Publix 2/22/09

I've gotten a little behind lately in keeping up with my posts.  There are two reasons for this.  1)  I haven't made too many trips to the stores, since I've been stocked up.  2)  I've been busy!  The last trip I made I didn't do as well as I had hoped.  When you're used to saving SO much money, saving a little doesn't seem as exciting.  :-)  There still are a few highlights to share.  Of course, the penny item is top of the list.  This week it was tortilla chips.  Pasta sauce was on sale buy 1 get 1 free.  Hillshire Farm lunch meats was also buy 1 get 1.  Only bought 1 and combined with a coupon.  Received a free 2L coupon for Diet Dr. Pepper in the mail, so I used that.  Used a Food Lion coupon for cat litter.  And got Bertolli dinner on sale.  Also picked up a few Publix brand items, so technically probably saved a little more than I can report.

Spent:  $29.43

Saved:  $13.06

Publix, Kroger, Target 2/8/09

Made a few stops this weekend, so I'm going to do a combined post with all my savings.  As you know from my previous posts I'm a big fan of the free Cottonelle toilet paper freebie deal at Kroger, so I stock up every chance I get.  And while I have enough cat food for probably a year, why not grab one more free bag while I'm at it.  Today I used 3 coupons I got from a Kraft Super Bowl promotion, which got me a free block of cheese, box of Wheat Thins and mixed nuts.  I also had a free coupon for 100 Calorie Cakesters, which I got through Kraft First taste (sign up here).  And a coupon for a free can of Del Monte No Salt Diced Tomatoes.  I like free!  Other deals:  Kashi frozen entrees at 50% off, Kashi snack bars for $0.75 (compared to $2.75) and French Toast for $0.65 (compared to $3.29).  I would have done better this week, but had to pick up a few things to make cupcakes for work.  Plus I went ahead and picked up two papers today, rather than waiting until Monday when they are $1 at Kroger.  I've had issues the last two weeks, so I didn't want to risk it again this week.  Almost forgot, the penny item was a 5lb bag of sugar.  Nice!

Spent:  $32.96

Saved:  $50.33

Publix 2/1/09

This week's highlights include lots of Free or cheap coffee.  First the penny item was Publix brand coffee.  Next I used a coupon for a Free Maxwell House coffee I received from Kraft First Taste (sign up here).  I also had another $2 off coupon I used on the second one.  Stocked up on a couple "buy 1, get 1" offers combined with coupons my deals were:  Velveeta for $0.80 each (normally $3.59); Kraft Mayo for $1.25 each (normally $3.99). I also picked up Pam for $0.99 by combining a Publix coupon with a manuf coupon.  Did the same for the Horizon's milk, getting it at $2.19 (compared to $4.19).

Spent:  $17.13

Saved:  $27.31

Sometimes Free, Really IS Free!

I have recently discovered there are a bunch of websites dedicated to all the free samples you can sign up for.  Some of the coupon blogs I read post these from time to time, but you can find a daily updated list at this site:  www.sweetfreestuff.com.  Walmart also has free samples, updated periodically.  You can find the latest by clicking here.  Here's just a few of the things I have received/signed up for over the last few months (some are still available):

*Dunkin Donuts coffee 

*Folgers coffee

*SoyJoy bar

*Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Hot Cereal

*Quaker True Delights bar

*Total Cranberry Crunch Cereal

*Bear Naked Granola

*Tide Total Care 

*Bounce Dryer Sheet 

*Always Infinity Pad

*Benefiber 

*Crest Whitestrips Advance 

*Emergen-C

*Airborne

*Dove Hair Therapy Shampoo

*Greenies Cat Treats

*Cream of Wheat

*Trident Gum

*Head & Shoulders Shampoo 

*Pantene Pro-V Shampoo

*GoodNites Sample (for my nephew)

*Orville Redenbacher Natural Popcorn

*Pedigree Good Bites Dog Treats (gave to a friend)

*Coupon for 1 Free Meal at Zaxby's

*Coupon for 1 Free 10 oz. Maxwell House Coffee

*Coupon for 1 Free bottle of Suave

*Coupon for 1 Free 2L Dr. Pepper

Sam's Club 1/19/09

I made a mistake that turned into an opportunity to do something for a friend.  I recently chose a Sam's gift card as my Discover card cash back reward.  Problem is it was a free $40 membership and not an actual gift card for cash.  I already have a membership.  So I chose to give the card to a good friend of mine who likes to go to Sams, but doesn't have her own membership.  I was able to use the additional $10 gift card that came with it to use for the items above.  So the reward wasn't a total loss.  Besides its good to do something for others too.  I seem to keep learning the same lesson lately - "pay more attention!"  :-)

Spent:  $2.31

Saved:  $10.00

*Oh and the other big plus about going to Sam's during lunch, is you can load up on free samples, which I referred to as "appetizers"!  And for lunch I got the hot dog combo meal, which is only $1.50

Publix 1/25/09

So I've gotten to the point where I really don't need to buy much each week.  If a blizzard were to hit Tennessee, I would be able to survive for months!  My plan now is to focus on the essentials, and only stock up on the really good deals.  This week the Publix penny item was paper towels.  I bought Kraft salad dressing which was "buy 1, get 1 free."  Combined with my coupons they were about $0.85 each (compared to $2.69).  I also bought Dole fruit cups for about $0.60 each (compared to $2.19).  The chicken was also on sale for $3.61.

Spent:  $11.07

Saved:  $19.25

Another way to look at it - $30 worth of food, for only $11.  I'm really starting to enjoy this coupon game!

Walgreens 1/25/09

This week I decided to stop by Walgreens for a few deals too good to pass up.  I picked up a load of razors for only $2.99 and got 3 packs of panty liners for $1 total.  Not bad.

Spent:  $3.96

Saved:  $5.80