Saturday Savings, 3/27 -- Publix

Had a blast shopping today. It was super fun to have my parents along with us.

Here's the roll call:

6 boxes of Ritz pretzel crisp -- B1G1 -- $3.79 for 2
Used 6 $1 coupon from 3/14 SS or 1/24 SS
Paid: $1.79 for each set of 2 or $5.37 for all 6!

6 boxes of Ritz crackerfuls -- B1G1 -- $3.59 for 2
Used 6 $1 coupons from 1/10 SS
Paid: $1.59 for each set of 2 or $4.77 for all 6!

3 Hallmark cards -- $.99 each
Used $2/3 coupon from the tear pad in the Hallmark aisle
Paid: $.97 for all 3!

2 Bob Evans Mashed potatoes (in tubs) -- B1G1 -- $3.39 for 2
Used $1/2 coupon from 3/21 SS
Paid: $2.39 for both!

2 Jimmy Dean sausage rolls -- 2 for $4
Used $1 from (??)
Paid: $3 for both!

2 tubs Curly's barbeque -- B1G1 -- $5.69 for 2
Used $1 coupon from (??)
Paid: $4.69 for both!

4 Oscar Meyer bacon -- 2 for $6
Used 4 $.75 coupons from (??)
Paid: $2.25 each or $9 for all 4!

8 Bird's Eye Steamfresh veggies -- 50% off -- some were $1.79 and some $2.39 originally
Used 7 $.35 coupons from 2/28 SS
Used 1 $.50 coupon from Mom (Thanks, Mom!)
Used 4 $1/2 Publix coupons from the Yellow Advantage flyer
Paid: $.04 each for 6, $.19 for 1, and $.34 for 1 or $.77 for all 8!
WOW!!

1 Yoplait Greek Yogurt -- $1.00
Used FREE coupon from a past newspaper -- don't remember the date -- late February/early March?
Paid: FREE!

4 International Delights coffee creamer, 16 oz. -- 2 for $3
Used 4 $.55 coupons from 3/7 SS
Used 2 $1/2 Publix coupons from the Yellow Advantage flyer
Paid: $.45 each or $1.80 for all 4!

Total before coupons, but after store sales -- $64.91
Total after coupons -- $30.57
Total savings today -- $87.69
A savings of 74%!

These deals are good through Tuesday, 3/30. Get those coupons out and get going!

My New Coupon Organization

These are an integral part of my new coupon filing system. I have out grown every method I've used so far, and this is the next step. I don't know how I could get any bigger than this. I'd have to rent a storage unit. (hhmmmmm . . . NO! Do NOT let me think things like that!)
So, I put the date on the green hanging files and the coupons insert name (Smart Source, Red Plum, P&G, and GM) on the manila folders. I also have a hanging folder for each month's All You magazine, and another for the current month's Publix advantage flyers, and another for the current month's Walgreens savings booklets.

My "filing cabinet." I bought a set of 2 from Sam's Club for less than $11. The total for the bins, files, and folders was right around $20. This bin is nearly full already. I may be able to fit April's coupons and All You.

My former coupon filer. May it rest in peace. I'm not sure how I'm going to use it now. I thought about putting one of each insert in here to take to the stores with me so that if I come across a good deal, I'll always be able to get at least one of that item. On second thought, though, I rarely ever find deals on my own. I get all the deals from other people's blogs. I don't know if I'd recognize a good deal if I saw one. :)

Eat-In Until Vacation Countdown

I know, vacation countdowns and eating in have very little to do with one another. But the Tupua family is putting those things together. Beginning the 1st of April, we will do a daily countdown to vacation and see how low we can keep the number of eat-out meals. We will probably continue to do our traditional Saturday breakfast out. And my husband and I have enjoyed the financial freedom to do a couple of date nights this month. That time together is hard to resist.
We will come up with some reward system between now and the beginning of April. We'll reward ourselves based on how our results relate to a predetermined number of eat-outs. For example, I think we can eat out fewer than 12 times between April 1 and May 29th. That gives us just Saturday breakfasts and a couple other meals thrown in. That really is a low number for how we've been living our lives. (Well, not this month, but many months.) If we stick to it, we'll give ourselves . . . I don't know, maybe breakfast at Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom or at Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort? Something cool and special. The Tupua family will come up with a cool plan. Join us?

