Deals!

I've been hard at work, stocking up our cupboards with great deals the past few weeks. I have been AMAZED by two things since I have started couponing:
1) How "worth it" it really can be to take the time to clip coupons and do the match-ups with sale items. I am saving TONS of money! I am way under budget this month, while not only feeding and caring for my family's needs for this month, but doing some major stocking up.
2) How much time it takes to care about how much you spend! I won't pretend it has been easy to get the savings I have listed below. I am truly "earning" my savings. Even though it takes time, however, I have estimated that I'm "making" about $6-7 for every hour I spend, and my hourly rate is improving as I increase my knowledge of my environment and tools. I'm refining my process every week as I learn what works for me and what doesn't. For example, last week I learned I'm not willing to do a huge "stock up" trip every single week because of the huge time investment in preparing my list.

Couponing, for me, has been VERY worth it so far. I have more to say on that subject, but I think it will have to wait for a separate post. In the mean time, part of the fun is getting to share some of my super deals, so here goes...

Rite Aid Deals

Last Week:
1 - Claratin (24 ct.) = $5.99 (orig. $22.99)
2 - Oral B Cross Action Toothbrush, Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers (96 ct.), Right Guard Total Defense Deodorant x2, Kendall Antimicrobial Non-Stick pads = $11.75 total (saved 67%) This was a great deal, considering my box of diapers, alone, was valued at $19.99!

This Week:
1- Mabelline Great Lash Mascara, Playtex Gentle Glide (18 ct.), GE Soft White Long Life Light Bulbs x4, Trident Gum (18 ct.) x3, Nivea Lip Care x2, Suave Lotion x2, Edge Shave Gel, Dryel Refill (6ct.), Febreeze Luminary Starter Kit, Bounce Dryer Sheets (102 ct.) = $10.56, used $5 UP reward from last week = $5.56 out of pocket + earned $9 in UP rewards and a $3 rebate (Original prices add up to approx. $55.)
2- Johnson's Baby Products (shampoo, wash, lotion) x5, Reach Toothbrush x3, Listerine Pocket Pals (72 ct.) = $13.92, used $9 UP reward from prev. transaction = $4.92 out of pocket + earned $26 in UP rewards. (Original prices add up to approx. $40.)
3- Pampers Big Pack (96 ct.), Oral B Toothbrushes x4, Butterfinger (a treat for Seth to boost my total up a few cents so I could use my UP rewards) = $20.85, used $20 UP reward from prev. transaction = $.85 out of pocket + earned $19.50 UP rewards and a $2 rebate. (Original prices add up to approx. $33.)

 Bottom line: For all pictured I spent $11.33 out of pocket, and walked away with $30.50 in UP rewards (not counting the UP rewards I spent in transactions #2 & #3). In other words, I MADE $19.17 shopping at Rite Aid this week, stocking up on over $100 in merchandise. (Anyone need a toothbrush?)

Meijer Deals

Last Week:
Condiments
French's Mustard x2 (.$09 ea.)
Canned Goods
Spaghettios x7 ($.10 ea.), Chef Boyardee Pasta x7 ($.61 ea.), Campbell's Condensed Soups x8 ($.38 ea.), Campbell's Select Harvest Soups x4 ($.25 ea.), Campbell's Soup at Hand (FREE)
Household
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner x4, Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner x3, Lysol All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach x3 (total of 10 Lysol products, $.36 ea.), Glade Relaxing Moments Candle x2 ($.17 ea.)
Laundry
Shout Stain Pre-Treatment x2 ($.99 ea.)
Lunch Items for Seth
Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Bowls x2 ($1 ea., I thought they would be $.29 ea., but still a good deal), Lunchables x2 ($1.87 ea. - ouch! This was supposed to be $.87 ea., but my $2 checkout coupon didn't print)
Refrigerated
Dannon Light N Fit yogurt, 4 pack x 2 ($.89 ea., or $.22 per serving), Stonyfield Soy Yogurt ($.36 ea), Silk Soymilk 1/2 gal. x3 ($2.32 ea.), Olivio Spread ($.79)
Frozen
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast ($1.63/lb, bought 2 4 lb. bags)
Bags, Foil, Storage
Ziploc Slider Bags x8 ($.14 ea.)
Snacks
Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn x4 ($.58 ea.)

Bottom Line: For all pictured I spent $59, saving 66%!

This Week:
Green Giant Boxed Frozen Vegetables x21, yes 21! ($.13 ea.)
Smart Balance Milk 1/2 gal. ($.99)
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls x2, Grands Biscuits x4 (all FREE)
Bestlife Buttery Spread [Benjamin safe!], 16oz. (FREE)
Johnsonville Smoked Brats, pkg. of 5, x2 ($.95 ea.)
Frank's Redhot Sauce, 8oz. ($.25)
Filippo Berio Olive Oil, 21 oz. ($5.29)
Ziploc Sandwich Bags, 50 ct. x7 ($.24 ea.)

I also bought 2 gallons of milk and 2 cartons of soy milk that were not on sale. No picture this week, but the bottom line was approx. $30 for all of the above ($40 out of pocket, with $10 checkout coupons good toward next purchase), saving approx. 50%.

Many thanks to Crystal at Money Saving Mom, Shannon at For the Mommas (Rite Aid Deals), Briana at Bargain Briana (Meijer Deals), and Bargains to Bounty (Meijer Deals). I would never ever, ever have time to figure out all these match-ups on my own!