, have $100 to spend anywhere and also received in essence a $20 Gift card from BiLo! So I will end up with a Net $25.40 in my pocket!


Went to Food Lion next. I had heard they have Capri Sun on sale for $2. Not that I have a whole lot of money left. Of course I had forgotten to print out those flips-so I got HiC instead. Got some other stuff too. I had my son with me so we each did an order.

5 Glade Candle Holders ($2 Q) sale $2
2 Healthy Accent hand sanitizer ($1 HA flip) sale $1.29
1 dz Eggs ($1 GS flip) sale $1.29
1 Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup ($1 GS flip) sale $1
2 Home 360 Tissues ($1/1 360 item) sale $.95
1 HiC ($1/1 HiC flip) sale $2

Paid $2.76
($19.99/$17Q)

SO I guess I actually came home with more money than when I left-I spent $117.36 and came home with $120 in gift cards and all the stuff in the pictures. Plus the TWO $10 MIRs (that are going in the mail tomorrow).

Total YTD
Total OOP $1840.93
Total spent buying coupons $143.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $5968.45 (coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
BiLo GC $20
American Express $100
CVS ECB -$1.98
Dilworth Coffee $16.89
total $18.87

BiLo and Harris Teeter Fuel for School and more!

First stop was BiLo I had the deal all worked in my head. I am glad it worked out at the register too! I did 2 orders-

#1
5 Peter Pan Peanut butter (2-$.50/1+1-$.50/2Q+$1/1 Q) sale bogo $2.70
2 Chef Boy Ravoli ($1/1 IP) sale $$.88
6 Lays Chips ($2/2Q) reg 3/$1
Total OOP 2.67
($15.49/$8Q)
Received $5 OYNO cat from the Peanut butter and Ravoli purchases

#2
2 Keebler ($1/2IP) sale $2
4 Kelloggs cereals ($1.50/2 IP) sale bogo $3.85/2
2 Fruit loops ($1/2Q) sale $3.56/2
2 Frosted Flakes ($1/2) sale $3.98/2
6 Lays chips ($2/2) reg 3/$1
12 Yoplait Yogurts ($.40/2Q) sale $.50
2 Ocean Spray ($2/1 WYB 2 Mini Wheats) $2.50/1
1 Gallon Milk ($2/1 WYB 2 Keebler) $2.69
4 Pizza Rolls ($.55/2IP) sale $1/1
Used $5 catalina from transaction #1

Total OOP $14.54
($51.40/$25Q)
The beauty is I can get 2 rebates out of this last transaction, each for $10!


Went next door to Harris Teeter. Not sure what my rush was but why not, I was out!

4 Keebler cookies ($1/2Q) sale bogo $3.69/2
4 Rice Krispie Treats ($1/2Q) sale $2.29
2 Cheez Its ($.75/1 IP) sale $3.49
2 Sprite ($2/2 WYB 2 Cheez its) $1.50
2 Gallons Milk ($2/1 WYB 2 Keebler cookies) $2.69
2 Loaves HT bread ($2/1 Store brand bread WYB 2 Rice Krispie Treats) $.97
1 Loaf HT bread ($2/1 Store brand bread WYB 2 Rice Krispie Treats) $1.57

Total OOP 19.14
($29.16/$17Q)
I did NOT get my $10 catalina, I can call to have them send it to me. I did qualify for the other Kelloggs rebate$10....

Total YTD
Total OOP $1723.57
Total spent buying coupons $143.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $5914.06 (coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB -$1.98
Dilworth Coffee $16.89
total $18.87

Kelloggs what are you doing to me!

It has come to my attention that Kelloggs is really hurting for business! I mean what else can it be? Why would they run these CURRENT promos?

Buy 8 participating Kelloggs, Keebler, Sunshine, Eggo get a form for a $10 debit card running at TWO different stores-BiLo and Harris Teeter

FOUR yes FOUR different rebates for $10 when you buy 10 different Kelloggs, Keebler, Sunshine, Eggo products. (Kmart flyer, Sunday Paper Kelloggs Insert, Fuel For School Magazine on display in stores and an On line form). You can do ONE of each rebate form per address.

Free DVD tokens on specially marked Keebler products

Free Star Trek Stuff wyb specially marked Kelloggs cereals, Eggos and Pop Tarts

Coupons in the Fuel For School Booklets for things like $2 off produce wyb 2 Eggos or Keebler sandwich crackers, $2 off bread wyb 2 Rice Krispie Treats or Kelloggs Fruit Snacks,

Coupons from this last weeks paper....

And the great thing is the Promos at BiLo and Harris Teeter can been done endlessly (I sent in 11 last time)-plus since they do not require the original register receipt, if you buy 10 items you can also do one of the FOUR Mail in rebates that do require the receipt and UPC. ALSO if you get any of the items that have the special tokens on them you can get can get those items for free too, like the DVD or Star Trek Flash Drive, Tshirt or Free Movie Tickets.

