A Few Good Deals

My grocery shopping trip this week was pretty average --mostly a few items we needed or were nearly out of. (My apologies that there are no interesting pictures of what I bought. In a typical UnfinishedMom moment, I deleted them from the camera before I'd saved them on the hard drive! Ugh.)

Anyway, amongst the average purchases were a few really good deals:

#1 - Safeway (good through Oct 6, 2009)

Raisin Bran (20 oz) and Fruit Loops (12.2 oz) are on sale for $1.49/box when you buy 5.
I used 2 $2.00/2 coupons from the 08/30/ RP insert and 1 $1.00/1 blinkie coupon (found it at the store.)
I paid $0.49/box for 5 boxes of Fruit Loops.
Whoo Hoo.

#2 Martin's (good through October 3, 2009)

Nestle Toll House Morsels (12 oz) are on sale for $2.09/bag (unadvertised sale)
I used 3 $0.50/1 coupons from the 09/13/09 RP insert.

I paid $1.09/bag of Nestle Toll House Morsels. (really wish I had more of these coupons)

Birds' Eye Fresh Frozen Select Vegetables are on sale for $0.60/each (limit 10).
I used 5 $1.00/2 coupons from the 09/13 SS insert.
I paid $0.19/each for 10 Birds Eye Fresh Frozen Select Vegetables.

Whoot. Whoot.

Yes I was doing the happy dance when I got home!

Free Bacon - Really I did it!

Last week I posted about the great bacon coupon that is available at Smithfield (click here) and the possibility of free bacon. Then we ran into a few problems along the way with the coupon policies of various stores.

Well, this week I found a store that really did accept the coupon. I even got a little overage. I went to Martin's for a few things to finish out my groceries for the week and while I was there I checked out the bacon prices. Martin's has bacon on sale BOGO this week, normally it's $4.99/lb.

I bought 2 lbs. of bacon and used 2 coupons from Smithfield. When I checked out, both coupons worked without a hitch. I even got the overage. So I got $6.00 off of $4.99/2 lbs of bacon. That's $1.01 overage applied to the produce I purchased.

Yes, I am a happy camper (doing the happy dance!!)

If you don't have Martin's in your area, check out Giant. Martin's is an affiliate of Giant. You will need a Martin's loyalty card to make this deal work.

Directions on how to get your coupon:

1. Be sure you have software to print coupons. If you don't have the software, go here or here and you should be able to download the software - it enables you to print the bar codes. The software is free and has never interfered with any other program on our computers. (Hubby, the computer geek, would not let me use it if it did!)
2. Go to the Smithfield website and click on "sign up" (top of the webpage).
3. Complete the Member Services Registration.
4. When finished it should prompt you to print your coupon. You can hit the back button of your browser to print it twice.

Personally, I love Smithfield bacon, especially the Maple Flavored bacon (and no, no one is giving me anything to say that!).

Now, Go. Get your coupons. Get free bacon. For Real. Go. Now.

Bargain Meal - Martin's 6/22/09

Each Monday, 5 Dollar Dinners hosts a Bargain Meal of the Week round up. Frugal Shoppers all over the blogosphere post a menu plan using the items that are on sale for the week at their local grocery store.

Good deals @ Martin's this week include:
80% Lean Ground Beef - $1.69/lb (a stock up price in my book)
Pork Chops - $1.79/lb
Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks - $0.99/lb
Pork Shoulder Roast - $0.99/lb

Green Beans - $0.99/lb
Cantaloupe - $2.00/each
Russet Potatoes - $1.99/5 lbs
Red or Green Seedless Grapes - $1.89/lb (not the best, but okay)
Celery & Carrots are usually about $1.00/lb or less as well

Here's my Bargain Meal from Martin's the week of June 21-27, 2009

Hamburgers, Cantaloupe chunks, Carrot Raisin Salad or Roasted Green Beans

Hamburgers on the grill = $2.69
4 hamburgers (1/4 lb each) - $1.69
Buns (bought on sale previously) - $0.50
other toppings = ~$0.50

