I mentioned our marathon shopping trip last week, but didn’t get a chance to show you pictures. Before I show you pictures, though, I need to tell you that our van has been undergoing repairs recently, so I’d been without a vehicle for a number of days and the girls and I were feeling quite a bit of cabin fever.
What’s the perfect solution to cabin fever? Go grocery shopping! We don’t usually go to more than 3-4 stores per week but Friday night and Saturday, we were on a roll so we just went and went and went. And we had a blast! Well, at least we did until Kaitlynn starting throwing up–which quickly signified the end of our shopping spree!
Here’s what we got:
Since I just switched to shopping for two weeks at a time and was
actually a week ahead, I went ahead and used up almost all of my
allotted $80 to spend. There were such great deals and we were
motivated buyers, so I figured I might as well stock up while I had the
chance.
FIRST STOP: CVS
1 box Fiber One Cereal – $3.00
2 bags Gold Emblem candy –
$0.88 each
2 Listerine SmartRinse – $3.49 each
1 Brut deodorant – $2.89
3 CVS cotton swabs – $3.19 each
Used $3/$15 CVS coupon
Used $3/$10 CVS coupon
Used $1/1 Fiber One coupon
Use $1/2 Gold Emblem coupons
Used $9 and $6.99 ECBs
Spent $0.21 out of pocket
Earned $6, $3, and $6.98 ECBs
SECOND STOP: HEN HOUSE
3 bottles Juicy Juice – on sale $1.97, used $1/1 coupons
3 bags Chex Mix – on sale for $1.50, used $1/1 coupons
2 bags Texas Toast croutons – $1.65, used $1/1 coupons
2 boxes microwave popcorn, on closeout for $0.39 each
2 cans tuna, on sale for $0.58
1 container Farmland All Natural shaved turkey – on sale for $2.79, used $1/1 coupon
2 lbs fresh green beans – on sale for $0.99/lb
8 ears of fresh corn – on sale 4 for $1
Bags of frozen peaches, raspberries, and blackberries – on sale for $1.77 each
1 bag frozen blueberries – on sale for $2.49
1/2 gallon organic whole milk from a local farm – $3.19
1 package English muffins – $0.85
Yoplait kids drinkable yogurt (6-pk) – on sale for $2.48, used $1/1 coupon
YoPlus yogurt (4-pk) – on sale for $2.17, used $1/1 coupon
Total: $35.48 (saved $29.06 with store sales and coupons)
THIRD STOP: WAL-MART
2 boxes Kashi cereal – $2.78, used $2/1 coupon
1 box Kashi Vive cereal – $3.46, used FREE coupon
1 Kotex small pack – $1, used $1/1 coupon
1 box LiveActive cereal – $2.98, used $3/1 coupon
Edge shaving gel – $1.50, used $1/1 coupon
V8 Fusion – $2.98, used $2/1 coupon
5 cans Muir Glen tomatoes – $1.18 each, used 5 $1/1 coupons
Total after coupons: $5.71
FOURTH STOP: HY-VEE
2 bags Corazonas chips – used 2 FREE coupons
1 Deli Creations – on sale for $2, used $1/1 coupon
1 cottage cheese (16 oz) – on sale for $1.38
3 lbs Braeburn apples – on sale for $0.99/lb
Total after coupons: $6.10
FIFTH STOP: CVS #2
1 box Cheerios – $3
2 Gold Emblem candies at $0.88 each
1 Oral B toothbrush – $6.99
3 Huggies Bath and Body – $3.49
Used $3/15
Used $1/2 Gold Emblem
Used 3 $1/1 Huggies coupons
Used $3, $6, and $6.50 ECB–had them adjust this down
$0.01 out of pocket
Earned $6.99 and $6 ECBs
SIXTH STOP: CVS #3
5 boxes Honey Nut Cheerios – $3 each
1 Oral B Toothbrush – $6.99
2 Gold Emblem candies – $0.88 each
Used $3/15
Used 2 $1/1 Cheerios coupons
Used 3 $0.60/1 Cheerios coupons
Used $1/2 Gold Emblem coupon
Used $3, $6 and $6.99 ECBs
Spent $3.47 out of pocket
Earned $10 and $6.99 ECBs
SEVENTH STOP: PRICE CHOPPER
4 boxes of SmartStart cereal (our very favorite cereal!) on sale 4 for $10
Used 2 $3/2 coupons
Paid $4.75 out of pocket after coupons and sales (Saved $10.56)
EIGHTH STOP: ALDI
Oil – $2.79
2 cans refried beans – $0.59 each
Cantaloupe – $0.99
Baby carrots – $0.99
Noodles – $0.99
Tortillas – $0.99
Corn chips – $0.99
2 bunches bananas – $2.96 total
3 blocks (8 oz.) cheese – $1.89 each
Lettuce – $0.99
Animal crackers – $1.19
Total: $21.21
FINAL STOP: CVS #4
6 Gold Emblem candies – $0.88 each
3 CVS Aftershave – $2.59 each
1 CVS sharing lotion – $2.99
1 Brut Deodorant – $2.89
Used $3/$15 coupon
Used $10.00 ECB
Used $5.93 ECB– had them adjust it down
Spent $0.00 out of pocket
Earned $4 ECB, $3 ECB, and $5 ECB
GRAND TOTAL: $76.94–under budget and we got LOTS of food and household products for that! Yay!
