Walmart Shopping

I made another trip to Wal-Mart for a few things and ended up making a pretty good transaction.
$42.45 (before tax and coupons)
- $18.58 (total of coupons)
SAVINGS OF: $23.87 (before tax)

Here's how I did it:
3 All-You magazine @ 1.77 each
Bread @ .78
3 Honey Nut Cheerios Snack Mix @ $1.00 each
2 Great Value Pizza Sauce @ .88 each
15 packages of Kool-Aid @ .20 each (planning a craft with these)
2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights @ 1.46 each
Tabasco Sauce @ .98
Dole Fruit Cup Parfait @ $1.78
Dora Kid's Yogurt @ $2.24
YoGo Variety @ $1.67
Nabisco Wheat Thins Family Size @ $3.48
Crystal Lite @ $2.98
WellPatch @ .97
Kraft American Singles @ $2.98
1lb Oscar Mayer Beef Hot Dogs with Cheese @ $2.50
Kraft Dressing @ 1.58
South Beach On the Go drink mix @ $2.00
Great Value Milk @ $2.52
________________________________________
$42.45 (pre tax)

COUPONS USED:
1 - .60 off Cheerios Snack Mix = .40
2 - .50 off Cheerios Snack Mix = .50 each
Buy 3 Kraft, Nabisco, Oscar Mayer get ____ FREE: (bought 15 kool aid = $3.00)
- Wheat Thins = FREE
- Kraft Singles = FREE
- Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs = FREE
- Kraft Dressing = FREE
- Crystal Lite = FREE
1 - $1.00 off WellPatch = FREE plus .03 overage
2 - .50 off Betty Crocker Warm Delight = .96 each
1 - $1.50 off Kid's Yogurt = .74
1 - $1.00 off YoGo Snacks Variety = .67
1 - $.75 off Fruit Parfait = $1.03
1 - $2.00 off South Beach on the go drink mix = FREE
1 - .50 off Tabasco = .48
(and there was an extra coupon in there but I have no idea for what @ $1.00 off)

Grand total: $18.58 before tax.


Despite the savings, it was kind of a nightmare. The kid behind the counter was a smartass and didn't understand coupons. He kept trying to act like I was stupid and that he knew what he was saying, but he really didn't. The buy 3 get ___ FREE coupons weren't ringing up correctly. He stood and argued with me for a good (and long) 10 minutes that Kool-Aid was NOT a Kraft item (even though it says on the back that it is). At first he was reading the coupon wrong thinking it said to buy 3 of this one item get the 4th free. Then I read it to him slowly and kindly that it was ANY kraft, nabisco, or oscar mayer. I told him the Kool-Aid was my Kraft item and he didn't believe me that it was a Kraft item. He said in a very distinct "your stupid" tone, "NO, I don't think it is. It's not Nabisco and it's obviously not Oscar Mayer. That's for sure. I'm pretty sure it's not Kraft because it's not ringing up." I told him if he were to look it up on the internet it would show Kool-Aid as a Kraft item. I even thought about whipping out my cell phone's internet to show him. Finally on the back I discovered that it DOES say Kraft and I showed him. So then he took his sweet time ringing everything up. I silently ended up giving the woman behind me a Redbox rental code for being so patient (since it was Monday and there was a free code available till midnight). lol Normally cashiers that frustrate me so much, I will just forget the transaction and take my business elsewhere or at least to another cashier. But I was tired, it was late, and these coupons were getting me over $40 worth of groceries for under $20! I think once the lady behind me saw that, she understood too. lol God bless those people behind us coupon ladies. ;)

Cheerios Snack Mix

If anyone has coupons for the Cheerios Snack Mix, you might stop by H.E.B. before Tuesday to stock up. My kids LOVE these and they come in several flavors. I sadly didn't have all of my coupons with me when I went grocery shopping (I was trying hard to stick to my list), so I didn't pick up any. I probably will tomorrow though. Sales usually begin and end on Tuesday at H.E.B. so I can only tell you this will work between now and this Tuesday.

At the end of one of the aisles they had the bags of Cheerios Snack Mix on sale for $1.00 a bag. I don't know what kind of coupons you have printed or cut, but I have a couple printed for .60 off and a few clipped coupons from the newspaper inserts for .50 off. That makes these 40-50 cents a bag! I'd consider that a good deal considering they're usually well over $1.00 a bag.

