Coupon Newbie One cheap Polak-Wop!

Cheap baby wipes at Walgreens

2011-08-07T22:18:00.000-05:00

I really hate going to my home Walgreens.

When I say hate, I mean hate.

Last year I lived in Pearland. I got kicked out for trying to keep my son in the shopping cart. I had to raise my voice. Other shoppers threatened to call CPS on me. Management kicked me out. Of course, I called corporate. I never heard back from that store after the incident. I also never shopped there again.

This year I live closer to Galveston. I've had one woman try to tell me that it's illegal to get overage on any coupons. She said it was fraud. I tried to tell her that it's not, according to the CIC. She said I just don't know enough about coupons. There's another lady that always works the front register. She insists on scanning each coupon as the item is scanned. Of course, this makes a 3 minute checkout stretch out to about half an hour. It's just ridiculous!

Nonetheless, I found a deal posted by Wild for Wags that I couldn't pass up. I gathered my coupons, which were $0.50 off 1, not $1.00 off 2, and headed to Wags.

I stepped inside and worried because the item-coupon scanner was the only one at any registers. No one was at photo, no one was at makeup. Uh-oh.

Even so, my transaction went smoothly. I was expecting some sort of problem with using 2 Walgreen's coupons, just because that particular cashier works in those ways. No hassle. It took $6.00 off per Walgreens coupon. All in all, I got 3 packages of Huggies wipes in the 216 count for $4.87. Awesome!

Walgreens advertised savings: $9.00

Manufacturer coupon savings: $13.50

Your total savings $22.50

Not too bad considering 1 pack of these wipes cost $8.99 normally. I scored 3 for close to half that price!

And, there's a specific reason why I need these baby wipes now. I do have a 4, almost 5 year old. They're great for quick wipe ups still! There's another reason, though. Come March, Baby Newbie will be joining us! <3 <3 <3 So far, Mom's very nauseated all.the.time. Mom's also very tired all.the.time. Nothing is getting cooked from scratch, everything's frozen meals. While it's not good on our budget, it's better than ordering out every day, and you gotta do what you gotta do especially in the 1st trimester and 8th month.

More free for me at HEB

2011-07-22T21:10:00.002-05:00

Free Nut-Trition nuts, Breakfast Blend coffee, and celery
with peanut butter. Hooray for healthy snacks!

This was free last Friday. I think they finally caught on the coffee because this week there were no more out of date and there was a huge empty spot on the shelf. I finally managed some produce. Celery with peanut butter cups. Yum! And another canister of Nuttrition nuts. This is helping my budget so much!

More free for me at HEB

2011-07-22T21:05:00.001-05:00

Free Organic Applegate chicken sausages, hard chorizo sausage, Nut-Trition
nuts, and Moo Mix chocolate milk mix.

Same breakfast sausages and Nuttrition nuts. Those nuts are so good! Moo Mix chocolate milk mix for my hubby who recently got a taste for chocolate milk, and a deli chorizo sausage. I <3 the out of date guarantee!

Free for Me at HEB

2011-07-08T20:49:00.003-05:00

Apparently this is what $30 of food looks like.

More free at HEB. I estimate this cost just shy of $30. The sausages alone was $6-$7. The nuts and jelly were about $5 each. I do wish these items were included in the "You saved..." part of the receipt. All I get is a receipt full of zeros. Wow. That's kinda cool to say. I have a receipt that states I legitimately took these items out of the store for free.

Free for Me at HEB

2011-07-07T12:12:00.002-05:00

Seriously? They left the expired rice and chicken broth on the

shelf long enough for me to get another one for free?

I think my home store is cracking down now that someone is using the guarantee. Good for them! Bad for me lol. Seriously, I'm glad it's more difficult to find expired stuff, especially stuff expired for more than a year. That's just dangerous! A few days is one thing. A year and a half is another. That being said, they still had plenty of Luzianne mix and Central Market Organic Chicken Broth on the shelf. The yogurt and ground turkey was only a few days expired but it was still expired. We're almost eating better than we did on coupons alone!

Free for me at HEB

2011-07-05T13:57:00.002-05:00

Had to take the pic quickly because I had to get somewhere.

Please forgive how much worse it is than usual.

They keep leaving out of date items on the shelves at my home store. Well, I'll take them up on their offer! Yesterday, yes on the holiday, I got some ground beef and turkey both expired on the 1st and 2nd. I also found some pouches of Minute Maid expired April 2010. Score! The drinks were great for the kids at the 4th of July picnic of went to. Used the ground meat to make stuffed green peppers with some peppers from Froberg's Farm for a super cheap meal costing less than $3 to feed 2 adults, 1 child, and leftovers for 1 adult lunch, so 4 servings. Awesome!

Eat the rainbow!

2011-07-03T12:47:00.002-05:00

It's not a huge case of strawberries, but it's still good eats!

Farmer's Markets and local farms are a great source of getting vegetables cheap. Some farms also have pick-your-own vegetables lots which makes them even less! I wish there were more of them in my area. We'd definitely go more often to help gain an appreciation of where our food comes from. It's also a great activity for tiring out kids. Lol

  As far as I know, the closest farm to me is Froberg's Farm in Alvin, TX. For a few months a year they have u-pick strawberries. Since it's about 45 minutes away from me and gas is outrageous, we head there once in a while. I lucked out today because we happened to be in the area and I begged my husband to stop on our way home. They had some different "imperfect" baskets to choose from for only $1/basket! Woo hoo! Totally jumped on it. They weren't tiny baskets either. I got 8 tomatoes, 10 cucumbers, and 11 green peppers. The broccoli was about $1.50/lb, the cauliflower was $1.50/head, the mango was $0.50 each. I also got 3-20oz sodas at $1.35 each because it was 95f out not including the Texas heat index. Paid $11 even for all of this!

