May 30 Budget Update

I had a great day today at Jewel, Kroger, and Meijer!

Jewel
2 Fisher Trail Mix
6 containers Seasoned Salt
8 envelopes Grill Seasoning
10 two liters Assorted Coke Products

I used coupons and wine tags on everything! My total out of pocket was $1.26!

Kroger
1 box clearanced Donuts (I needed a filler item, and these were 49¢)
8 bags Charcoal (9lb bags!)

I used $3 coupons on all the Charcoal, and paid $2.18. My tax was $1.85.

Meijer
- This was such a headache, although in the end, it worked out beautifully. But, it took some time, and quite a bit of patience!

6 Kraft Salad Dressings
6 Digiorno Individual Pizzas
1 box Ritz
1 box Wheat Thins
1 box Grips
2 two liter Cokes

Meijer accepts their store coupon with a manufacturer coupon, so I used 6 Kraft Salad Dressing store coupons, and two manufacturer coupons. For the other four, I used four manufacturer coupons good when I bought both the salad dressing and the pizza. I also used six store coupons good on the pizzas. (Confused, yet? lol I had to write it all down, several times, before I had the right combination!) Then, I had a manufacturer and store coupon for the Ritz crackers, and I had a coupon giving me a free box of Wheat Thins when I bought the Ritz! Lastly, I had a manufacturer coupon good when I bought 1 Grips and 2 two liters! After all of the coupons, my total out of pocket was just $3.63. But, the beauty of it is I also received $4 in Catalinas for buying the pizzas! So, I just made 37¢!

Salt & Charcoal

I can't believe not one person has asked me why in the world I need so much charcoal and seasoned salts!

I'll give you all the details in a couple of days!

May 29 Budget Update

I shopped at Jewel and Kroger today, and found some great deals!

Jewel
2 large cans Pringles
6 boxes Kraft Mac & Cheese
1 store brand French Bread (from the deli)
2 containers Sea Salt
6 containers Seasoned Salt
4 containers Garlic Salt
3 containers Table Salt
2 cans Olives
16 envelopes Grill Seasoning
3 Oranges
9.06# Bananas (yes, 9 pounds! they were just 33¢ a pound!)
10 assorted Coke Two Liters

I used up a ton of coupons and wine tags on this trip. I had a coupon for all the salt, all the soda, my produce, chips, and mac and cheese. My total out of pocket was $5.74, but I received a $2 Catalina for buying the six mac & cheese packages!

Jewel (2nd Transaction)
6 Kraft Mac & Cheese

After using coupons and my previous Catalina, my total was $1.00 out of pocket, and I received another $2 Catalina!

Kroger
6 bags Charcoal (9lb bags)
1 package of Cookies
2 Pantiliners
2 Country Time Lemonade

This was awesome! The Charcoal is on sale for $2.98, and I had $3 coupons good on any charcoal! The pantiliners were $1, and I had 50¢ coupons that doubled! The Country Time Lemonade was 99¢ each, and I had one $1.50/2, making those 50¢. I paid the 50¢ plus the $1.80 for the cookies and tax... my grand total out of pocket was $3.60. I also earned a $1 Catalina for buying the Country Time!

May 28 Budget Update

Jenn (http://adventuresincouponing.blogspot.com/) and I met up at Jewel today. It's always fun to shop with someone who coupons like you do! It makes finding deals, and redeeming coupons all that more exciting!

1 box Smartfood Popcorn (Yum, and only 2 points on Weight Watchers)
1 package Pretzels
6 envelopes of Grill Seasonings
1 4lb bag of Sugar ($2.49! Ouch!)
1 small box Charleston Chew candies
1 Kitchen Spoon (I had the strangest wine tag good for $1 off a kitchen utensil!)
5 26oz containers of kitchen Salt (free with recent wine tags good on any salt)
2 shakers of table Salt
2 shakers of Garlic Salt
2 shakers of Seasoned Salt
3 shakers Hamburger Seasoned Salt
1 package Hamburger Buns
1 large bottle CofeeMate Creamer ($3.50!!)
3 Oranges (yep, just three. $1 each!!)
3 cans Pears
3 cans Peaches
1 can Pineapple
10 two liters of assorted Coke products
6 16oz Deans Chocolate Milk
2 Gallons Milk

My total out of pocket was just $6.55, and my total savings was $92.03!

May 27 Budget Update

We're near the end of the month, and I still have coupons that expire 5/31, so I want to make sure I utilize them all!