March Mission -- Day 24

I can't believe how quickly the month is going. Good grief, we're nearly done with March already!

Here's how the past several days have gone:
Sunday, 3/21
Breakfast -- home -- around $2
Lunch -- home (roast and rice) -- $8
Dinner -- frozen pizza -- $3

Monday, 3/22
Breakfast -- home -- around $2
Lunch -- school/work -- no cost
Dinner -- Five Guys in Mobile, AL (a special treat) -- $25 ish

Tuesday, 3/23
Breakfast -- home -- around $2
Lunch -- school/work -- no cost
Dinner -- Whataburger (an unplanned treat; that's what happens when you don't finish your business until 8:00 pm and the kids still haven't eaten.) -- $20 ish

Tuesday's dinner was not planned and not a good value. We had thought to go to Fazoli's for kid's meals for $.99, but we didn't get there before 8:00, when the kids' night ends. So, Whataburger it was. Too bad, too, because Fazoli's lets anybody get a kid's meal -- even the grown ups. So we could have all eaten for $6 or $7. Oh well.

This challenge has been so good for our family, financially. And so good for me, domestically. I have enjoyed getting to cook for my family, even if I don't enjoy the clean up. I am already thinking of carrying this over into next month (I did mention that in another post already, I know.). I'll have to think of something.

Saturday Savings, 3/20 -- Publix

Another great stop at Publix this evening!

Total spent: $81.55
Total saved: $48.74
May not seem great, but I did get another $50 BP gas card (not pictured).

4 bags Fast Fixin' Chicken -- BOGO -- $5.99 for 2
Used 4 $1 printable coupons
Used 4 $1 Publix coupons from Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids
Paid: $1 each, or $3.98 for all 4!

4 A&W rootbeer 12-packs -- 3 for $11, get the 4th free
no coupon
Paid: $11 for all 4!

2 Wishbone salad dressings -- BOGO -- $2.97 for 2
Used 2 $.75 printable coupons
Used $.75 Publix Coupon from Multiply Your Meals and Savings
Paid: $.36 each or $.72

nearly 9 lb. whole sirloin tip -- $2.39 per lb.
Had the meat counter clerk cut it into 3 big pieces for our Sunday dinner roasts.
(Thanks, Dave, for the tip on that!)
Paid: $21.46

1 Yoplait Greek yogurt -- $1
Used FREE coupon
Paid: FREE!

9 assorted greeting cards -- $.99 each
Used 3 $2/3 coupons from the tearpad in the card aisle
Paid: $2.91 for all 9!

$50 BP gas card
Used $10 in-ad coupon
Paid: $40

I don't know if I have enough room left in my pantry/freezer to handle another trip to Publix, although I really want one more BP card so that our gas for vacation is completely covered. I suppose I can find a little more space. It's for a good cause.

Don't Miss This!

Have you ordered from thecouponclippers yet? I placed an order on Sunday afternoon; the coupons shipped from Dade City on Tuesday, and I received them on Thursday. I hit Walgreens last night, and even though I didn't find everything I wanted, I still saved $50 or more! I didn't do a post about that trip, but here are some of the things I got:

2 Vicks waterless plug-in vaporizers and 2 refill packs -- $5 each
2 boxes of Puffs tissues -- $2.39 and $2.49
Total cost at Walgreens: over $24
Used 4 $1.50 coupons from thecouponclippers
Used 2 Buy-2-Vicks-Products-get-tissues-free coupons from thecouponclippers
Paid: $14 for 4 Vicks products and 2 Puffs tissues
RR generated: $10

Colgate total toothpaste -- $3.99
Used $1 coupon from thecouponclippers
Paid: $2.99
RR generated: $3.99

Just a couple examples there of how thecouponclippers can make money for you! I spent under $6 on coupons this week, and saved at least 3 times that thanks to those coupons. And I still have plenty to use! (Hopefully I will unearth myself from my mountain of work for long enough to make another run!)

