Kroger trip Tuesday 7/21/10

I wanted to get a bit of stuff that was in last week's Kroger Mega Event, so I headed off to the store on Tuesday afternoon.  My neighbor graciously watched my son which was great!  I had so much stuff in my cart I could barely push it.

Yeah, it looks like all I bought was pop, but that's not true.  I just happened to have most of my pop on that side of the cart and on the bottom.  I usually do stock up on pop when it's this cheap because we do drink a lot of it.  No lectures, I know how bad it is for us.  It's my vice and I'm keeping it!  Turns out I made a mistake of 1 item regarding the Mega Event.  I forgot the coffee creamer was on it.  I would've bought 1 less pop had I remembered.

I decided to go to another store that was nearby, but not the closest.  I've been having way too many problems at my closest store for a trip this large.  If it's a quick run for 5 items or less, I might still go there, but not for one this large any more!

Breakdown of Mega Event items:

• 3 Tombstones pizzas $2.49 each, used 3 $2 off coupons.  Paid $0.50 each
• 3 assorted Snyder's pretzels $1.99 each, used 3 $0.50 off coupons that doubled.  Paid $0.99 each
• 8 assorted Pepsi 2-liters $0.79 each (got 2 free Redbox rentals)
• 3 Advils $2.49 each.  Used $2.00 off Advil PM coupons (the store let it go since they were out of the PM - it was their choice and they were knowledgeable about it).  Paid $0.50 each
• 2 shredded Sargento Parmesan cheeses $1.88 each.  Used one $1.00 off when you buy 2 coupons.  Paid $1.39 each.
• 3 cans of Spaghetti O's.  I misread the coupon and it was $0.50 off when you buy 2, so I paid more than I had planned for this.  They were on sale for $0.50 each, the coupon would've doubled making these FREE if I had read right.  Instead I paid $0.50 for all 3 which still isn't bad at all. 
• 4 softsoaps on sale for $1.00 each.  Used 4 $0.50 off coupons which doubled making these FREE
• 3 Dan-o-nino Yougurt packs $2.29 each.  Used 3 $2.00 off coupons and received a $1.50 on your next order Catalina coupon.  Paid $0.29 each out of pocket, but made $0.63 profit once you factor in the Catalina.
• 1 International Delight coffee creamer.  Paid $1.99

Non Mega Event items:

• 4 Kroger brand 12 packs of pop $1.88 each.  I had a $1.50 off when you buy $10 worth of products from the soft drinks department.  Between these and what I got in the Mega Event, I was more than covered.
• Cat's Pride Cat Litter $5.99.  Used FREE item coupon.  The cashier took $6.99 off for it, so $1.00 MONEYMAKER!
• 1 pork loin on sale for $1.99/lb.  I had the meat guy cut it into 1/2" chops.  Paid $7.88 for it.  
• 1 12-pack of Cottonelle toilet paper $4.99.  Used a $1.00 off coupon from All You magazine.  Paid $3.99.
• Dulcina Pureheart watermelon for $2.50.  Used $0.45 off coupon that doubled.  Paid $1.60
• 1 Minute Maid 2-liter for $1.79.  Used winetag to get this FREE when you buy any watermelon. 
• 1 dozen Eggland's Best Eggs $2.59.  Used $0.35 off coupon that tripled.  Paid $1.54.
• 6 Eggland's Best boiled and peeled eggs (I eat boiled eggs every day so I figured it was worth a try) $2.29.  Used $0.35 off coupon that tripled.  Paid $1.24
• Kroger cookie dough (I went to the store hungry)  $1.89
• Dannon chocolate cake mix (like I said, I was hungry... oh and TMI'ing) on clearance for $0.89 each
• Kroger Olive Oil $2.50
• 4 HAAS avocados.  I was planning on using the $1.00 off when you buy 2 coupons, but they're for the large ones.  The ones on sale were the small ones.  Paid $2.00 for all 4, which I found acceptable.
• Kroger drink mix $1.99
• Kroger butter $1.99
• Bananas $1.11
• 2 Dog food cans $0.99 each.  Used 1 buy one get one free coupon.  Paid $0.99 for both.
• Kroger AuGratin potatoes $0.99
• Morton Sea Salt $1.99.  Used a $0.50 off Morton Sea Salt coupon that doubled.  Paid $0.99
• Some fancy bread that was "reduced for quick sale" $1.99
• 1 Chevarie goat cheese $2.99.  Used FREE item coupon.  Cashier took $4.49 off.  $1.50 MONEYMAKER!

I did this in 2 transactions which is why I was able to get the coupon for the Softsoap to double.  I was hoping to do the same with the Spaghetti O's, but it didn't turn out as planned, as I said before.

Here's my receipts:

Total spent=$63.38
Manufacturer coupon savings=$36.51
Bonus coupon savings=$3.65
Kroger plus savings=$48.61
Total savings (65%) =$88.77

The sad thing is that I know there are people out there paying $152.15 for similar shopping trips.  I feel sorry for them.