Stay tuned for Monday’s post on the complete menu of what we’re eating with these groceries.
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How’d you do this week? Post about the deals and
bargains you were able to snag this week on your blog (with pictures,
if possible!) and then come back here and leave your link below.
I was so inspired by your website last week (first time on there) that I really worked hard before I went to CVS and the grocery store. It paid off! At the grocery store, I bought $88 worth of groceries and paid $46!!! That included organic milk! (this was a Kroger store). They double coupons so I used the for sale items we would eat. I paid .50 for boxed pasta salad, .07 for a box of rice, got $2.50 off $10 worth of poulty (bought cheap price per lb like chicken legs & whole cut up chicken). Then, if I bought 10 items on a list they would take $3.00 off my bill. Spaghettios was on that list & I had coupons also for them! There were more deals than that, but it was like a super fun game! Thanks for all the ideas!
Hi, I am amazed and inspired by your effort and ability to save. How much time do you “invest” in preparing for your shopping expeditions? Thanks for all the useful information! Colleen in Ohio
I too am interested in the reuse of the cvs 4/20 etc coupons, i am new to this thingie and actually went yesterday to CVS and was please with the way it turned out, however, I was too wondering if they track the use of this coupon to your card etc … thanks any info on this topic would be wonderful…
Oy…these make my head hurt. I want so badly to do it, but…afraid of doing it wrong! And I don’t get the paper, so I don’t have lots of the coupons. You guys rock!
🙂 I love reading about your shopping trips! We also do our shopping every other week. My biggest concern was how to keep enough of the fresh produce that we love, and I discovered Debbie Meyers Green Produce bags (reuseable.) You can get a set of them on Ebay for $12 or so, and IMO they are well worth the investment. I’ve had fresh strawberries last in these bags in the fridge for 12 days and be in perfect condition!!! If you decide to try them, just don’t put bananas in them – they turn to mush. Eeeew.
What you did is amazing. I don’t have kids but I do have a boyfriend who likes to come grocery shopping with me but hates to go to multiple stores. I have him going to two now without complaining and I’m about to sneak in a drug store this week. Getting him used to the idea…
BTW love your blog; I recommended people subscribe to it on my blog so I hope you got some additional subscribers out of the deal! Cheers!
I’m curious, how often do you buy meat? I noticed you bought tuna and shaved turkey during your grocery trips, but nothing like ground beef or chicken. Even though I buy the value packs at a discount it’s still quite an expense for me. Anyway, just curious since I did not see any photos of meat for dinners. Thanks.
Wow, you did an amazing job this week!
You find amazing deals. I’m trying to read up on your site now to get some inspiration:) I live in Ca and I feel that often I just can’t find good deals. On the $3/$15 coupons at CVS, does that come in the paper?
thanks
So my post is pretty lame compared to the others but I am really excited about it! I am just now starting out with the whole coupon+sale thing and I am super excited about your blog…it is so helpful, you just do all the hard work for us!
So my post is pretty lame compared to the other but I am really excited about it! I am just now starting out with the whole coupon+sale thing and I am super excited about your blog…it is so helpful, you just do all the hard work for us!
I can’t say thank you enough for your posts, encouragement, and ideas. Your blog is a favorite of mine and you have saved my family lots of money! 🙂 Thank you!
About the Listerine Smart Rinse: It does not have a child-resistant lid. My 3 year old got into it and drank some. I called poison control and they said just watch him for certain symptoms. I called Listerine and told them. Long story short. It OUGHT to be child-proof! It is marketed toward kids, but requires parental assistance. If you agree, call Listerine and bug them about it. Thanks!
I am in amazement that you paid so little for your Organic Milk… it is $5.99 around here 🙁
I am very much looking forward to your menu based on these groceries!!! I have decided to only shop twice a month for groceries as well. This past week I did my big shop for two weeks and managed to get everything for $60, and will have to make one more milk run before the two weeks is up, but that isn’t too bad!
Thanks for all of your great tips!
Crystal, you probably know this, but Walmart price matches. It looks like you could have eliminated the runs to Price Chopper and Hy-vee (and maybe Aldi) if you had Walmart price match, unless there were items you could only get there and not at Walmart. Well, just a thought to make it easier on you & the kids!
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Money Saving Mom here: I know this might sound weird, but price-matching is a much bigger hassle to me than going to multiple stores. Don’t ask me why, but that’s what works for me!