Carrot Raisin Salad = $1.70
1 lb @ $1.00/1 lbs = $1.00
Pineapple = ~$0.50
raisins, mayonaise, sugar = $~0.20

Cataloupe = $1.00
Jumbo Cantaloupe on sale 2/$4.00
½ of one cantaloupe = $1.00

Total cost $5.39 for 4 = $1.34/person

The goal is a meal for 4 for $5.00, but this comes pretty close. Other possible side dishes from this week's sales include:

Do you shop at Martin's? What are you making from this week's sales?

If Martin's isn't your store you can visit 5 Dollar Dinners to find other bargain meals.

Bargain Meal - Martin's 6/8/09

Each Monday, 5 Dollar Dinners hosts a Bargain Meal of the Week round up. Frugal Shoppers all over the blogosphere post a menu plan using the items that are on sale for the week at their local grocery store.

Here's my Bargain Meal from Martin's the week June 7-13 for a family of 4:

Parmesan-Crusted Porkchops, Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes, Cantaloupe chunks

Parmesan-Crusted Porkchops = $4.07
2 porkchops* (~2 lbs) @ $1.79/lb = $3.58
1/3 C Parmesan cheese = ~$0.30
1 egg @ $0.09
1/2 cup homemade bread crumbs w/ seasonings = $0.10

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes = $0.60
1 lb @ $1.99/5 lbs = $0.40
Butter/Sour Cream Topping = ~$0.20

Cataloupe = $1.00
Jumbo Cantaloupe on sale 2/$4.00
½ of one cantaloupe = $1.00

Total cost $5.67 for 4 = $1.42/serving

* 2 porkchops is usually enough protein for 4, you just need to share.

The goal is a meal for 4 for $5.00, but this comes pretty close. Other possible side dishes from this week's sales include:
Green beans for $0.99/lb,
Celery $1.89/bunch
Sweet Corn 5/$2.00.

Do you shop at Martin's? What are you making from this week's sales?

If Martin's isn't your store you can visit 5 Dollar Dinners to find other bargain meals.

Bargain Meal - Martin's 6/1/09

I'm trying something new today and we'll see how it goes.

Each Monday, 5 Dollar Dinners hosts a Bargain Meal of the Week round up. Frugal Shoppers all over the blogosphere post a menu plan using the items that are on sale for the week at their local grocery store.

Here's my menu from Martin's this week for a family of 4:
Honey Garlic Chicken, Corn on the Cob & Roasted Green Beans

Honey Garlic Chicken
2 lbs @ $0.88/lb = $1.77
(not the best price, but still pretty good)
Spices ~ $0.40

Corn on the Cob
4 ears @ $5/$2.00 = $1.60

Roasted Green Beans
1 lb @ $1.49/lb = $1.49
Seasonings & spices = ~$0.20
(In this recipe I often use pecans or walnuts that I've bought on a good sale or leave them out - the green beans are still yummy.)

Total cost $5.46 for 4 = ~$1.37/serving

The goal is a meal for $5.00, but this comes pretty close.

Do you shop at Martin's? If so, what are you putting on your menu this week?

If Martin's isn't your store you can visit 5 Dollar Dinners to find other bargain meals.

$40 Challenge - 1st Week

Ummm. I blew it. This was the first week of our $40.00 Grocery Challenge and I went over budget. Ugh. This is gonna be harder than I thought.

I got a bit overzelous at Martin's and Shoppers this week. Both had good sales going on and, well, I blew it.

Here's how the week shaped up:

First up, Martin's:

I went to Martin's early in the week because they had sweet potatoes on sale for $0.39/lb. They won't be that cheap again until Thanksgiving, so I stocked up - about 10 pounds of sweet potatoes. They're also the only place I can find the really large boxes of dry milk which I needed.