I bought these items for my family:

1.5 lbs Ground Sirloin
3 Baked Potatoes (the kind wrapped and ready to microwave)
1 package Ready to Eat Baby Carrots
3lbs Apples
2.39lbs Bananas
2 bags Grande Chips
1 jar Sweet Baby Rays BBQ

I bought these, and immediately took them over to Clare House for the soup kitchen!

2 Cucumbers
2 packages Mushrooms
2 packages Ready to Eat Baby Carrots
1 package Grape Tomatoes
3lbs Apples
4 bags Grande Chips

I rarely count any money I spend on donations from my personal budget, but I totally redeemed myself from yesterday's shopping! After using coupons on every single item, my total out of pocket was just 94¢!

May 26 Budget Update

Oh, yea, this almost killed me. lol I spent $6.12 out of pocket!! I'm trying some new recipes, though, and had to buy things that I don't normally have on hand, and that don't often have any types of coupons or discounts. My savings was $21.45.

1 package Hash Browns
2 packages Diced Ham
1 package light Hot Dog Buns
1lb(ish) Hamburger
5 packages Go Pack Singles (apples and pineapple)
2 Green Peppers
1 bag Pretzels
1 bag Cheese Curls

Chicago Tribune Coupon Codes

Chicago Tribune coupon codes
www.chicagotribune.com
1-800-TRIBUNE

09JE - $0.50/wk Sunday
X581 - $0.99/wk (W,Th,F,Sun)
X516 - $0.99/wk (W,Th,F,Sun)
X537 - $0.99/wk (W,Th,F,Sun)
100 - $10 Target gift card when you use Easy Pay

From our experiences, some of these codes are geographically accepted. Some work in one zip code, but won't work in another, even if it's just down the street. I hope they'll work for you!

All Caught Up!

Well, again, I was sick. My youngest was very sick last weekend, and of course, I spent all of my time loving her, and comforting her! A few days later, I got the disgusting virus, too! lol

But, a week later, a few shopping trips in between, a celebration of my 3 year wedding anniversary, and an updated blog, all is well!

For those of you who attended our workshop this morning, it was absolutely lovely meeting all of you! I'm incredibly excited about having you all as part of our Shopping Crew, and can't wait to see you all next week for our Coupon Swap!

May 21 Budget Update

Jewel

(I really need to get to some other stores! lol)

2 containers ready to drink Lemonade
2 containers ready to drink Limeade
4 bags Lays Chips
1 box Popsicles
1 package Borden sliced cheese
9 packages Hot Dogs (for my son's class for their final field trip of the year!)
4 boxes Chicken in a Biscuit Crackers
1 package Mozzarella Sticks
1 package Kraft 2% Shredded Cheese
1 package Deans Ice Cream Bars (12 ct.)
1 package Angel Soft 6pack Double Roll

I used coupons good on "any lemonade" and "any juice", wine tags good on "salty snacks" for the chips, and I had a free coupon for the sliced cheese. I had a few wine tags left good on "any meat" and free coupons for the mozz sticks, shredded cheese, and ice cream! After using another $5 off $50 store coupon (I've been getting these from the Catalina machine after I scan my preferred card), my total was just $2.20 out of pocket.

May 19 Budget Update

Jewel

4 Doritos
4 Bugles
3 Chex Mix
3 Gardettos
2 Goldfish Crackers
1 Ice Cream Bar (6 ct)
1 bag Baby Carrots
1 package Blackberries
2 package Raspberries
6 Go Packs Apples (ready to eat Apples)
4 packages Strawberries
1 package Shake N Bake
2.45# Bananas
2 Topps Candy

I used a coupon on every single item. Most were wine tags good on "salty snacks" and the others were good on any "produce" item. I also used a $5 off $50 store coupon getting my total out of pocket to just $1.19!

May 18 Budget Update

Jewel

2 gallons Milk
1 half gallon Chocolate Milk
1 3# bag Potatoes
1 5# bag Potatoes
1 container Ice Cream
4 64oz bottles Apple Juice
2 containers Strawberries
1 container Raspberries
.88# Apples
2 containers Blueberries
2 tubs of Pulled Meat (pork & chicken)
5 Go Packs of Apples (these are little bags of Apples already cut and ready to eat)
3 packages dry Country Gravy
6 ears Sweet Corn
2 package Pork Chops
3 pounds Ground Beef
1 Chuck Steak
1.94# Bananas
1 package Sweet Tomatoes
1 package Pampers 22 ct. Diapers
2 Topps candy (only because my little girl had it open and in her mouth before I could stop her, and they were buy 1, get 1 free!!)