EDITED NOTE: Wal-Mart also has the Honey Nut Cheerios Snack Mix 2/$2. The other flavors were still more than $1.00 - so it seems unless you want the Honey Nut flavor, you should still truck it over to H.E.B.

shopping day

We are on a very tight budget for this week. I was amazed at what all we got for so little! Total spending out of pocket today: $48.70!!! (note: I skipped Walgreens because there wasn't anything on sale that I really needed this week. I knew if I even walked in the door, I'd come out with things I didn't really need so I just skipped it)

First trip was to Wal-Mart. I didn't get much. Mostly I just wanted to pick up a couple of copies of the August All-You magazine. I spent just over $6 by also picking up Budweiser barbeque sauce (with newspaper insert coupon for $1.00 off - making it like 97 cents if I remember right) and Patio burritos for hubby's lunches at work this week.

Second trip was to HEB. I wish I still had my receipt (I think I left it out in the van and it's too late to walk out and dig for it tonight). I'd love for you to see how much stuff I got for very very little. My grand total was over $70 and with coupons I got it down to $42.08!!! Although I really considered living like toddlers and eating only pb&j and mac n cheese all week, I'm glad I didn't. I got some steak, pork chops, and other meat as well as lot of other fridge and pantry items. Our shelves are stocked again and we should be able to make it through the week no problem! It's amazing - this coupon thing.

Third trip was to CVS because I knew diapers were cheaper there as well as a few other deals. The girl behind the counter wasn't anyone I had seen before and seemed like one of those who just wanted to be there for the paycheck and not because they wanted to do their job. I think she was a little annoyed by my couponing and multiple transactions. lol In fact, during the second transaction, she forgot to ring up the coupons before I had paid. She really didn't want to return all of the items even though I was saving a lot more than what I was forced to pay out of pocket. I didn't realize she hadn't put in the coupons when I paid. I was just kind of stunned when I actually had to pay so much out of pocket. The manager on duty (who was not the manager I'm used to dealing with either) just told her to ring up the coupons as an out of sale coupon because she didn't want to take the time to return all of the items either. So I basically got cash for the value of all of my coupons. I went in with just over $25 ECBs today and ended up going through all of them I think. lol Here's how it all played out:

1st transaction:

(not pictured Gold Emblem juice)

• Gold Emblem Apple Juice $1.50
• CoverGirl x's 6 @ $5.49 each
• (I see two of them at $5.99 and I'm wondering if one of them didn't ring up BOGO?)
• Energy Drink $4.99

__________________

• total: $40.43 plus tax
• used coupons for the CoverGirl
• used $2/$10 CVS coupon
• used $14.99 in ECBs

__________________

• grand total out of pocket: $1.48
• got $4.99 back in ECBs and 3 store coupons.
• (saved $40.04)

*****************************************************

2nd transaction:

• 2 - Excedrin Migraine 24ct x 2 2/$5.00
• 2 - Oral-B Advantage toothbrush 2/$5.00
• Colate Total Advanced Whitening $2.99

__________________

• total: $12.49 plus tax
• used $5.79 in ECBs
• paid $7.18 out of pocket because of not ringing up coupons
• still saved $13.87
• (then later I got back $9.50 cash for my coupons)
• used $2 off coupons on Excedrin Migraine
• used $1.00 off coupons for Oral-B toothbrush
• used $1.50 off coupon for Colgate
• used $2/$10 CVS coupon
• (I forget how many ECBs I got back - oops!)

****************************************************
3rd transaction:

(not pictured Gold Emblem juice)

• 2 - Chex Mix 2/$3.00
• Golden Emblem Apple Juice $1.50
• Pampers Swaddlers Jumbo pack $8.88
• 4 - Pert Plus 2-1 $3.69 each (was BOGO)
• 2 - Pilot 5pk pens $4.99 each (was BOGO)
• 2 - Post Shredded Wheat cereal $4.59 each (was BOGO)

__________________

• total: $30.34 plus tax
• used $1.00 off coupon for each Chex Mix
• used $1.50 Pampers coupon
• used $2.00 off one Pert Plus 2-1 for each purchased Pert Plus
• also used $1.00 off Pert Plus for each free Pert Plus
• used $1.00/2 Post cereal coupon.
• used $2/$10 CVS coupon
• used $18.99 in ECB

___________________

• grand total out of pocket: $1.46
• (saved $52.13)

*****************************************
total out of pocket today: $10.12
got back in cash: $9.50 for coupons later keyed in after sale
difference of 62 cents out of pocket!!!!


Total savings at CVS today: $106.04!!!!!!!!!!
(of course I blew through $25 in ECBs, but that's still excellent savings vs. out of pocket expense!)

