Thanks so very much for all of your patience with me over the last month or so as much of my usual blogging has been "shelved" for more important real-life things and a much-needed blogging break! I'm so excited to finally be jumping back into "real blogging" again and have loads of post and series ideas swimming around in my brain which I can't wait to get started on!
And, after a long break, Super Savings Saturday is finally here again–hooray!
Here's our shopping trip from yesterday:
I had planned to go to Aldi and Dillons (Kroger-affiliate), but it was so cold that I just decided to improvise when I was at Dillons and get everything there instead.
I'd also not been grocery shopping for 2 1/2 weeks so on our temporarily-raised $60/week grocery budget, I actually had $120 to spend. However, since we still have meat in the freezer and quite a bit of apples and oranges on hand, I didn't have to buy as much meat and produce as I usually do. Notwithstanding, I did splurge on a few items–like Annie's Mac and Cheese, whole wheat pita pockets, and Sara Lee bread.
Oh and I bought newborn diapers–I guess I just couldn't help myself! The Huggies diapers were on sale for $8.99 and I had a $2/1 coupon from a mailer I'd received. Plus, my ShortCuts coupon of $1.50 came off as well (wasn't planning on that!). So the package was $5.50 after coupons which is a pretty sweet deal for Huggies newborn diapers. Now I just hope that our little babe can actually wear these things and not have allergic reactions like Kaitlynn did. I suppose that I could always give them away if that happens, though. (And of course, as soon as we got home, I had to take a few diapers out of the package just to remind myself how teensy-tiny those things are!)
I also bought two packages of Kroger-brand diapers. I know, I know, I said I would never buy them again. But they were on sale for $6.97 with $3/1 peelies on them. And in this non-CVS-land, that's a super good deal for diapers. I'll probably regret it, but I just couldn't pass it up…
The Cottonelle, Johnson's Buddies, Softsoap, Johnson's baby oil, and Green Giant veggies were free (bet you couldn't have guessed that!). The meats and diary products were reduced or on sale, as were the fruits. I was especially excited to snag the blackberries for $1/package!
But the best deal of all was the Betty Crocker Sweet Potato casserole mixes. Originally priced at the exorbitant price of $3.98, they were reduced for quick sale to $0.87. However, a friend of mine had called me earlier to tell me to check the boxes on these as there were $0.75/1 coupons on them. Best of all? Our Dillons "doubles" $0.75/1 coupons up to $1. So yes, they paid me $0.13 per box to take these home. (By the way, for those of you locals who shop "my" Dillons, I left some on the shelves for you, too!)
The total before coupons and sales was close to $150. After sales and coupons? $62–substantially under the $120 I had available to spend! How I am enjoying shopping at a Kroger store again!
And if you want to know what we'll be eating using primarily the groceries shown above, I'll post our weekly menu on Monday.
—————————-
How'd you do this week? Post about the deals and bargains you
were able to snag this week or other ways you saved money on your blog
(with pictures, if possible!) and then come back here and leave your
link below. **To make it easy for everyone to navigate quickly through
the links, your link must link directly to your Super Savings Saturday
post.**
Phyllis@Aimless Conversation says
I have shoppers envy.
Hilary says
Hi there, I love your website, and I am about 26 weeks pregnant. I’m trying to weigh the possibility of stocking up on diapers, with the idea that I will be storing them for over 10 weeks. How do you balance that out? I guess if it’s a great deal… I guess I’ve been just holding myself off til’ I’m 30 weeks and then I’ll start to stock up.
Again, I had a 9 pounder last time, so it’s hard to guage of what size I will be wanting too. 🙂
Perhaps a post on peoples thoughts on that would be great. 🙂
Paige says
Love this website!!!
Marli says
great job! i love kroger…we never has such good mark-downs though 🙁
Carrie says
And if you want to know what we’ll be eating using primarily the groceries shown above, I’ll post our weekly menu on Monday.
Hmmm. I’m guessing you will be eating some sweet potato casserole.
Em. says
Nice shopping, Crystal! I envy anyone with access to a Kroger affiliate. The closest Kroger to me is 120 or so miles. 🙁
Jane says
Due Dilligence
Jane says
Due Dilligence
Nicole says
I bow to you.
Kellye @ One Moms Walk says
Great finds this week, I am very new to this so my deals may not seem as great, but I am still very excited to be saving money and still getting great stuff for my family!! This is so fun, and thank you so much for helping us all begin to understand how to be thrifty and frugal!!
sandy says
TJ anyone?
Jan says
Yeah for newborn diapers! so sweet! And I love those betty crocker sweet potatoes!