Click on the link to the right of this post and order yours. There are often deals on Nyquil/Dayquil and Gillette products at Walgreens and CVS, and sometimes at Target, too. These would be good coupons to stock up on, if you want to try thecouponclippers out. Just pay attention to the expiration date. You don't want to buy 25 of a coupon that expires in 2 weeks!

March Mission -- Day 20

Guess What???

No Sonic yesterday!

Even after the burned dinner, I managed to hold on to reason.

Here's the rundown for today (so far):

Breakfast:

Tupua family traditional Chik-fil-a breakfast -- nearly $20

Lunch:
Frozen pizza -- $1

Frozen popcorn shrimp -- $.59

Fresh strawberries -- $1

Chips -- $1

I haven't made lunch yet, but it's going to have to be these convenience foods because I have a MOUNTAIN of school work to get done before 7:30 Monday morning.

Dinner:

Probably more of the convenience foods from lunch, and Daddy may have to do it all. I have to leave the house and go somewhere else to work. Just too many cute distractions to deal with here. By 2:00, I should be at the Whataburger near PCA. If you stop by, I'll be easy to find; I'll be in the corner booth with piles of work around me. If I look like I am perishing, just refill my diet coke for me, and I'll be fine. :) I will probably have Whataburger food for dinner.

No savings realized today, I don't think.

I did some reading of my own blog posts, and I really think that we have passed that $200 savings mark. There are several days about which I didn't post but that were successful in our mission. So, for the sake of keeping track of our savings, and in an effort to not inflate said savings, I have determined that, as of 3/20, we have saved $200 this month. March Mission posts from here on through the rest of the month will build on that number.

Hmm, what name might I use for a similar April mission? April Avoidance? (That sounds like some kind of mental illness.) April Attack? (Too violent. Or sounds like an allergic condition.) No Dining Out April? (Borrowing from Kristin at couponingtodisney.com with that one. Not alliterated, and I like alliterated.) Ideas?

,

Saturday Savings, 3/20 -- Publix

Okay, somebody's been reading the smart shopping blogs. I went to Publix this morning and several of the things I wanted to get were completely gone. ggrrr. It's a good thing we have more than one Publix close by so I can try another.

Here's how we did today:

8 Mueller's Whole Wheat penne pasta -- B1G1 $1.29 for 2
Used 8 $.55 printable coupons
Paid: $.10 each or $.76 total!

4 Wanchai Ferry frozen meals -- $7.99
Used 4 $1.50 manufacturer coupons
Used 4 $2 Publix coupons from the Yellow Advantage flyer
Paid: $4.49 each or $17.96
(Kind of a lot, I know, but I've been wanting to try these for a while. We'll have to make 2 meals to feed our whole family, which will make a dinner meal cost at least $9.00. Ouch. But as a treat for Mommy to have the convenience of the ready-made meal, it's worth it to me. PTM is coming up, after all!)

2 Buddig Honey Ham lunch meat -- on sale 2 for $4
Used 2 $1 printable coupons
Used 2 $1 Publix coupons from Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids
Paid: 2 for FREE!

BP Gas card -- $50
Used $10 coupon from the weekly ad
Paid: $40

Scotties tissues -- on sale $.99
Used $1 printable coupon for becoming a fan on Facebook
Total: FREE! plus $.01 overage!

Sundown vitamin B -- $3.99
Sundown calcium -- $3.99
Used $3 manufacturer's coupon
Used $6/2 Publix coupon from Green Advantage flyer
Paid: FREE! plus $1.02 overage!

2 Lance cracker multi-packs -- B1G1 $2.89 for 2
I must have done something wrong, because mine didn't ring up at B1G1 and I just now noticed. Maybe one of the items we got wasn't Lance? I'll have to check the pantry.
Used $1 printable from smartsource.com
Should have paid: $1.89 for 2
Paid: $4.98 for 2

9 assorted Hallmart cards -- $.99 each
Used 3 $2/3 tearpad coupons (good through 5/10)
Paid: $.33 each or $2.91 for all 9!

Total before coupons, but after store sales: $115.73
Total after coupons: $66.33!
Percent of decrease: 43%
Not as good as we'd normally like, but remember that we came away with $50 in BP gas! I'm going to store that away for vacation -- Hurray! We can drive to Disney without paying anything else out of pocket!