Oh, and I should be getting back $5 for school supplies for buying those Pert Plus 2-1 shampoo/conditioner. I have a rebate form that was in this past Sunday's newspaper. Have I convinced you to get copies of the Sunday paper inserts yet?

walmart rollbacks

These are a few of Walmart's featured rollbacks

$1.75 Capri Sun 10pk Fruit Punch
50 cents Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
$1.50 Oscar Mayer Meat Hot Dogs 16oz
$2.00 Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Crackers 8 oz
$2.98 Popsicle in orange, cherry, and grape 24ct
$3.50 Blue Bunny Assortment - Fudge Bars 20ct, Champ! Cone Variety, and Sweet Freedom No Sugar Added Vanilla Cone 6ct.
$1.86 Kellogg's Pop Tarts 8ct
2/$5 Dibs Crunch 9oz - also, Drumstick Triple Chocolate Cone 4ct, and Push Up Sherbet Variety 9ct.

hurricane deals for you

Here's some deals that were obvious to me. As we're preparing for the hurricane, I've been looking at some foods that we can keep around that we won't have to worry about heating up or keeping cold. If you're in need... check these deals out.

You might pick up a bottle of vitamins and hand sanitizer from Walmart.
I'm not sure of the cost of vitamins, but even flintstones or generic will work. You are guaranteed to not eat as healthy so take some vitamins to help prevent getting sick.
If you go to the trial size section at Walmart, the hand sanitizer is 50 cents.

Walmart had the small bags of Malt o Meal cereals on sale for $1.
Write a letter to your local grocery store here and print $1 off coupon.
There are three other coupons for $1.00 off on this page.
You can pretty much get 4 bags of Malt o Meal cereal for FREE!!!

CVS has pepsi 12pks 4/$11 (most others have coke 3/$11)
and you'll pick up $3.00 extra bucks when you buy 4.
(you can get some baby wipes with those extra $3 - CVS has 72 ct baby wipes 2/$4)

Off bug repellant is $3.99 at CVS

You can go to HEB and get some cans of spaghetti o's or similar for less than $1 each.
That would be good if you don't mind eating it cold.
(note: pack a can opener!)

HEB also has Hill Country Fare 24pk soda $4.49

HEB has a deal to buy Guerrero Flour Tortillas 20 ct. and get a free bag of thin potato chips

I think HEB also still has the buy a box of graham crackers get marshmellows and chocolate bars free.

HEB has Hill Country Fare Drinking Water 24pk $3.79

NOTE: Most of these HEB deals end TODAY so hurry in to stock up. There is also a new sale ad that comes out today but I haven't picked it up yet and it isn't posted up on their website yet.

Walgreens has a store ad coupon for 2/$1 big roll toilet paper
also, a coupon for 59 cent paper towels

Walgreens has bags of snacks for 2/$3
• Indiana Kettlecorn, 3.5 or 4 oz.• Cracker Jack, 7 oz.• Family Time Popcorn, 6 oz.• Chex Mix, 8.75 oz.• Poore Brothers Kettle Chips, 6.75 oz.

Walgreens has dried fruit $3
• Mariani, 10 to 20 oz.• Ocean Spray Craisins, 12 oz.

Walgreens has a store ad coupon for dried fruit/trail mix 99 cents
Deerfield Farms
limit 3

Walgreens has a store ad coupon for baked beans 16oz for 79 cents
limit 3

Walgreens has a store ad coupon for Bumble Bee tuna 79 cents
limit 3

Walgreens has a coupon for Bic lighters 5 pk plus 1 bonus 2/$5
limit 4

Walgreens has a coupon for double zipper bags 99 cents
• 50 pack Sandwich• 20 or 25 pack Storage
limit 3

Walgreens has a coupon for batteries 16pk $4.99
AA or AAA
limit 3
Heavy duty batteries • 12 pack AA• 8 pack C or D• 6 pack 9 Volt $2.99 with store ad coupon

Walgreens has Buy 1 get 1 free on School Zone, Activity, Sound or Licensed Coloring Books
(they start at $1.99 and would make a good activity for the kids if you're staying in a hotel or even for the road)
Walgreens (and Walmart) also has really cheap school supplies that you might stock up on for kid entertainment.

Walgreens has 24pk Dasani bottled water - buy 2 get 1 free with EasySaver coupon.

Walgreens also had yellow rubber cleaning gloves on clearance yesterday for 50 cents.