Nichole says
Well, no Kroger sale blackberries for me, or anything else spectacular either. AND they raised the price of Buddies soaps from .99 to $1.09.
cassie says
http://mrsjanuary.com/i-love-getting-paid-to-shop/
that’s my deals for today! 🙂
Susan says
I didn’t do a lot of grocery shopping this week, but I hit every Target in town (Dallas) to take advantage of the 75% off toys. I haven’t posted a photo because it’s obscene, but I have enough toys for 4-6 year old birthday parties to last for two years and whatever I don’t give as presents, will go to Toys for Tots or another organization next Christmas.
jessica says
I went to CVS so many times this week I lost track! I also got some great things at the thrift store- dress clothes for work for myself, clothes for my DD, and even a really nice book and toy letters for her!
WesternWarmth says
Welcome back to blogland. Let me assure you, when you are gone you are sorely missed! I haven’t couponed much lately but I certainly enjoy the inspiration I get from watching and learning from you.
Sarah@Fiddledeedee! says
Hey Crystal 😉
Here’s my Walmart clearance deal post!
http://fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/got-pumpkin-walmart-clearance-strikes.html
Prudent Homemaker says
I know you’re not a Sam’s Club fan, but with three children in diapers for the last 4 years, that’s the place I’ve found with the best prices for diapers. If you’re a Huggies fan, they have those, and these also have their store brand (which is cheaper than Costco’s store brand).
I have been more than happy with the Sam’s Club store brand, and they are so much less than Huggies.
~ Junkyard Jennifer says
Hi Crystal,
I know you get a million comments on your posts but I have to leave one too. You are so inspiring. You’ve completely changed my way of life! My husband as a self-employed carpenter has not had much work in the past year or so as the economy has been declining. We’ve had our ups and downs with the business, being self-employed, and in the past I’ve always felt so stressed out when we haven’t had as much work. (Even though something always came up eventually.) Thanks to your blog and all of the information you share with us I’ve learned so much more about shopping and it has eased my stress during this winter when he’s had very little work. You’ve given me so much hope! We’re still able to buy the groceries we need because of all the tips I’ve picked up from you. (In spite of the fact that I live no where near a CVS, Walgreen’s or Kroger!) Thank you so much for that!
~ Jennifer
LANA says
These are great prices for us Canadians! Zellers has great deals, but you wouldn’t want to go there to pay regular prices as they tend to be a little steep!
Honey says
About the diapers. I have used all kinds. I agree with another poster about using them at home. I took it a step further and only used them at home during the day. I found that at night the time was too long and they would soak the diapers once they got into size 3. So at night or out places I would use brand names. And at home when I could change them more often I would do the cheapies.
I didn’t get too many deals this week except I went to a DRS (Damage Recovery Services) store and the man told me to fill a huge black trash bag with packs of paper plated, cups, and bowls for $2!!!! So I did it twice. When I checked out he told the checker to give me his discount. Very nice gentleman. One pack of generic paper plates at Walmart cost more than $4! We do paper for breakfast and lunch and real plates for dinner. Because I feed 7 people and if I didn’t use them I would run the dishwasher 3 times an day or be standing at the sink all day! It’s my one real environmentally unfriendly act.
Hadias says
Welcome back to the land of supermarket savings. I didn’t see the MR. Linky but I left my link below.
I was left stranded at CVS and yet mad the best of it. $103 worth of items for only $.91 out of pocket. This was my largest Extra Buck roll ever.
http://proverbswife.blogspot.com/2009/01/cvs-trips-jan-16th.html
Amanda says
You can see my savings for the week at:
http://www.beingtheperson.blogspot.com
Julie says
Here’s my Super Savings Saturday Post.
CVS, Publix, Ingles and Bilo 🙂
http://monroeice.blogspot.com/2009/01/super-savings-saturday.html
Gabrielle Blake says
My Kroger store in East TN is not giving overage anymore. Now that I see that yours is I’m wondering if it is just select stores or what? I realized it when I was buying some Frank’s Red Sauce which was clearance priced at 77cents a bottle. My coupon was for 50 cents and they only doubled to the 77 cent amount. I was disappointed, but I know that it will go to use for our church’s chili and tamale meals.
Also, as a social worker (I keep up my license, but am a SAHM), if you do not like the diapers, women’s shelters and homeless shelters and food pantries almost always have a need for them. It is my experience that they do not mind if they are opened. Kroger has a satisfaction garantee on their brand items where you can take it back and exchange it for a name brand or get your money back if you do not like it. You might want to make sure that Dillon’s upholds that though.
Great to see this post! I love your blog and have been looking forward to more posts from ya. Can’t wait to welcome that sweet little one in the world!
Gabrielle
christina says
Crystal, you did awesome as usual!!