March Mission -- Day 19

Grr. I just burnt dinner. I don't know if I'll be able to stick to the March Mission today.
And it was going to be so good. I made taco rice with stew meat cut into smaller bits. I left the meat cooking so I could check something on the web. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was smelling burned dinner.
I may need some Sonic. (At least we have coupons!)

So far, here's how the day is stacking up:

Breakfast:

Jimmy Dean D'Lites for the grown ups -- $1.00
Frusion yogurt smoothies for the kiddos -- $.36
a couple muffins left over from the 2 batches I made for my students -- $.60?

Lunch:

School/Work -- no cost

Dinner:

taco rice -- $3.00?
Meat: free thanks to the overage at Publix when I used the Knox coupon
Rice: around $.50
Cheese: been in the freezer for a while, not sure how much I paid for it $.75
Veggies: $1.00 ish
Sauce: pennies

Sonic: ?? :)

March Mission -- Day 18

We've really done well this week, even though I haven't posted every day.
We did eat out -- just Talani and me -- after PTM on Monday. That was a nice treat.
That's the only meal we've eaten out this week!
Here's how the 18th went:

Breakfast:

Jimmy Dean D'Lites sandwiches for the grownups -- $1.00
Bought these on sale and with coupons last week at Publix. I'm glad we stocked up. They were $2 per box, and there are 4 sandwiches in a box. They are so convenient and SO tasty. They really have kept me out of Whataburger this week!

Frusion yogurt smoothies for the kiddos -- $.36
Also bought on BOGO sale, with both Publix coupons and manufacturer coupons. They usually go for $3.49 per 4-pack. We paid $.72 for a 4-pack!

Lunch:

School/work -- thanks PCA/PCC -- $0.00

Dinner:

Hamburger Helper -- $1.00
Ground beef -- $1.89
Fresh strawberries -- $1.25

Total for the day: $5.50!
A savings of at least $17.50!

I've lost track of the month, but we're nearing the $200 if we haven't made it there already.
This challenge has been so good for our family!

March Mission -- Day 16

I can hardly believe it's the 16th already! Where has the month gone? We are almost done with the first quarter of 2010! What?!?!

We've done well over all. I will admit that my husband took me out for dinner last night. We've gone out, just the two of us, more lately than since before we had kids! We spent $25 on dinner.

Here's the rundown for today:

Breakfast -- at home, Jimmy Dean D-Lites for the grown ups and Yogurt smoothies for the kiddos. Both were bought at Publix on sale and with coupons. The Jimmy Dean sandwiches (which really help me not to miss Whataburger) cost us about $.50 each. The yogurt smoothies cost us about $.18 each! So, breakfast cost $1.36!

Lunch -- at school/work. Nothing major out of pocket. I did make Dianna's lunch today, costing about $.40.

Dinner -- at home -- Hamburger helper -- about $3.50, maybe less.

Snack at ballgame (Go, Phillies!) -- crackers, cheese, and cookies -- about $1.50.
Total spent today: $6.76 for the day!

On a typical Tuesday, we likely would have spent $23 or more eating out. So, we saved around $16 today!

March Mission -- Day 13

Breakfast -- our traditional Chik-fil-a breakfast -- nearly $20
Lunch -- Whataburger for the guys working in the yard -- not quite $15
Dinner -- Chili and pasta (such a frugal choice! I cooked the beans a while back and had them in the freezer; they cost less than $.60. The ground beef was $1.89. I made my own chili seasoning, so that cost only a few pennies. I used 3 small cans of Hunt's tomato sauce that I got with coupon. I think I paid $.27 for all 3. I bought the pasta with a coupon, too, but don't remember what I paid for it. Couldn't have been more than $1.50, I guess. And I made a TON of chili!)
Still doing okay compared to our old habits. (Only 5 meals out this month so far.) We hadn't planned on lunch out today, but I'm so pleased with what Talani and Chad got done in the yard, I'd buy them lunch every Saturday for a month! Shhh! Don't tell them I said that!