Total before Sales & Coupons: $41.21
Total after Sales & Coupons: $24.94

Coupons used:
$3.00/$30 store coupon
$2.00/next order Catalina coupon from the recent Kellogg's deal
$3.00/1 Infusium coupon
$0.50/2 Domino Sugar coupon, doubled

This wasn't the best trip I've ever had, but it did pretty well and I'm was under my budget for the week at this point. The powdered milk was the most expensive - $14.55 for 20 quarts = ~$0.27/ 1/2 cup of powdered milk. Real milk is definitely less expensive, but I use this in our homemade yogurt and in the hot chocolate mix I make. The sweet potatoes I've baked, mashed and frozen for future meals - just over 7 pints. Bananas & celery are both cheaper at Shoppers this week, but then I'm not sure I could use my $3.00/30 coupon, so maybe it was a wash.

Second up, Shoppers:

I went to Shoppers today, Saturday, because they're running double $1.00 coupons through tomorrow. I really wanted to avoid going to the grocery store on Sunday again, so I was determined to go. I also was fortunate to find a website that does coupon matchups for Shoppers. If you frequent Shoppers, you should definitely visit RedemptionUnlimited. I'd also checked out Gina's (MoneywiseMoms) trip The problem with my trip came when my calculator died in the middle of my shopping! I looked at it and suddenly, everything I'd entered was gone! Very frustrating. So at that point, everything was done with my leaky brain.



Total before Sales & Coupons: $90.26
Total after Sales & Coupons: $32.31 (64% savings!)
Plus: $5.00 Catalina (Post Cereal); $0.75 Catalina (Dole Mandarin Oranges) for Next Order

Coupons used (ALL coupons doubled except the free milk):
Free/1 gallon of milk (Catalina from Kellogg)
1 $1.00/2 Post cereal (manuf. coup.)
1 $1.00/2 Post ceral (store coup. - mine doubled!)
2 $1.00/2 Post Select cereal (manuf. coup.)
(6 boxes Post cereal free after coupons, Catalina and $1.00 extra earned for next order)
2 $1.00/1 Bounty papertowels (free after coupons)
2 $1.00/1 Starkist Gourmet Seas (free after coupon)
2 $1.00/1 Quaker Rice Snacks (free after coupons)
2$1.00/1 McCormick spices (pepper grinder - free after coupon)
2 $1.00/2 Barilla whole grain pasta (free after coupon)
2 $0.50/1 Barilla Piccolini pasta (free after coupon)
1 $0.75/1 No Yolk noodles, printable (free after coupon)
1 $0.50/1 Wacky Mac, printable ($0.25 after coupon)
1 $0.65/1 Clabber Girl baking powder, printable ($0.29/each after coupon)
2 $1.00/3 Dole canned Fruit ($0.33/each after coupon)
3 $0.50/1 Betty Crocker Tub frosting ($0.50/each after coupon)
1 $1.00/2 Palmolive dish liquid ($0.59 after coupon)
2 $0.55/1 Barilla pasta sauce ($0.90/each after coupon)
1 $0.65/2 2 lb/bag Dominio sugar ($1.07/each after coupon)
1 $1.00/1 McCormick spices (ginger - $1.29/ech after coupon)
2 $1.00/3 Birdseye Steamfresh Veggies ($1.33/each after coupon)
1 $0.55/1 Ziploc Steamer bags ($1.35/each after coupon)
1 $1.00/3 Jello pudding + 1/2 gallon milk, printable

Total Spent this week: $57.25
Total Saved: $73.25

I'll have to take next week's grocery budget down to $33.00 to make up for the overage spent this week. If I pay attention(!) and take a working calculator, this shouldn't be too difficult. We're already very well stocked on meat, produce, eggs, & milk, so unless something comes up when I do menu planning I don't think I'll need much.

Now, so long as I don't get sucked in by another good sale!