Christina
Nichole says
My Kroger only doubles up to .50 🙁
They used to have weeks where they would double up to $1, but they haven’t done that in a couple of years. They also no longer give overage… So, i.e., the .50 off .99 Cottenelle reads as .50 off and then .49 off on the receipt. Still free of course, but no overage.
I’m making a trip today, going to have to look for discounted frozen blackberries!
A Frugal Friend says
Thanks for hosting this Savings Linky!!!!
jessica says
I went to fry’s grocery store. I spent 55.71. I saved 192.74. I got a lot of cough drops, some reese’s whips, soft soap, dial bar soap, huggies, honey and frozen pizza’s
Tosha says
http://www.savingsmakescents.com/2009/01/kroger-walgreens-and-meijer-01-11-09.html
Heather Harris says
http://www.dimesavindiva.com/2009/01/my-meijer-trip.html
Laura says
Hi! I really enjoy your site! A question…does anyone know of a similar website but geared toward shopping at Giant Eagle grocery stores? We have no Krogers, Dillons, etc. anywhere nearby that I know of, or any of the other grocery stores that are mentioned on the site!
*******************
Money Saving Mom here: If there’s a really sweet deal at Giant Eagle, it’ll likely be mentioned here since I cover nationwide deals. For regular weekly deals at Giant Eagle, check out HotCouponWorld.com. Also, be sure to scan the posts listed on the Super Savings Saturday post since you’ll likely find some bloggers posting about their Giant Eagle deals.
Hope that helps!
(Oh and if anyone regularly blogs on Giant Eagle deals, please leave your link!)
mistyG says
great work! i like to buy the generic diapers when i can get a great deal. my kids would wear those at home and then pampers or huggies when we went to church or out and about when it was difficult to get changes in. have a blessed weekend! mistyG
Carrie says
Another banner week due to Catalina sale at Jewel.
jenni williams says
My weeks grocery savings can be seen here:
http://mom2nji.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-had-best-publix-trip.html
Amanda says
umm…is anyone else not seeing the Mr. Linky? Or is it just me?
Donna says
Good Luck with trying new diapers. I tried Luvs diapers last week on my 1 year old, but had no luck, they leaked, so it is back to Pampers for us. And, the Sweet Potato Casseroles look yummy, from what I can see. I have not seen them around here. Have a nice weekend!
Kate says
Every time I read about everyone’s Kroger posts I get soooo sad that we don’t have one nearby 🙁 We have friends an hour away, and there’s a Kroger there, so my husband actually suggested we go there when we visit! Now that’s love.
Mercedes says
great job!
I did pretty good at my grocery store on double coupon day and walked away with $60 in food for $21 and a $5 catalina back.
Then had to go to Walmart for the baby yogurt last night and other things, another $20. But we are good for the week.
Mercedes
Jessica says
I was pleasantly surprised to find the $3 diaper peelies too! And even more pleasantly surprised to find the Kroger diapers are at least as good as Huggies for my 4 month old (I think they may have revamped them since the last time I tried Kroger diapers). And if they don’t work out, they are guaranteed, so you can always take them back.
Amy @ Finer Things says
You’ve got me all excited for my Dillons trip tonight. Can’t wait to see what I can find. Thanks for the heads up on the diaper peelies. I’m definitely NOT a “diaper snob.” 😉
Amy - Cutting Coupons in KC says
Wow!! That was a great shopping trip. My closest Dillons is 25 minutes a way. I check the online ad and when they are having a good sale I make the drive. Most people think I am crazy and then I tell them how much I save and they want to go with me next time!!! Dillons is definitely worth the drive for me.
Mindi says
Just wanted you to know that you may not be as disappointed in the store-brand diapers as you think! Like you, I was a total “Pampers/Hugges snob” (and I still am, to some extent), but I also happened upon a really sweet deal while I was at the grocery store on their diapers and tried a few packs and they worked really well.
However, I will say that this was when my 3rd child was almost 2 and not wetting/soiling her diaper every 3 minutes…so the newborn size may not be as good.
I’ll still reach for Pampers first every time (and I’m hoping that my 2 1/2 year old will be toilet-trained REAL soon), but you may not be as disappointed with the Kroger-brand as you think!
FWIW!
Kristie says
Crystal,
You can find my Super Saving Saturday post here:
http://www.savingdollarsandsense.com/2009/01/super-saving-saturday_16.html
Great job by the way!
Kristie
CouponDivas.com says
I am so lame this week, however, you have inspired me to get organized and get out there. Although I did have $32 in savings according to my receipt, I wasn’t really trying.
One highlight was Harris Teeter had Quaker 1 minute Oats on sale 2/$3. I had 2 coupons for $.60 off which of course doubled so I got them for $.30 a box! Yea me.
Have a great weekend – Kitty