Saturday Savings -- Publix, 3/13

Paid: $30.08
Saved: $45.95
Saved: 69%

6 boxes Jimmy Dean D-Lites breakfast sandwiches (4 ct.) -- $5.99 each
Sale: BOGO (so, $5.99 for 2 boxes)
Used 6 $1/1 from the 3/7 SS (may have been 3/7 RP)
Paid: $2 per box, or $12 for all 6 boxes!
That's just $.50 per sandwich! Much better than Whataburger's price!

1 Jalapeno Cheddar Heluva Good dip -- $2
Used FREE coupon received in the mail (a Facebook freebie)
Paid: FREE!

4 Frusion smoothie 4-pks. -- $3.49 each
Used Publix BOGO coupon from the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids coupon booklet
Used 4 $1/1 coupons from (??)
Paid: $.75 each or $3 for all!
That's less than $.20 per smoothie!

6 Weight Watchers yogurt cups -- $.70 each
Used 3 Publix BOGO coupons from Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids booklet
Paid: $.35 each or $2.10 for all 6!

3 lb. yellow onions -- $2.99
no coupon, but needed for our traditional Sunday pot roast
Paid: $2.99

1 box Chocolate Cheerios -- $4.09 (yikes! that's a lot!)
Used $.50 Publix coupon (don't remember where I got that coupon)
Used $1 coupon from (?)
Paid: $2.59 -- a LOT for a box of cereal, but I've been wanting to try this since it came out.

1 box Dunkin Hines brownie mix -- $1.99
no coupon, gave in to the urge for brownies
Paid: $1.99

1 box Publix brand Triscuit-like cookies -- $2.49
no coupon, but I needed something because I was feeling ill
Paid: $2.49

3 3-lb. bags Rico rice -- $.99 each
no coupon
Paid: $.99 each, or $2.97 for all three
Is this a good price for rice? I've bought this several times now, but I haven't compared the price to Sam's or any other store.

Considering how many items I bought without a coupon, I think this was a pretty good trip.

A Surprising Discovery

I love to talk about couponing with my students. They are so cutely supportive. In fact, the name of this blog is loosely based on a student comment. As I was sharing the concept of couponing and smart shopping with my students very early on in my couponing experience, a student made an under-the-breath comment to a neighbor, "Cheapskate." I answered, "No, I've just decided that I want to decide where to spend money instead of HAVING to spend money. I'd rather have more for Disney! If that makes me a cheapskate, I'll gladly wear that badge!" (Yes, I also share my passion for Disney World with my beloved students.) Thus, Adventures of a Wannabe Cheapskate was born.
Today, a student -- I think it was the same one who inspired my blog title -- asked how many coupons I'd used over all. Well, I hadn't thought of that. I gave my best guess: hundreds. As I thought about it, I realized that I had used 40 Knox coupons, 20 Beech Nut coupons, and so many multiples of others, that I must have used well over 200 coupons in just the 12 or so weeks since I started couponing. I quickly estimated that I have saved over $1,000 in those weeks through couponing. My latest CVS receipt states that I have saved over $425 this year there. I know I saved over $110 using the Knox coupons at Walmart and Publix. I got $10 worth of vitamins free this week. I got $10 worth of toothbrushes and $60 worth of Motrin for free last week at Walgreens. At LEAST $1,000 of savings!
I just really enjoyed that realization today.

March Mission -- Day 11

I am so thankful for this challenge! We have saved so much and it hasn't been too difficult. (Although I will admit to salivating yesterday just thinking of the chips and salsa as we drove by La Hacienda.)

Here's the rundown for today:
Breakfast: at home -- saved at least $5
Lunch: school/work
Dinner: at home -- saved at least $10

This brings our savings for the month to $107!
We are still planning on going out for our date tomorrow.
And still planning for our traditional Saturday breakfast with the kids at Chik-fil-a.
It's just amazing how much we've saved. (I have been estimating our savings on the lower side. I didn't want to inflate my recordings here. I estimated that our cheapest breakfast at Whataburger cost around $9 for the family, and that our cheapest dinner at Steak n Shake with coupons cost around $15. Then, I figure our grocery spending and subtract from that lowest eating out price to find our minimum savings. So that $107 is the lowest possible savings we've realized this month.)