I don’t know how you find all these things in stock at CVS! I am so disgusted with going there on Monday afternoon to find their shelves cleaned out and all my careful plans a wash. Have you found a particular day of the week that they restock? They always just say, “we get a truck in tomorrow, so try back in the afternoon” no matter when I ask.
Great job! 🙂 You’re lucky to have HyVee AND CVS! I only have HyVee and Walgreens. Where at HyVee did you find the Corazonas chips? in the health market aisles or in the regular chips aisles? I haven’t seen them at any of my stores here, except single serve size at Walgreens and I’m not about to waste “up to $3.29” on a 99c bag of chips!
Geez, I’m jealous for two reasons.
First, your CVS’s actually have some of the good monthly deals in stock (Oral B, Brut)…my stores have been cleaned out since the first week, and they never get more (I go in the night the unload the trucks).
You have a 3/15 coupon and get to use it more than once. Do you just ask for it back? I thought they were a one-time use…or is it special?
I was curious about the first trip to CVS that you made. You said you used a $3/$15 and a $3/$10 coupon. I thought that CVS policy states that you can only use one of that type of coupon per transaction??
you’re crazy amazing!! and look at all those berries!!!
Hi Crystal.
I just wanted to mention something about that Smart Rinse that we are all getting. According to the label you are not to give to children under 6. And the doseage is only 2 tsp. If some is swallowed you are to call a poison control center right away. Also you are not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes.
Just something to keep in mind if you have little ones. This is not just a mouth rinse like regular listerine, it is a fluoride rinse, which could be dangerous.
I love your site. I only found it a few months ago, and it has truly changed my whole life around with grocery shopping (and saving) Keep up the good work!
Cheryl
I was just wondering if you use other types of meat for cooking? I didn’t notice chicken, beef, etc. I’m sure you have posted about this before, but I’m fairly new to the sight. Thanks.
Wow, you’re one brave mama to take your kiddos too! That is some awesome loot though! You get an extra award for planning and shopping with kids though! You go girl :-
Wow, that’s amazing. I love how you’ve made shopping a family affair! Thanks for the detailed breakdown.
Love all the deals! And I LOVE Aldi for all the staples you need in the home! I’m so glad they opened up here! And we just found out that they are opening more even closer to us!
I know this may seem trivial considering how well you did but…you can buy a HUGE bag of animal crackers at Walmart for about $1.50 and just keep it in an airtight container so that it lasts forever! My boys love them and I realized they are MUCH cheaper at walmart for the amount you get. I think it’s about 4 lbs. but I may be wrong. Thanks for the amazing post.
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Money Saving Mom here: Thanks so much for the tip, Stephanie! I’ve been looking for a cheaper source for these as my girlies love them for snacks. I’ll definitely check this out the next time I’m at Wal-mart! (I rarely shop at Wal-Mart, so I need to learn which items are truly cheaper to buy there!)
I’m curious… why do you go to so many different CVS stores instead of doing multiple transactions at one?
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Money Saving Mom here:
Since I shopped on Friday/Saturday, most of the stores were pretty cleaned out of things. So I had to hit up multiple stores in order to get everything on my list. Our stores also aren’t very fond of multiple transactions, so I try to be considerate about this. On occasion, my husband and I will tag team and do two transactions, but that’s usually the limit we’ll do at a store at a time.
Wow! That’s a lot for $80! I got the coupon for the free Kashi cereal. Unfortunately, we don’t like it much.
i give you complete credit! That must have taken some AMAZING energy 🙂
Wow – great job, Crystal! I can’t believe you can pull that off with two little ones – there were a lot of stops!
I have two questions:
When you say “had them adjust it down” at CVS, what does that mean? Are they adjusting your ECBs?
Do you use a calculator to figure out your total as you shop? You get so close to your budget, but so far I never see you go over – I find that I am buying the great deals, but the total is what it is…
Thanks –
Looks like a great haul! I love the thrill of getting good deals too ; )
A few weeks ago at Rite Aid there was a pad of “try me free” manufacturer’s rebate forms for the Listerine Smart rinse. I don’t know whether they have these at other places, but if you still have your receipt for CVS transaction #1, it might be worth looking for next time you’re in the store.
Yeah! I get to participate again! 🙂 I’ve missed linking up for a few weeks because of company coming and such, but I’ve been following your deals. You did GREAT this week – probably the best yet!
Crystal, I don’t know how you manage to get your kids in and out of so many stores! My kids can only handle two, max, usually just one a day. Otherwise the 4-year-old would be whining like crazy or lying on the floor and the 16-month-old would be screeching to get out of the cart and take everything off the shelves, or grabbing my coupon file and throwing handfuls of coupons to the wind.
And the strapping and unstrapping from the car so many times would wear me out!
Looks like you’ll be eating cereal! 😉 Oh, wait a minute, you’ll need more milk! Just teasing! (Wish I had room to stock up like that…maybe someday!)
You did awesome-you are my inspiration. Thanks for the super helpful website!