Anyone know of any other u-pick ms just general farms near Galveston? I'd love to support some local businesses while getting the freshest produce available.

More Free for Me at HEB

2011-07-01T18:44:00.002-05:00

I think we're set on coffee for a good, long while.

I went to a different store this time-a newer, larger one in a more affluent community. Spent about 1 1/2 hours looking at dates. Well I tell ya what, this one is on top of the game! I wanted some chips to go with the Wholly Guacamole from earlier and I wanted to treat my men with ice cream. Since my massage place is literally right behind the HEB in the same strip mall, I figured why not check there. Found some chips out of date with no in date replacements. They wouldn't let me sub the same company's chips in the same size with the same price but different flavor. Oh well. It was worth a shot. I also couldn't get another pack of Irish Cream hot chocolate like I got last week for the same reason. Can you believe that 2 entire cases were still on the shelf dated from March? I did manage to find another huge canister of coffee out of date since March 2010 and some Planter's nuts. I've been wanting to try these for a while but they're just so dang expensive! Woo hoo! These will be great on our outing to Schlitterbahn next month.

Free for me at HEB

2011-07-01T12:12:00.002-05:00

Yup went back to date scan for more items. I found a bunch of stuff! They wouldn't allow the bacon though because they didn't have any more of that one in stock. They wouldn't allow a substitution. :( This time I watched the numbers on the checkout and this stuff would've been over $20! I got Wholly Guacamole, Luzianne Dirty Rice, Cafe Ole Bavarian Hazelnut coffee, Cafe Ole Cinnamon Hazelnut coffee, HEB Breakfast Blend coffee, Central Market Organics Free Range Chicken Broth, and Central Market Organics Lightly Salted Popcorn. Wow! I'm definitely gonna do even more shopping at HEB.  

On one hand this totally squicks me out because look at all the expired products on the shelves. The coffee was from last July. Ew. While I know some products are still good past their expiration date, shouldn't they be watching closer? It was all.over.the.store. I worked in grocery for 2 years and this would've been considered unacceptable in 1993!

  On the other hand I'm tired of reading on the bulletin boards how store managers are getting sick of customers abusing the policy. Um, get the out of date products off the shelves before someone gets sick, have your stockers do their job instead of your customers, and then we'll talk. I found all this in 1 hour with a 4yo while also looking for items I was paying for. Get it together instead of accusing your customers of abuse.

Revisiting the blogs I read

2011-06-30T20:55:00.002-05:00

OK this post has officially gotten me angry. It was beautiful... long, informative, witty. Alas, Moofie got it. (Am I dating myself with that term?) So, here I am starting over. I won't be so eloquent this time. Ah, who am I kidding? I'm short, sweet, to the point, but rarely eloquent. Scratch that too. Over explanation is in my nature. LOL

So, it's been a while since I wrote a post that visits the couponing blogs I frequent and I thought it might be useful to do again. As usual, I've added some and deleted others, especially since the advent of Extreme ~~Hoarding~~ ~~Frauding~~ Couponing. I always use Google Reader to aggregate the blogs I read since there are so many. I'd have more, but there are a lot of bloggers out there that only allow a line or two to be aggregated. Too bad. I don't have time to chase down a blog if they won't allow a full RSS feed. It may seem snobby, but I don't just sit around waiting for more deal blogs to come through. This is the reason I made sure mine will come through 100%. I didn't want to waste anyone elses' time either.

That being said, I have a number of sub-categories that I've created folders for in my reader. For couponing, I have general blogs, store specific and Texas specific.

General:

Extreme Savings with Diva Desirae
Grocery Coupon Guide (this guy is amazing! Last year he was challenged to eat for the entire summer for $1/day and at Thanksgiving he was challenged to feed the entire family a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for $1/person - he succeeded!)
It's Hip 2 Save!
Jill Cataldo
The Krazy Coupon Lady (I use her templates for my coupon binder)

Store Specific:

I Heart Kroger (she's not in TX, so she's not affected by not having doubles and triples. also a lot of her deals are specific to her area. nonetheless, it's nice to see what hidden deals may be available. I've mostly stopped shopping at Kroger since they got rid of the doubles/triples)
I Heart The Mart
I Heart Wags
Totally Target
Wild for Wags

Texas Specific:

Coupon Kristin (she has a class coming up on the 9th - hurry to sign up!)
Frugal Finds 4 Friends
Jane 4 Girls (this woman is the one who put the bug in my ear to try couponing - she called in the Roula and Ryan morning radio show to say she had an $800 annual grocery budget. Amazing!)
Katy Couponers
My Litter

One last thing.. sometimes it's most advisable to check out a Coupon Forum or two. It's especially helpful when you're about to create a shopping list and need to match up the coupons quickly. You can also get some insider information on certain stores (for example, I didn't know about the HEB Fresh or Free Guarantee before checking out some forums). Sometimes you can find out if there's a coupon hidden somewhere for a sale item that you'd like to match up using their coupon databases. Here are the ones I like.

Forums:

Got any other good blogs or forums? Share them in the comments! :)

Today at Walgreens

2011-06-30T12:33:00.002-05:00

2 Tylenol Precise, 8 cans of Friskies cat food, total $2.71 out of pocket. Saved $20.27.

I used 2- $5 off Tylenol Precise coupons from here and one $3 off Tylenol Precise coupon from the Walgreen's July coupon book in store to get they Tylenol Precise for $0.49 each.

The Friskies were on sale 2 cans for $1.09 which isn't a great price in general, but the coupon expires today and I have cats that can use this food. I used 4 buy 1 get 1 free coupon from the 3/27 Smart Source to get them 2 for $0.50 or $0.25 each.