Check here for coupons on Cheerios snack mix and Curves granola bars

Don't forget these previously posted deals:

FREE FitSmart bar printable c

FREE sammie from Quiznos
(this would be good if you see a Quiznos on the way out of town)

Get a FREE jump at the pump from Firestone
(great if you have the time before leaving town)


oh, and don't forget the regular coupon sites that might have extra coupons for foods you don't have to heat or keep cold:

http://www.coupons.com/
http://www.couponsurfer.com/
http://www.smartsource.com/

take note that some coupons will work to get some trial size items for free (like tylenol, shave gel, etc)

weekly ads (july 20th - 26th)

Dealing with a very sick 2 year old today (by myself) has drained me. I don't have the time or energy to sit and type out the ads tonight. Instead, just this once, I'm going to just link them for you to view. Tomorrow I will get back on the bandwagon and list the deals I've come up with for this week. HEB weekly ad comes out again Tuesday so I'll let ya know what happens with that this week too.

WALGREENS

CVS

WALMART

TARGET

WORLD MARKET (includes a 10% off coupon on the last page)

TOYS R US (good back to school deals here, too)

school deals

I am dealing with a very sick 2 year old today. It also happens to be a 24 hour mom-only duty day since my husband is on shift. I'll get up all the ads hopefully before I go to bed tonight, but if not, check back tomorrow.

However, I wanted to get up some back to school deals right now considering how quickly stores can sell out when there is a great deal out there. Good luck! Definitely hit up Walgreens' 5 cent deals!!!

WALGREENS:
29 cent filler paper with store ad coupon
limit 3

5 cent Penway highlighter with store ad coupon
limit 3

5 cent mini composition book with store ad coupon
limit 4

5 cent papermate mechanical pencil with store ad coupon
limit 3

5 cent Penway 2 pocket folder with store ad coupon
limit 5

99 cent Scotch mailing supplies

3/$1 Scotch Transparent tape with store ad coupon
limit 6

School Zone, Activity, Sound or Licensed Coloring Books Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
$1.99 - $9.99

FREE pilot G2 ink pen after mail in rebate
($1 sale with $1 mail in rebate = free)

FREE Crayola washable markers after mail in rebate
($2 sale with $2 mail in rebate = free)

99 cent Crayola 12pk colored pencils

Uni-ball gel pen 2/$3

99 cent 3 subject notebooks

Mean, Oxford, or Avery binders 1.5in - 3in $3.99

19 cent erasers

19 cent wood or flexable ruler with store ad coupon
limit 3

19 cent no.2 pencils 10pk with store ad coupon
limit 3

Buy 1 at 99 cents get 1 free stretchable book covers with store ad coupon
limit 8

39 cent Bic Bright highlighters 5pk with store ad coupon
limit 3

Buy 1 at $2.99 get 1 free 30pk sheet protectors

19 cents 100pk paper clips with store ad coupon
limit 2

1in poly binders 3/$2

99 cent tab dividers 5pk

2/$1 clear school box
(these are good for keeping coupons, too)

99 cent fabric carryall case

$1.99 4pk dry erase markers

$3.99 sharpie permanant markers 8pk ($6.99 value)

99 cent Penway all in one pencil set
Includes:• 14 No. 2 pencils• 6 eraser toppers• 4 pencil grips• Pencil sharpener

8/$1 pencils with store ad coupon
limit 16

3/$1 50 sheet legal pads with store ad coupon
limit 6

Licensed backpacks $9.99 (regular $15.99)

Backpack or messenger bag Buy 1 at $19.99 get 1 FREE

$5 fashion or oversized tote bags

3/$1 Penway crayons 8 or 24pk

3/$1 Penway washable glue 4oz

99 cent Elmer's glue stick

10 cent white poster board with store ad coupon
limit 5

2/$3 Puffs Tissue with store ad coupon
• 132 or 216 pack Family Size• 6 pack To Go
limit 4

(note: CVS didn't have any deals that Walgreens missed)

Walmart:
the entire store ad was similar to last week's ad but also included computer deals
see here

Target:
2/$6 3-ct. Pilot G2 rollergel pens with bonus mini gel pen, 4-ct. Expo dry erase markers, and more

20 cent erasers, rulers, pencil sharpeners, and glue sticks

2/$3 12ct no.2 pencils

88 cents 12ct colored pencils

50 cent folders

2/$3 one subject notebooks

shopping trip

There is a lot more I need to start posting with deals. I need to stop waiting till the last few days of a sale to do my shopping. Sometimes what I come out with is really awesome and I really need to tell everyone about it - but there's no time left for anyone to shop the same deals. I'll try to do better about that. Really. That's what this blog is for anyhow. It's not just about my savings - but also about getting you YOURS.