Once again, I'm trying to use up wine tags that expire at the end of May. I had a coupon for every time, with the exception of the candy, gravy packages, and diapers. I also had a $5 off $50 coupon which went towards the items without a specific coupon. My total out of pocket was just $5.38, with tax at $1.43.

Quiznos Q Club

Join the Quiznos Q Club and get Quiznos updates and access to coupons. I love Quiznos, and I *think* the new Torpedoes are only $4!

Special and Free Offers

This is an informational post regarding our special and free offers.

For those of you who click on the offers, they are often very quick to be depleted. If you click on it, and it takes you to a new offer, it's only because the manufacturer has pulled their original offer. So, if you're interested, take advantage of it as quickly as you can.

And, for those of you who feel it's necessary to send comments swearing at me because the offer has changed, I'd appreciate it if you'd kindly let me know the offer was pulled, so I can make adjustments on our blog. Or, better yet, if you feel the need to treat others that way, find someone else's blog to read.

Comments, Anyone?

Good Afternoon! I've had several comments come through in recent days that were "anonymous." I rarely post those, but I'm happy to answer questions. If you email me directly with your question, or you re-post with your name, I can help address any confusion or your questions! Thanks!

May 15 Budget Update

Jewel

7 bags Bugles Snack
3 bags Chex Mix Snack
1 box Ritz Crackers
1 Tombstone Pizza
1 Reggios Pizza
2 Gallons Milk
1 Half Gallon Chocolate Milk
1 package Cottonelle 12 roll double

I used a $5 off $40 Jewel coupon, a store coupon for the Cottonelle, mixer wine tags for the milk, free coupons for the pizzas from the previous freezer deal, and salty snack wine tags for the bugles and chex mix. I bought ten of the bugles/chex mix because when you buy ten, you receive an instant $3 off your order! My total cost out of pocket was $4.73.

May 13 Budget Update

Jewel

2 Hostess Individual Snack Cakes (the bulk of my out of pocket!!!)
1 Half Gallon Chocolate Milk
1 Gallon White Milk
3 "tubs" of Lunch Meat (the plastic reusable containers)
5oz Pork Chops
3 packages Chicken Breasts

I took advantage of the Fav 4 Deal (last day!), used coupons on my milk, and lunch meat, and had a few wine tags good off any meat! My total out of pocket was $3.13!

May 9 Budget Update

I ran to Jewel because I needed hamburger buns for our cookout tomorrow! I figured while I was there, and only had one child with me, I'd pick up some extras, too! I'm using up as many wine tags as I can that expire at the end of May. Due to the change in policy, I can no longer hold them as long as I want, so I have to utilize them with current sales, and make sure the extra items can either go in the freezer for later, or are shelf stable to use another time!

1 Culinary Circle Chocolate Molten Cake
1 Culinary Circle Carrot Cake
1 package Hot Dog Buns
1 package Hamburger Buns
2 loaves French Bread
1 package block Swiss Cheese
1 Mac & Cheese
1 Green Pepper ($1.39 each!!!)
1.35lbs Onions
.75lb Plum Tomatoes
5 Ears Sweet Corn
1 container Edy's Ice Cream

I had free coupons for the Culinary Circle cakes from the past freezer promotion! That Carrot Cake would have been $14.99 without the coupon! Whoa! I had free coupons for the French Bread from survey coupons, as well as a pasta wine tag for the mac & cheese. And, I used five produce wine tags for all of my vegetables. I also used a $5 off $40 order that I received from a previous order, so my total out of pocket was just $1.97 today! My total savings was $46.84.

May 8 Budget Update

I made two trips today! The first was to Jewel, and the second was to Wal-Mart. I wasn't planning on buying anything out of budget at Wal-Mart, but I realized we were almost out of dog food, so I picked it up while there!

Jewel
2 bags Munchos (those crazy salty crunchy chips!)
2 bags Tortilla Chips
4 boxes 100 calorie pack Cheetos
1 dozen Eggs
2 Minute Maid refrigerated Lemonade
1 four pack Toilet Paper
3 Ears Sweet Corn
.80lbs Onions
.90lbs Apples
1 Gallon Milk
4 Pub Burgers (these hamburgers are huge! my dh is grilling them for mother's day!)
3 packages Chicken Tenders (fresh)
5 two liters Coke
1 package Oreos (the golden kind... vanilla with vanilla inside! yum!)