You do have to watch when they scan your coupons. My checker was convinced I had only given him 1 of the Tylenol Precise printables. It was partly my fault for not having them separated them adequately, but I did ask him a number of times if he had scanned both of them. I think he misunderstood and thought I meant the one manufacturer and one Walgreens coupon. My total was over $7, so I knew something wasn't right. We took another quick look at the receipt and sure enough only 1 $5 coupon had been scanned. My checker was convinced I only had one, but he looked closer and found the other. Whew! So nice to see the numbers once it had been fixed.

Free for me at HEB

2011-06-29T11:29:00.002-05:00

My goofball insisting on being in the pic. He's grown since his last one. LOL

All I did was use their Fresh or Free Guarantee. At HEB, if you find something out of date you can get one item in date for free. I was there 1 1/2 hours and also bought about $30 worth of stuff we needed at home. I think I did pretty well considering. I'm glad I heard about this. I'm definitely going to use this more often!

Kroger and Kandoo

2011-05-29T14:10:00.002-05:00

If anyone is still looking for the Kandoo wipes on sale at Kroger for 10/$10, the Texas City Kroger has some. I just picked up my 4. Today's the last day of the sale so if you have the $1 off coupon from the 4/3 P&G and the $1 off mailer from Kandoo, these are free!

Baywood Foods 5/25/2011-5/31/2011

2011-05-26T01:09:00.000-05:00

Baywood triples coupons up to $0.39 and doubles up to $0.50, and only double/triple 2 like coupons per person per day (that means no multiple transactions in order to get more double/tripled unless you come with more than 1 person, their words).
They do not take internet printables.
On their "with additional $10 purchase items, it is the cost before coupons.
They also have a magnificent meat deal where you can get 5 items for $20. The meat items are different every day, so it's not something they can advertise, but it's still awesome and you can save $15 easily on meat doing this. I've asked if they limit how many deals you can get in one transaction, and it seems to vary with each checker. I've only done a max of 2 at a time - usually 5 packages of bacon and 5 packages of various other meats such as cuts of beef and pork chops.
They have 2 locations; 301 S Brazosport Blvd, Freeport and 6721 Main St. Hitchcock.

Meat

USDA Select boneless beef brisket limit 1 total w/additional $10 purchase $1.18/lb (best price I've seen all season so far!)
Whole boneless beef ribeyes limit 2 total w/additional $10 purchase $2.98/lb
Pork spare ribs limit 2 total w/additional $10 purchase $1.58/lb
Holmes smoked sausage 14 oz selected variety $2
Johnsonville bratwurst 19.7oz $3.99

$0.75/1 Johnsonville Brats, Italian Sausage or Smoked or Cooked Sausage Kroger's My Magazine ($3.24)

Eckrich smoked sausage 39-48oz $6.99

$1.00/2 Eckrich Smoked Sausage Products, Any (Excludes Eckrich Turkey Smoked Sausage) - 05-15-11 SS ($12.98 for 2 or $6.49 each)
$0.55/1 Eckrich Smoked Sausage Product (not valid on turkey smoked sausage) - 05-15-11 SS ($6.44)
$0.55/1 Eckrich Product, Any home mailer ($6.44)

Ballpark beef franks 16oz $3.29
Bar-S meat hot dogs limit 4 total w/additional $10 purchase $0.50

$5.00/1 Bar-S, Any Product. "This certificate entitles the bearer to $5.00 worth of any Bar-S product." home mailer
$0.25/1 Bar-S brand product, any home mailer (0.25)

Bar-s bologna, salami, or spiced luncheon 12oz $0.99

$5.00/1 Bar-S, Any Product. "This certificate entitles the bearer to $5.00 worth of any Bar-S product." home mailer
$0.25/1 Bar-S brand product, any home mailer (0.74)
$1.00/1Bar-S product, any - IP from Facebook promo ($0.01 money maker, if they allow overage)

Baby back pork ribs cry-o-vac $3.49/lb
Fresh boneless skinless chicken breast family pack $2.49/lb
Fresh chicken wings family pack $1.49/lb
Tyson whole fryers $0.99/lb
Whole market trimmed beef briscuit $1.99/lb
Center-cut pork chops $2.99/lb
Pork spare ribs single pack $1.99/lb
Fresh thin sliced breakfast pork chops $3.29/lb
Flanders beef patties 4lb $6.49
Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage 16oz roll selected varieties $2.99

$0.55/2 Any 2 Jimmy Dean Sausage Rolls snail mail ($5.43 for 2 or $2.72 each)
$1.00/2 Jimmy Dean ROLL sausage 05/22/2011 RP ($4.98 for 2 or $2.49 each)
$2.00/2 Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Products, any - 05-22-11 RP ($3.98 for 2 or $1.99 each
$0.55/2 Jimmy Dean Sausage Rolls 04/17/2011 RP2 ($5.43 for 2 or $2.72 each)
$1.00/2 Jimmy Dean Sausage rolls 04/17/2011 RP2 ($4.98 for 2 or $2.49 each)
$0.55/1 Jimmy Dean's Jimmy D's Product, Any - 05-01-11 RP ($2.44)
$1.00/1 Sara Lee, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, or Senseo product mailer ($1.99)

Wright sliced bacon 24oz $5.99
Delimex Taquitos 25oz selected varieties $4.99

Grocery

Kraft BBQ sauce $0.88

$1.00/1 A.1. and (1) Kraft BBQ sauce tearpad ($2.87 for both or $1.44 each)
$1.00/2 Kraft BBQ Sauce, any tearpad ($0.76 for 2 or $0.38 each)

