grocery totals this week

I have been to HT 4 times and BL 4 times.

Spent: $100.89 + $3.96 buying coupons = $104.85
Saved: $272.54
Total: $373.34

That is a 73% savings on groceries this week. Whew.

I will not need to buy juice boxes or condiments (BBQ sauce, mustard, sour cream, mayonaise, salad dressing, marinade, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce) or staples like rice, pasta and pasta sauce for months. literally. We are stocked up on a lot more things as well.

ETA: I went back to BL again Monday morning, so I updated my totals.

triples report, Day 5

Went to Bi-Lo this morning after early church.

Total: $31.63
Spent: $8.54
Saved: $23.09

the biggest bargain tip I’ve got

I was thinking about this bargain hunting business … I’m part of several message boards (some regional, some local, some national) and there are always threads on things like “what’s your best bargain tip?” or “what do you do to save money?” and I have never had enough nerve to post it, but I honestly think what saves me the most money is Self Esteem. I am happy with who I am. I don’t wear make up (huge money-saver right there) or need to have the latest fashions for myself or my kids (I can shop at WM or Goodwill without shame or guilt). I don’t want a fancy car or house; I don’t need the latest electronic gadget or gizmo (although I will confess to drooling over them as far as admiring what they can do, I certainly don’t covet them for myself all that much). Except for foreign travel/airfare, I have relatively inexpensive hobbies (scrapbooking, crafts, gardening, etc.). I think that helps me save money more than anything. There are a myriad of ways to spend your money out there in the world, and I’m completely unimpressed by most of them.

triples report, Day 4

I couldn’t resist. I went back to Harris Teeter this morning for one last time. Learning I can use all competitor coupons there has changed my life. I used several from Food Lion, a $10 off $35 from Bloom, and my Wags $10 RR.

Total: $51.21
Spent: $10.55
Saved: $40.66

Getting $50 worth of groceries for ten bucks is so much fun! I was walking around the store wondering how I could get my total up to $35. I’ve never tried to spend more money at the grocery store before. I even got two London Broil steaks that were the hormone-free beef!

triples report, Day 3

I went to HT one more time this morning. I found out that you can use Walgreens’ Register Rewards to pay for groceries at HT. Whoo hoo! I used a $10.00 on this trip.

Total: $34.61
Spent: $1.09
Saved: $33.52

triples report, Day 2

Made 2 trips to Harris Teeter this morning so as not to exceed the coupon limit.

Trip 1
Total: $90.61
Spent: $26.67
Saved: $63.94

Trip 2
Total: $77.17
Spent: $32.94
Saved: $44.23

I also went to Food Lion and then dropped by Bi-Lo again.

I am tired of grocery shopping.

triples report, Day 1

Went to Bi-Lo twice today.

Trip 1
Total: $35.82
Spent: $11.89
Saved: $23.93

Trip 2
Total: $17.45
Spent: $4.81
Saved: $12.64

highlights:
free Cattleman BBQ sauce
free McCormik Grill Mates marinade mixes
free Ortega taco seasoning packets
Digiorno Pizza for 1 – $0.25 each
box of brown sugar for $0.20
8pack of Juicy Juice juice boxes – $0.25 for each 8pack
Mitchum deoderant – $1.34 each (T loves that stuff and, seriously, one thing will last him a year; I got him 3!)

even more triples

Now I find out that Bi-Lo is doing triple coupons. All week! and since their everyday prices are much lower than HT’s, there will surely be some good deals there. I think my brain hurts from all this couponing and grocery shopping planning. I also think I might need an extra refrigerator and freezer.

Triples are coming! Triples are coming!

Harris Teeter is doing triple coupons at the end of this week. They run this 3-day promotion every 2-3 months where they triple coupons that are valued up to $0.99. You can use 20 coupons per transaction, and you can make 5 trips per day (you are tracked by your VIC card). I usually save 50% more than I spend; it’s amazing and a good time to stock up. I think I’m almost ready! I have culled out all my $0.75and $0.55 coupons. I made a blinkie run through another grocery store (to pick up coupons from the little blinkie machines that are manufacturer’s coupons and can be used in any store). I have scoured the advance ad (you can get sneak peaks at certain places online) and matched up coupons with items that will be on sale. I even went to the trouble of buying some coupons on ebay (never done that for Triples before). Last night I had a coupon swap with one friend, and tonight I’m doing another with someone else. I have enough coupons to do 4 trips already. I’m going to get juice boxes (we only use them when we aren’t at home, so they will be great this summer to take to the pool or on picnics, etc.) for $0.68 an 8pack, which is good considering their regular price is $3.49, and they go on sale for $2.49. They will actually be $0.24/pack with the coupons, but I have to factor in that I bought those coupons. I love Triples!!

grocery bargains

Just got back from Harris Teeter; spent $28 and saved $40. Peter Pan peanut butter (18oz.) is on sale 10 for $10. With the $1 off coupon floating around, that makes it FREE! Wishbone salad dressing is also $1.00/bottle. With the $1/2 coupon from Valassis (1/13), that makes it $0.50/bottle. I bought 6 bottles this morning. Valley Fresh canned chicken is also 10 for $10 (the tiny size, 5oz I think). I had a coupon for $0.65/2 and it doubles, making it worth $1.30/2. Since 2 cans only cost $2.00, I got the chicken for $0.35/each can. I had two coupons, so I got 4 cans. Amazing deals!