Weekly Shopping Trip

Would you believe I am under budget this week? Well, I am! I am way excited. This is the first time in a LOOONNNNGGG time that I have been under budget. On Monday night I braved the cold and the wind and the storms to go to Albertson's to used my doublers. I only got a few things, and I don't know if it was worth it, but...

Albertson's Transaction #1 2 crunch-n-munch - $2.00 (-$1.00 off 2 coupon doubled) = FREE

1 Marie Calendars Homestyle creation - $2.50 (-1.00 off coupon doubled) = $.50

1 Nestle chocolate chips - $2.50 (-.50 off coupon doubled) = $1.50

2 Banquet sausages - $2.00

I also found a $1.00 catalina on the floor on my way in! It was under the carts and looked like it had been run over a ton. I wonder if it was a $1.00 bill if it would have been gone long before??

Net OOP: $3.39

Transaction #2
1 Coke zero - $1.50 (-FREE coupon from My Coke Rewards) = FREE

2 Snuggle creme dryer sheets - $7.98 (-2 $3.00 off coupons) = $1.98

1 Little Debbie cupcakes - $2.50 (-1.00 off coupon doubled) = $.50

1 Alexia potato waffle fries - $2.00 (-1.00 off coupon doubled) = FREE

4 cans Rotel tomatoes - $4.00 (-1.00 off 4 coupon doubled) = $2.00

Net OOP: $5.38

I stopped by Walgreen's on my way home and got a few items.

Transaction#1
1 Vaseline Sheer Infusions lotion - $6.99 (-1.00 off coupon) = $5.99

Net OOP: $6.41 + I received a $7.00 Register Reward

Transaction #2

1 Hall's Refresh - $1.00

2 Ziploc bags - $5.00 w/in ad coupon (-1.00 off 2 coupon) = $4.00

2 Crystal light - $3.98 (-$2.00 off coupon) = $1.98

1 Hershey's w/ almonds - $.89

Used $7.00 RR from Transaction#1

Net OOP: $1.52 + I received a $1.00 RR for the Hall's


Then I hit up Fred Meyer for some great deals:

2 All detergent - $5.98 w/in ad coupon (-2 $1.00 off coupons) = $3.98

1 FF Cottage cheese - $.69 (clearanced)

2 Bar S Hot Dogs - $2.00 w/in ad coupon (-1.00 off 2 coupon) = $1.00

7 1/2 gallons milk - $7.00 w/in ad coupon

2 1/2 gallons OJ - $2.00 w/in ad coupon

1 1/2 gallon chocolate milk - $1.00 w/in ad coupon

Net OOP: $16.79

Finally I went to Boise Bargain Basket - I got some smokin' deals there. They are a closeout grocery store in Boise and they have some really great deals sometimes.

2 pkgs Grandma's cookies (not pictured) - $.66

10 pkgs Mentos sugar free candies - $1.00

4 cans tomato sauce - $1.00

2 5# bags whole wheat flour - $2.00

8 cans Veg-all corn - $2.00

1 pkg Keebler cookies - $1.50

2 pkgs Tennessee Pride sausage - $2.00

1 HUMONGOUS can of chow mein noodles - $.88

Net OOP: $11.66!

How did you do this week?

Giveaway winner!

Thanks to all of you who entered my giveaway - I wish everyone could win! The winner for the Vaseline Sheer Infusion 3-pack is...

Ashley, I'll be e-mailing you shortly!

For those of you who didn't win...don't forget you can get your own Vaseline Sheer Infusions from Walgreens for $6.99, use THIS coupon for $1.50 off and you will receive a Register Reward for $7.00!

Last chance to enter my giveaway!

I will be choosing a winner at 5:00 m.s.t. today, so hurry and enter HERE if you haven't had a chance yet!

Good luck!

Ham and Bean Soup

This is a really yummy and inexpensive soup that is super quick to make. My husband who isn't a soup fan loves this. I got this recipe from The 2002 Taste of Home's Quick Cooking Cookbook. I have been making and freezing my own beans from dried and I decrease the amount of ham by about 1/2, so it is a cheap and filling meal.

2 cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained (I used 4 cups cooked beans from the freezer)

2 medium carrots, diced

1 small onion, chopped

2 T. butter or margarine

2 1/4 c. water

1 1/2 c. cubed fully cooked ham (I used about 3/4 c.)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. white pepper (I use regular pepper)

1 bay leaf

Mash one can (or 2 cups if you made your own) beans, set aside. In a large saucepan, saute the carrots and onion in butter. Stir in the water, ham, seasonings, while and mashed beans; cook over medium heat until heated through. Discard bay leaf before serving.

This soup is great served with some home made bread and a salad.

Enjoy!

To find more great recipes check out the Grocery Cart Challenge's Recipe Swap!

Leave some...take some

Remember those leave a penny, take a penny dishes/jars at your favorite convenience store? The concept is if you need a penny to pay for your $2.01 purchase, you can take one, but if you buy something for $1.99, you can leave your penny in the dish for the next person. I have taken and left many a penny using this concept.

Fred Meyer has started using this concept, but with coupons. At the front entrance of their store they have a basket that is usually full of coupons. They have catalina machines for coupons that print at the point of sale. Usually they are for products (i.e. $.50 off Ball Park hot dogs, a % off at Fred Meyer jewelers). Sometimes they are for an amount off of your next order (i.e. buy certain products, get $$ off toward your next purchase). If people don't use their catalina coupons, they can leave the coupons in the basket on their way out of the store so that people that will use them can take them.


I started checking that basket every time I go to Fred Meyer. Yes, I am THAT person digging through the coupon basket. I am fine with that. It is so worth it to check, because the last time I was there I found a $2.00 off your next purchase catalina!


What about you? Have you found some great coupons at Fred Meyer's coupon exchange?