Coca-Cola 12 pack cans limit 4 combine total w/additional $10 purchase $2.50

$0.50/1 Coca-Cola 12 pack peelie ($1.50 after double)
$1.00/3 Coca-Cola 12-pack cans (booklet) $6.50 for 3 or $2.17 ea
$1.50/1 wyb (1) Coca-Cola 12-pack OR 8-pack 7.5 oz AND Nabisco Cracker (6 oz. - 16 oz.) tearpad
$2.00/2 Coca-Cola products (any flavor, mix or match) 12 packs *offer excludes 12-packs of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero - Fresh Summertime Fun ($3 for 2 or $1.50 ea)
$3.00/4 Coca-Cola, buy (4) 12-packs, 24oz 6-packs or 12oz 8-packs. Valid on any product of the Coca-Cola Company. tearpad ($7 for 3 or $2.33 each)

Niagra drinking water 24 pk .5 lt $2.50
Gatorade sports drinks 32 oz all varieties $0.88

$1.00/5 Gatorade or G2 32 oz products, has Kroger logo home mailer ($3.40 for 5 or $0.68 each)

Parade charcoal 7-8lb $1.99
Lay's potato chips all varieties pr-priced $3.99 BOGO

$1.00 off Lay's Potato Chips, any (2) 10 oz.+ bags AND (1) pack of Hamburger Buns or Hot Dog Buns, any tearpad
Doritos brand Tortilla Chips, any 6.5 oz or larger, save $1 WYB Lay's brand Potato Chips, any 6.5 oz or larger tearpad

Cheeto's (pre-priced $3.49) $3.00

$1.00/2 Cheetos, Doritos, Ruffles, Fritos, or Sabritones, any combination of (2) 7oz. or larger bags, TX residents only, of legal drinking age ($5.00 for 2 or $2.50 each)

Hunt's tomato ketchup 24oz $0.88

$0.35/1 Hunt's Ketchup found on package (free after tripling, possible $0.17 money maker, if they allow overage on tripled coupons)
$0.50/2 Hunt's Ketchup snail mail ($.76 for 2 or $0.38 each after doubling)

Libby's vegetables 14-15oz $0.67 each
Ranch style beans 15oz $0.55
Pillsbury Cake Mixes 18oz selected variety $0.88
Colortex big Mopper paper towels single roll $0.69
Parade mustard 20oz $0.77
Parade aluminum foil 12x25 sq ft $0.77
Van Camp's Pork and Beans 15oz $0.50

$1.00/4 Van Camp's Beans All You magazine, June 2011, center inset ($1.00 for 4 or $0.25 each)

Pringles Potato Chips 6oz selected varieties $1.50

$1.00/2 Pringles P&G booklet ~ $110 Everyday Savings ($2.00 for 2 or $1.00 each)
$1.00/2 Pringles any cans fat free 165g or larger 05/22/2011 RP (if included, $2.00 for 2 or $1.00 each)
$0.50/1 Pringles any snack stacks or stix 05/22/2011 RP ($0.50 after double)
$1.00/3 Pringles snack items, excl trial size 05/01/2011 P&G ($3.50 for 3 or $1.17 each)
$1.00/2 Pringles - any; Limit of 4 LIKE coupons home mailer ($2.00 for 2 or $1.00 each)

Parade liquid bleach 96oz $1.29
Rotel Tomatoes 10oz $0.88

l tomatoes 10oz can select varieties $0.88
FREE Rotel (up to $1.50) wyb Velveeta 1 lb or larger tearpad
$1.00/3 Rotel Diced Tomatoes ConAgra Save over $35 coupon booklet ($1.64 or $0.55 each when you buy 3)
$1.00/3 Rotel Diced Tomatoes April All You ($1.64 or $0.55 each when you buy 3)
Save $1.50 on any chips including store brand when you buy 1 2lb Velveeta Queso Blanco and 2 cans of Rotel tearpad

Kraft Velveeta Cheese 32oz (pre priced $5.99) $4.44

1.50 Velveeta 2 lb. +, Any and Ground Beef, Any (Including Store Brand) tearpad
Save $1.50 on any chips including store brand when you buy 1 2lb Velveeta Queso Blanco and 2 cans of Rotel tearpad

Gladiola yellow cornbread mix 6oz $0.34
Del Monte spaghetti sauce 26.5oz $0.99
Folger's country roast coffee 34.5oz $6.99

$0.25/1 Folgers Product 05/22/2011 RP ($6.24 after triple)
$1.00/2 Folgers product 05/22/2011 RP ($12.98 for 2 or $6.49 each)

Value Star foam plates 40 ct $0.88
Hunt's pudding or gel snacks 4ct $0.99

B3G1 Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 4-pk - All You, June 2011 - valid up to $1.00 ($2.97 for 3 or $0.75 each)

Blue Ribbon long grain rice 2lb $0.88
Parade hamburger dill slices 32 oz $0.99
Parade vegetable oil 48oz
Mardi Gras napkins 250 ct $1.79
Bush's baked beans 28oz $1.67

$1.00/3 Bush's Baked Beans or Bush's Grillin' Beans, 21-28 oz, any flavor Kroger's My Magazine ($4 for 3 or $1.33 each)
$0.55/1 Bush's Baked Beans snail mail ($1.12)
$1.00/2 Bush's Baked Beans or Grillin' Beans - 05-22-11 SS ($2.34 or $1.17 each)

Del Monte tomatoes 14.5oz select varieties $0.99

$1.00/4 Del Monte canned vegetables found on packages ($2.96 for 4 or $0.74 each)

Louisiana hot sauce 12oz $0.99

$0.25/1 Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce any 03/30/2008 RP ($0.24 each after triple)

Parade mayonnaise 32 oz $1.99
Kraft salad dressing select varieties 16oz $1.79

$1.00/1 Free produce upto $1 wyb two (2) Kraft Dressings tearpad
$1.50/2 Kraft dressing 14 oz + 05/15/2011 RP ($2.8 for 2 or $1.04 each)
$1.00/2 Kraft dressing 14 oz or larger 05/15/2011 RP ($2.58 for 2 or $1.29 each)
$1.00/2 Kraft dressing, 16 oz snail mail ($2.58 for 2 or $1.29 each)