On that note, I shopped 4 stores today (HEB, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart). The total cost was $257.39 before coupons. At the end of all my shopping, I only spent $190.15! That's a savings of $67.14 (26%)!!! I also walked away with a $1.50 off 4 General Mills cereal coupon from Walgreens and $1.00 Extra Buck from CVS. That includes back to school stuff, groceries, charity items, and even diapers and formula! The best deals were the BOGO backpacks at Walgreens for $9.99 (that got me 2 backpacks $5 each). Also, the $4 coupons (fill out the survey once for bark and once for pur using different email addresses) for the Purina kitty/cat and puppy/dog food (that got me 2 bags of food for 62 cents!). Those are going to our local shelter tomorrow because we don't have any pets but was an awesome opportunity to help someone else. 4/$1 one subject notebooks (limit 8) at Walgreens. 8/$1 two pocket w/prongs folders. I also got 3 boxes of cereal for $5. Walgreens has GM Cereal on sale 3/$7 and I had two $1.00 off coupons for Honey Nut Cheerios so I made sure two of the three were that kind so that I could basically get 3/$5. And something that totally wasn't on sale, but I bought anyway was Mission cinnamon twists. They are like the ones from Taco Bell, but are Mission brand. I love Mission chips and tortillas, so I'm sure these won't disappoint either. Not to mention they were only 88 cents a bag at Walmart! I'm going to have to see if I can find a coupon for those anytime soon. :) I noticed HEB is also carrying my favorite spaghetti sauce now (Rinaldi). We used to buy it all the time in California, but haven't found it out here till now. It was still kind of pricey (over $2), so I'm going to have to dig for some coupons and see if it goes on sale anytime soon.

Oh and I finally had a transaction today where I spent less than what I saved! I'm definitely learning the right things. I promise to start getting these deals to you sooner so that you can take advantage of them too.

walmart weekly ad (july13th - july 19th)

Walmart has a TON of good back to school deals this week:

Pilot 4pk G2 pens $3.50
was 4.47
black or assorted colors

Georgia Pacific Copy and print paper $3
was 3.44
500 sheets

70 sheet spiral notebook 5 cents!
was 97 cents

Crayola 24pk crayons 22 cents!
was 1.08

Bic Cristal 10pk Blue pens 88 cents!
was 1.28

Elmer's 4oz glue or 2pk glue sticks 22cents!
was 94 cents - 1.24

Bic 10pk Mechanical pencils 1.82!
was 2.72
Get a Bic coupon here for 50 cents off making it $1.32
(other Bic coupons on that same link)

Twin-Pocket Portfolio with Prongs 15 cents!
was 44 cents

Desk Lamp $4
available in 7 colors

3-way 72" high floor lamp and reading lamp $10
was 12.84
available in 7 colors

Storage Ottoman $19
15 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 15 1/2
available in 5 colors

Laptop Podium $19
Adjustable height and tilt.
Height range 22 1/2" - 33"
available in 7 colors

Mainstays 200 thread ct sheet set $7.50
available in 6 colors
Full or Queen $15

Mainstays Reversible Microfiber Comforter $19
available in 5 colors
twin/twin XL or Full/Queen

Mainstays 30" x 50" bath towel or 4pk washcloths $3.50 each

Sterilite Wide 3-drawer Cart $15
was 18.97
clear fronts. Casters.
15 1/4" x 21 3/4" x 24"

Eureka 4 in 1 bagless Stick Vacuum $15
while supplies last

WALMART weekly deals for June 29th - July 6th

Coke 24pk 2/$10

Hebrew National Kosher Beef Franks $2.50
12oz

Bush's Best Baked or Grillin' Beans 4/$5
22-24oz

Ball Park beef franks $2
16oz

Hamburger or HotDog buns $1.68
assorted brands

Lays XXL chips $2

Hefty Elegant Plates and Patriotic Cups $1.97
20 ct plates,15 ct cups

Blue Bunny Premium Ice Cream 2/$5
56oz

Honey Maid graham crackers $2.50

Kraft Jet Puffed marshmellows 88 cents

Hershey's 6pk candy bars $2

Gatorade or G2 $4.98
12pk or 8pk 20oz

Lipton Tea 12pk $4.98
(includes green tea)

Vitamin Water or Fuze drinks $1
20oz

Tropicana Drink Assortment 64oz 2/$2


see weekly ad for more deals