I need to get my head together!

Food Lion and CVS

Had to take my child to drivers education for the driving portion.
Swung by Food Lion first-There are still some good Flips available to print.

2 Food Lion hamburger buns ($1/2 Hamburger/hotdog bun flips) $.99
1 Home 360 baby wipes ($1.50/1 Wipes Flip) $1.62
1 Healthy Accents Floss ($1/1 HA flip) reg $1.39
1 Home 360 Tissues ($1/1 360 Flip) sale $.95
2 Kelloggs Apple Jacks ($1/1 Kelloggs Flip+$1/2 Kelloggs Q) sale $1.99
1 Magic Stars Cereal ($1/1 FL cereal Flip) sale $1.89
1 Gallon Milk ($1/1 GS Flip) reg $2.89
2 Muir Glen Tomato Paste ($1/1 IPs) reg $1.17
1 FL brand Oatmeal ($1/1 FL oatmeal flip) reg $1.69
Paid $7.55 oop
($16.45/$9.50Q)


Next door is CVS figured I would get some more cheap school supplies.

Each item was $.99 and each item earned me $.99 ECB for each. I did 3 seperate transactions because I had $1.98 in ECBs to work with. I still have $1.98 left in ecbs after all is said and done.

Paid $.33 OOP (which is sales tax)
($4.95Q)


Total YTD
Total OOP $1687.22
Total spent buying coupons $143.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $5864.06(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB -$1.98
Dilworth Coffee $16.89
total $18.87

Harris Teeter and the Farmers Market

We sold a TV today that we had listed on Craigs list TWICE in the past 3 months (I listed it near Memorial day the first time). I had given up and was sick to death of looking at it. I had sent my husband an email earlier this week telling him he MUST get rid of the thing. If I didn't say this then it would have sat in the "Pantry Overflow Room" until it was out worth nothing! Just as he started looking for a buyer at a Pawn shop I had gotten an email from someone that had emailed me before saying he wanted to look at it. As it turns out he only lived a few miles away. So he came this morning, looked and bought it! My husband gave me the money and said this is your grocery money for the month. SO $275 for the month, which is a little more than what I have been averaging a month anyway.

We went to the Farmers Market since my tomato crop has been less than stellar this season. Not that I haven't gotten many tomatoes, I have gotten quite a bit, but I didn't know how many I would get from 40 plants and since I planted 3 different varities that ripened at different times I haven't been able to make a HUGE pot of sauce like I had hoped. So we went to the farmers market hoping to get some tomatoes. Well we hit it well I do think!

We went a little later. I checked out all the vendors and it looked like the tomatoes were $1-$1.25lb. The deal was if we bought all that he had it would be $10...Then he threw in the onions.
18lbs tomatoes
6 small onions
Total OOp $10


Next to HT to get garlic to make spagetti sauce with. They have a Evic right now if you spend $50 you get $10 off and my cashier said this was BEFORE coupons. However while walking around I found a $20 rebate wyb $50 worth of groceries-so I made sure to get just over $50 worth of groceries. What better way to get items that I normally don't get a lot of coupons for? I also tried to use rainchecks since there wasn't a lot on sale that I wanted.

12 Yoplait Yogurts ($.40/2Q) raincheck $.50
1 3#bag onions reg $1.97
4 bulbs garlic $.50 each
1 6" sub of the day $2.99
1 12" sub (not of the day)$4.99
4 Hillshire farms tub lunch meats ($.55/1 peelies) sale $3.50
2 Rosemont Wine reg $7.99
1 Electrasol ($2.50/1Q) sale $5.19/2
2 Bananas ($1 wyb $4) reg $.64lb
2 Gold Medal Bread Flour raincheck $.99
1 Gold Medal flour $.99
6.59lb Hamburger meat sale $1.99lb
3.3 lbs chicken breast sale bogo $2.50/1

Used $10 evic
Paid oop $54.35
($45.08/$12.70Q)
So to recap $16 was for wine, $8.25 for chicken and $13.11 for meat, $8 for subs-I will get a $20 rebate.


Total YTD
Total OOP $1679.34
Total spent buying coupons $141.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $5849.61(coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB -$1.98
Dilworth Coffee $16.89
total $18.87

BiLo 7/30

Quick trip to BiLo (no picture)

20 Yoplait Yogurts ($.40/2) sale $.50
2 Totonio Pizza Rolls ($.40/2Q) sale $.99
1 Southern Home yogurt ($2 store Q) reg $2.39
3 Soy Sauce ($.55/1 peelies) sale $1.56
2 Mentos Gum ($.55/1Q) sale $.99

Total OOP $5.23
($23.96/$16.08Q)

Total YTD
Total OOP $1614.99
Total spent buying coupons $141.13(Extra papers + coupons from ebay)
Total saved $5836.91 (coupons+gift cards used+ECB used)
CVS ECB -$1.98
Dilworth Coffee $16.89
total $18.87