Joy dish liquid 14oz $0.88
Lone Star hipro plus dog food 18lb $5.99
Parade mac and cheese 7oz $0.34
Jif peanut butter 18oz $1.99

$0.35/1 Jif Product snail mail ($0.94 after triple)
FREE Jif Peanut Butter product, any - valid up to $3.00 home mailer

A1 Steak Sauce 10oz $2.99

$1.00/1 A.1. and (1) Kraft BBQ sauce tearpad ($2.87 for both or $1.44 each)

Frozen

Blue Bell ice cream half gallon $4.00
Tyson chicken snacks 22-28oz selected varieties $6.99

$1.00/1 Tyson Frozen Product tearpad ($5.99)
$1.00/1 Tyson Frozen Grilled & Ready Products 04/03/2011 SS (if included) ($5.99)
$0.55/1 Tyson Refrigerated Chicken or Steak Strips package peelie ($6.44)
$1.00/1 Tyson frozen Grilled & Ready chicken 05/08/2011 SS (if included) ($5.99)
$0.55/1 pacakage Tyson refrigerated grilled & ready products 05/08/2011 SS (if included) ($6.44)

Bar-S corn dogs 3lb $4.99

$5.00/1 Bar-S, Any Product. "This certificate entitles the bearer to $5.00 worth of any Bar-S product." home mailer ($0.01 money maker if they allow overage)
$0.25/1 Bar-S brand product, any home mailer ($4.74)
$1.00/1Bar-S product, any - IP from Facebook promo ($3.99)

Kraft cool whip 8oz $0.99

$0.65/2 Cool Whip Whipped Topping blinkie ($1.33 for two or $0.67 each)
Free Cool Whip 8oz WYB 1 Entenmann's loaf cake and 1 pk of Fresh berries tearpad (varies)

Pepperidge Farm layer cakes 19.6oz $2.50
Birdseye little ear cob corn 12 pack $2.50

$0.25/1 Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables And Fruit, Any Package home mailer ($1.75)

Totino's pizza rolls 7.5oz $1.25

$0.40/2 Totino's Rolls Snacks 04/17/2011 SS ($2.10 for 2 or $1.05 each)
$0.50/4 Totino's any flavor/variety products 05/22/2011 SS ($4.50 for 4 or $1.13 each)
$1.00/3 Totino's Products, any - 05-22-11 SS or found inside some packages ($2.75 for 3 or $0.92 each)
$1.00/2 Totino's Rolls Snacks, any - 04-17-11 SS ($1.50 for 2 or $0.75 each)
$0.35/1 Totino's Rolls Snacks, any - 04-17-11 SS ($0.90 each)

Bacardi frozen mixers 10oz selected variety $1.88
Blue Bonnet spread 45oz $2.19

Refrigerated

Minute Maid Simply Orange Juice 1.75lt $2.77

$0.50/1 Simply Lemonade, Simply Orange, or Simply Apple ANY SIZE Walgreens Diabetes & You Magazine, Spring 2011 ($2.27)
$1.00/1 Simply Orange (any size or Variety) Blinkie ($1.77)

Parade American singles 12oz $1.5
Sunny Delight citrus punch 48oz $0.99

$0.25/1 Sunny D 05/15/2011 SS ($0.74)

Parade Texas style biscuits 12oz $0.77
Kraft party dips 16oz $1.79
Coffee-Mate creamer 32oz selected variety $2.99

$1.00/2 Nestle Coffee-mate liquid creamer blinkie($4.98 for 2 or $2.49 each)
$1.00/1 Nestle Coffee-mate liquid creamer blinkie ($1.99)
$1.00/1 Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid, any 16 oz tearpad (1.99)

Heluva Good! dip 12oz $1.19

$0.55/1 Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dip 05/15/2011 SS ($0.64)
$0.75/1 Heluva Good! assorted variety dip 05/15/2011 GM ($0.44)
$1.00/2 Heluva Good Sour Cream dips, any two (2) tearpad ($1.38 for 2 or $0.69 ea)
$1.00/2 Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips, any - 05-15-11 SS $1.38 for 2 or $0.69 ea)

Borden fruit drinks gallon assorted flavors $1.09
Tampico citrus punch gallon assorted flavors $1.69
Oak Farms orange juice $3.79
Oak Farms milk gallon 1% or chocolate $3.79
Oak Farms half and half pint $1.49

Produce

Russet potatoes 5lb bag $0.99
Fresh yellow corn $0.33 each
Seedless green or red grapes $1.98
Fresh Express hearts of romaine or fresh spinach $1.98

$0.50/1 Fresh Express Salad, any package 04/03/2011 SS ($0.98 after doubling)
$0.55/1 Fresh Express Package Salad, any - 04-03-11 SS ($1.43)
$1.00 Fresh Express (Salad Kits or Blends) WYB (1) Gorton's Chilled Seafood Item
$0.55/1 Fresh Express Package Salad home mailer ($1.43)

Fresh cucumbers $0.34
Texas small boiler red potatoes $0.78/lb
Texas yellow onions $0.39/lb
Fresh jalapeno peppers $0.49/lb
Baby carrots 2lb package $1.89
Texas whole mushrooms 16oz $2.28
California peaches $1.48
Mexican limes $0.07/ea
California navel oranges 4lb bag $1.98
Fresh strawberries $2.28/lb carton
California large broccoli $1.48/lb
Tomatillos $0.78/lb
Cluster tomatoes $0.99/lb
Large watermelon $3.58 ea

Food Rite 5/25/2011-5/31/2011

2011-05-25T20:39:00.001-05:00

Food Rite Market

Open Mon-Sun 7am-10pm

5320 FM 1765 Texas City, TX 77591

409-938-1350

Food Rite does take internet printable coupons as long as they scan. All coupons are for face value only. They do not limit how many products or coupons you can purchase at one time (ex, if you want 20 boxes of cereal and have 20 coupons for said boxes, you can buy it).