Well, the cookies killed my plan. lol They were $3.29! I had coupons for almost every single other item, though, and paid just $5.30 out of pocket. Tax was $1.01, and my total savings from this trip was $54.81.


Wal-Mart
$8.71 out of pocket for a big bag of dog food!

Sign Up for Bonus Box Tops!

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May 7 Budget Update

After all of the sickness in my house last month (pink eye, bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach flu, and asthma), I finally got everyone well! Then, my 6 year old fell and sprained her ankle, so she was home yesterday! Today was the first day in a veeeerry long time I was able to shop to my heart's content! And, check this out!!

My first order didn't go as planned, but it wasn't horrible, either:
2 package of Pampers Diapers
2 packages of Pringles

There is a current Proctor & Gamble deal if you buy $20, you'll earn back a $5 Catalina. I bought over $20, but didn't get my cat. I did use coupons for the pringles, and I my $10 in previously earned Catalinas, so I paid $11.51. It's high, isn't it? But, for two packages of Pampers, it's acceptable to me!

My next trip, however, was awesome!!! I combined sale prices with in store promotions, and then used tons of coupons and a variety of wine tags I had purchased recently.

4 packages Chicken Nuggets
2 packages Fish Sticks
7 bags of Chips
5 two liters of soda (they were $1 each when you buy 5)
2 pounds of Strawberries
2 containers Blueberries
2.67lbs Bananas
16 (yep, 16) packages of meat, including chicken, ribeye steak, and pub burgers

I had wine tags good on any meat, wine tags on salty snacks (chips), produce wine tags, and even wine tags for the soda! I utilized a $5 off an order of $40 when using my preferred card, and took advantage of an in-store meat promotion where you received a discount for every four packages purchased (hence the 16 packages)!

My total out of pocket was just $3.92!! My preferred card savings was $50.03, my manufacturer coupon savings was $86.00, and my store coupon savings was $5, for a grand total SAVED of $141.03!

Kraftfoods.com Opportunity

Bent School Carnival Raffle

Would anyone like to enter the Bent School Carnival Raffle?! Each ticket is just $1, and one of the prizes is $250 worth of groceries from Retire With Coupons! Woo Hooo!

Contact me at kimberly@retirewithcoupons.com if you'd like to purchase!

May 3 Budget Update

$4.02 out of pocket for two gallons of milk

I know, not incredibly exciting, huh? But, hey, at least I'm caught up with the budget!

For those of you in our local area, I'm scheduled to be on B104 (104.1) around 7:10ish each day this week in honor of Retire With Coupons, and our outreach work.

May 2 Budget Update

My first purchase for May was for wine tags! I was blessed with an opportunity to purchase some $2 salty snack tags, and $3 meat tags, so I took full advantage. My total out of pocket, with postage, was $89.60.

I also splurged and took all three kiddos to DQ today for some food and ice cream after playing at the park. Our total cost for everyone in our family was $13.97.

April 30 Budget Update

Today was the last day of expireds at Jewel, so I had to make one final trip!

6 boxes of Pasta
2 Culinary Circle Pizzas
2 packages of Rice
1 Gallon Milk
2 packages fresh Mushrooms
1 Baked Potato (the kind ready to microwave! how cool!)
2 packages of Hamburger (95% lean, which is unfortunately more expensive!)
1 package of Splenda individual packets
2 loaves Bread
4 bags Chips
1 bottle Honey

I had coupons for all the pasta, a free coupon for the pizza which was already on sale buy 1, get 1 free, so I was able to get both for free, the rice was buy 1, get 1 free, I had a mixer wine tag good on the milk, I used two $1 produce wine tags on the mushrooms, I had a $3 coupon (wow!) on the Splenda, I used salty snack wine tags for the chips, and I had free bread coupons when I bought chips! How's that?!

After all of my coupons and store sales, my total out of pocket was just $1.98!

Free Formula Sample

This sample is no longer available.

For those of you who click on the offers, they are often very quick to be depleted. This was posted 16 days ago on May 1. If you click on it and it takes you to a new offer, it's only because the manufacturer has pulled their original offer.

Please, for those of you feel that it's necessary to send comments swearing at me, I'd appreciate if you'd kindly let me know the offer was pulled, so I can make adjustments. Or, better yet, if you feel the need to treat others that way, find someone else's blog to read.