Fresh Meat & Poultry

Cleaned crabs 1 dozen/bag $5.99
Family pack ground beef $1.99/lb
Beef back ribs $1.59/lb
Select ribeye steak $5.49/lb
Whole brisket $1.99/lb
Small pork ribs in packages of 2 or 3 $1.69/lb
Sirloin Pork Chops $1.09/lb
Country style pork ribs $1.69/lb
Pork Steak $1.69/lb
Chicken Wings $0.99/lb
Fresh chicken drumsticks $0.79/lb
Chicken Thigsh $0.79/lb
Fresh boudin $0.99/lb
Creole or Cajun sausage $1.99/lb

Produce

Tomatillos 2lbs/$1
Jalapeno peppers 3lbs/$1
Whole seedless watermelon 2/$5
Yams (sweet potatoes) 3lbs/$1
Yellow corn 3 for $1
Colorado russet potatoes 5lb bag 2/$3
Zucchini squash $0.59
Yellow onions 4lbs/$1
Green onions 4/$1
Dole American blend salad 12oz 2/$3
Gold pineapples from Mexico $1.79/ea
Small Gala apples 6/$1
Small California oranges 8/$1
Small Red Delicious apples 6/$1
Cilantro bunch 4/1

Dairy

Borden milk 1/2 gallon $2.19 each

$0.75/1 Borden Milk, 1 gallon or 2 half gallons ~ no more prints ($1.82 each or $3.63/gallon)

Borden Red Diamond Sweet & Unsweet Tea 1 gallon $2
Simply Orange Juice 1.75 liter select varieties $2.77 ea

$0.50/1 Simply Lemonade, Simply Orange, or Simply Apple ANY SIZE Walgreens Diabetes & You Magazine, Spring 2011 ($2.27)
$1.00/1 Simply Orange (any size or Variety) Blinkie ($1.77)

Blue Bonnet soft spread regular or light 45oz tub $2.19 ea
Borden shredded cheese 8oz bag selected varieties 2/$4
Blue Bonnet margarine quarters regular or light 1lb box 4/$3
Sunny Delight citrus punch 48oz $0.99 ea

$0.25/1 Sunny D 05/15/2011 SS ($0.74)
$0.55/1 Sunny D ~ no more prints ($0.44

Daisy sour cream regular or light 16 oz $1.79 ea

$1.00/1 Daisy Sour Cream (16 oz or larger) & one Lay's or Tostitos Dip Creations Seasoning Mix (1 oz) tearpad ($0.79)
$0.45/1 Daisy Sour Cream, Any 16 Oz. Tearpad ($1.34)

Kraft chunk cheese 8oz package select varieties 2/$5

Grocery

Blue Bell 1/2 gallon ice cream select varieties $4

$1.00/1 Blue Bell Ice Cream Half Gallon Flavor Must join Blue Bell Country Club (Under Extra Scoops) ($3)

Blue Bell ice cream .5oz 12pk cups select varieties 2/$7
Cool Whip topping 8oz tub select varieties $0.99 ea

$0.65/2 Cool Whip Whipped Topping blinkie ($1.33 for two or $0.67 each)
Free Cool Whip 8oz WYB 1 Entenmann's loaf cake and 1 pk of Fresh berries tearpad (varies)

Pepperidge Farms layer cakes 19.6oz box select varieties 2/$5
New York brand Texas Garlic Toast or Breadsticks 11.25oz package $1.99 ea

$0.55/1 New York Brand Frozen Product - Texas Toast included blinkie ($1.44)
$0.50/1 New York Brand Texas Toast found inside the Snyder of Hanover Pretzel Snack Box ($1.49)
$0.50/1 New York Brand Texas Garlic Toast Booklet/Pamphlet ($1.49
$0.50/1 New York Brand Frozen Product, on any Tearpad ($1.49)

Jose Ole Chimichangas or Burritos 4oz package select varieties ($0.75)

$1.00/1 Jose Ole, any product (may be on 12oz or larger, so it's unconfirmed as to whether or not this can be used)
$1.00/1 Jose Ole Item, any Home Mailer

Totino's pizza rolls 15ct package select varieties $1.25

$0.40/2 Totino's Rolls Snacks 04/17/2011 SS ($2.10 for 2 or $1.05 each)
$0.50/4 Totino's any flavor/variety products 05/22/2011 SS ($4.50 for 4 or $1.13 each)
$1.00/3 Totino's Products, any - 05-22-11 SS or found inside some packages ($2.75 for 3 or $0.92 each)
$1.00/2 Totino's Rolls Snacks, any - 04-17-11 SS ($1.50 for 2 or $0.75 each)
$0.35/1 Totino's Rolls Snacks, any - 04-17-11 SS ($0.90 each)

Michelina's Yu sing entrees 5 to 9.5oz box select varieties excludes budget gourmet $0.99 ea

$1.00/5 Michelina's Traditional Recipe or Authentico Entrees (not exactly possible if this would be valid for this product, so double check) ($3.95 for 5 or $0..79 each)
$2.50/1 One free Michelina's entree, any variety value up to 2.50 snail mail

Bacardi drink mixer 19oz select varieties $1.88 ea

$1.00/3 Bacardi Mixers, Frozen ($4.64 for 3 or $1.55 each)

Delimex Taquitos 25oz $4.99 ea
Tony Chachere's 14oz (picture looks like it's a frozen entree or side, but the only description is what I have before the parenthesis) $2.99 ea
Las Campanas Burritos 27-36oz $3.69ea
Tyson Chicken 5 strips, wings, bites, 25.5oz $6.99

$1.00/1 Tyson Frozen Product tearpad ($5.99)
$1.00/1 Tyson Frozen Grilled & Ready Products 04/03/2011 SS (if included) ($5.99)
$0.55/1 Tyson Refrigerated Chicken or Steak Strips package peelie ($6.44)
$1.00/1 Tyson frozen Grilled & Ready chicken 05/08/2011 SS (if included) ($5.99)
$0.55/1 pacakage Tyson refrigerated grilled & ready products 05/08/2011 SS (if included) ($6.44)

Budding ham & turkey tubs 9oz $2.50
Bar S sliced bacon 12oz $2.50

$5.00/1 Bar-S, Any Product. "This certificate entitles the bearer to $5.00 worth of any Bar-S product." home mailer
$0.25/1 Bar-S brand product, any home mailer ($2.25)
$1.00/1Bar-S product, any - IP from Facebook promo ($1.50)

Bar S balogna, salami, spiced luncheon 12oz beef excluded $0.99

$5.00/1 Bar-S, Any Product. "This certificate entitles the bearer to $5.00 worth of any Bar-S product." home mailer
$0.25/1 Bar-S brand product, any home mailer (0.74)
$1.00/1Bar-S product, any - IP from Facebook promo ($0.01 money maker, if they allow overage)

Bar S hot dogs 12oz $0.79

$5.00/1 Bar-S, Any Product. "This certificate entitles the bearer to $5.00 worth of any Bar-S product." home mailer
$0.25/1 Bar-S brand product, any home mailer ($0.54)
$1.00/1Bar-S product, any - IP from Facebook promo ($0.21 money maker, if they allow overage)

Eckrich sausage 3lbs $6.99

$1.00/2 Eckrich Smoked Sausage Products, Any (Excludes Eckrich Turkey Smoked Sausage) - 05-15-11 SS ($12.98 for 2 or $6.49 each)
$0.55/1 Eckrich Smoked Sausage Product (not valid on turkey smoked sausage) - 05-15-11 SS ($6.44)
$0.55/1 Eckrich Product, Any home mailer ($6.44)

Reser cole slaw, potato salad 15-16oz $1.19ea

$0.55/1 Reser's fine foods products, any tearpad ($0.64)

Garlic Bread 16oz pkg epi brand $1.99ea
Bundt 7-Up, Hawaiian, Orange Crush cake 16oz $2.99
24 Pack Niagara drinking water .5 ltr bottles 2/$5
Mott's Clamato juice regular or picante 64oz bottle $3.79
Shasta soda water 2 ltr bottle select flavors $0.77ea

B1G1 Shasta soda ~ no more prints ($0.39 each when you buy 2)

Kern's nectar 11.5oz can select flavors$0.40 ea
V-8 Splash fruit drink 64oz bottle select varieties $2.39 ea
Jarritos soda drinks 1.5 ltr bottle select flavors $0.99 ea

$1.00/4 Jarritos Buy 4 or more bottles of Jarritos 13.5 oz hangtag ($2.96 for 4 or $0.74 each)

12 pack Miller Lite, Genuine Draft, MGD64 12oz cans $9.49

$2.00 Cape Cod Potato Chips, two (2) 8-8.5 oz. bags w/ the puchase of one (1) Budweiser family 12-pack or larger (cans or bottles) tearpad

20 pack Budweiser, Bud Light, select varieties no return long necks $14.99 ea
12 pack Stars & Stripes Cola 12oz cans select flavors 2/$4
Gatorade sport drinks 32oz bottle select varieties $0.88

$1.00/5 Gatorade or G2 32 oz products, has Kroger logo home mailer ($3.40 for 5 or $0.68 each)

Parade charcoal regular, mesquite, or hickory 8.3lb bag $1.99
Kraft BBQ sauce 18oz bottle select varieties $0.88

$1.00/1 A.1. and (1) Kraft BBQ sauce tearpad
$1.00/2 Kraft BBQ Sauce, any tearpad ($0.76 for 2 or $0.38 each)

Ragu spaghetti sauce 45oz jar select varieties $1.99

$0.50/1 Ragu Pasta Sauce 05/22/2011 RP ($1.49)
$1.25/3 Ragu any pasta sauce 05/22/2011 RP ($4.72 for 3 or $1.57 each)
$0.50/1 Ragu Pasta sauce Family Dollar logo tearpad ($1.49)
$1.00/2 Ragu sauce snail mail or 05-22-11 RP ($2.98 for 2 or $1.49 each)
$0.75/2 Ragu Pasta Sauce, Any - 05-22-11 RP ($3.23 for 2 or $1.62 each)
$0.60/2 Ragu Pasta Sauce, Any - 05-22-11 RP ($3.38 each or $1.69 each)

Parade sugar 4lb bag $1.99
Doritos 11-12oz pre priced $3.99 BOGO

$1.00/1 any Doritos snack WYB Bicycle playing cards peelie
buy 10 oz + Doritos, Save $2 on 3 oz Matador by Jack Link's Beef Jerky Product tearpad
$1.00/2 Cheetos, Doritos, Ruffles, Fritos, or Sabritones, any combination of (2) 7oz. or larger bags, TX residents only, of legal drinking age

Nabisco Chips Ahoy cookies 13 to 15.2oz select varieties $2.50

$1.00/1 Chips Ahoy! and either Chips Ahoy! Chocofudge or Chips Ahoy! Mega tearpad
$1.50/1 Chips Ahoy! cookies AND one (1) package of Breyers ice cream tearpad
$1.00/2 Chips Ahoy (1) AND (1) Chips Ahoy made with Reeses or Chips Ahoy made with Heath (9.5oz-15.25oz packages) tearpad
$1.00/1 Chips Ahoy, Chips Ahoy made with Reeses or Chips Ahoy made with Heath (9.5oz-15.25oz packages)

Pillsbury cake mix 18.2oz select varieties $0.88 ea
Hunts 4-pack snack pack pudding or gel $0.99

B3G1 Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 4-pk - All You, June 2011 - valid up to $1.00 ($2.97 for 3 or $0.75 each)

Gladiola coornbread mix yellow or white 6oz b os 3/$1
Jif peanut butter 18oz jar select varieties $1.99

$0.35/1 Jif Product snail mail
FREE Jif Peanut Butter product, any - valid up to $3.00 home mailer

Ranch Style Beans 15oz can $0.55 ea
Hunt's ketchup 24oz bottle $0.88 ea

$0.35/1 Hunt's Ketchup found on package ($0.53 each)
$0.50/2 Hunt's Ketchup snail mail ($1.26 for 2 or $0.63 each)
$0.25/1 Hunts ketchup ~ no more prints ($0.63 each)

Parade squeeze mustard 20oz bottle $0.77 ea
Tony Chachere's 8oz creole seasoning reg or more spice $1.19

$0.25/1 Tony Chachere's product ($0.94 each)

Tony Chachere's 8oz box rice mixings select varieties $1.19

$0.25/1 Tony Chachere's product ($0.94 each)

Tony Chachere's 10oz box fish fry original or crispy $1.19

$0.25/1 Tony Chachere's product ($0.94 each)

Tony Chachere's brown gravy or roux mix 10oz box $1.49

$0.25/1 Tony Chachere's product ($1.24 each)

Parade Vegetable Oil 46oz bottle $2.49
Parade blend, canola or corn oil $2.99
Van Camp's Pork and Beans 15oz can $.50

$1.00/4 Van Camp's Beans All You magazine, June 2011, center inset ($1.00 for 4 or $0.25 each)

Libby's vegetables 14.5-15.5oz cans select varieties 3/$2
Bush's baked beans 28oz can select varieties $1.67 each

$1.00/3 Bush's Baked Beans or Bush's Grillin' Beans, 21-28 oz, any flavor Kroger's My Magazine ($4 for 3 or $1.33 each)
$0.55/1 Bush's Baked Beans snail mail ($1.12)
$1.00/2 Bush's Baked Beans or Grillin' Beans - 05-22-11 SS ($2.34 or $1.17 each)

Hormel chili plain or with beans 15oz can $1.50

$0.55/2 Hormel Chili cans 5/08/2011 SS ($2.45 for 2 or $1.23 each)
$1.00/2 Hormel Chili, any cans - 05-08-11 SS ($2 for 2 or $1.00 each)

Juanita's Hominy 29oz can $0.99

$0.50/1 Juanitas / Pico Pica Products tearpad ($0.49)

Kraft salad dressing 16oz bottle select varieties $1.79ea

$1.00/1 Free produce upto $1 wyb two (2) Kraft Dressings tearpad
$1.50/2 Kraft dressing 14 oz + 05/15/2011 RP ($2.8 for 2 or $1.04 each)
$1.00/2 Kraft dressing 14 oz or larger 05/15/2011 RP ($2.58 for 2 or $1.29 each)
$1.00/2 Kraft dressing, 16 oz snail mail ($2.58 for 2 or $1.29 each)

San Marcos Whole Jalapenos 26oz can $0.99
Rotel tomatoes 10oz can select varieties $0.88

FREE Rotel (up to $1.50) wyb Velveeta 1 lb or larger tearpad
$1.00/3 Rotel Diced Tomatoes ConAgra Save over $35 coupon booklet
$1.00/3 Rotel Diced Tomatoes April All You
Save $1.50 on any chips including store brand when you buy 1 2lb Velveeta Queso Blanco and 2 cans of Rotel tearpad

Kraft Velveeta 32oz loaf pre-priced $4.99 for $4.44

$1.50 Velveeta 2 lb. +, Any and Ground Beef, Any (Including Store Brand) tearpad
Save $1.50 on any chips including store brand when you buy 1 2lb Velveeta Queso Blanco and 2 cans of Rotel tearpad

Del Monte spaghetti sauce 26.5oz can select varieties $0.99
Blue Ribbon long grain rice 2lb bag $0.88
Knorr pasta and rice side dishes 3.8-5.8oz pkg select varieties $0.88

$0.50/2 Knorr any rice and pasta sides 05/22/2011 RP ($1.26 for 2 or $0.63 each)
$1.00/3 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides, any - 05-22-11 RP ($1.64 for 3 or $0.55 each
$1.00/3 Knorr Rice Sides, any tearpad ($1.64 for 3 or $0.55 each)
$0.45/1 Knorr Item, any (except minicubes) (SS en Espanol) - 05-01-11 SS ($0.43 each)

Breast O' Chicken tuna in oil or water 5oz can $0.69
Pioneer brown gravy mix 1.61 oz b ag 2/$1

$0.30/2 Pioneer Brand Pioneer Gravy Mix - found on Pioneer Gravy packages ($0.70 for 2 or $0.35 each)
$0.25/1 Pioneer biscuit & baking mix home mailer ($0.25)
$0.50/2 Pioneer Gravy - Requested from Company ($0.50 for 2 or $0.25 each)

Pioneer country gravy mix 2.75oz bag 3/$2

$0.30/2 Pioneer Brand Pioneer Gravy Mix - found on Pioneer Gravy packages ($0.70 for 2 or $0.35 each)
$0.25/1 Pioneer biscuit & baking mix home mailer ($0.25)
$0.50/2 Pioneer Gravy - Requested from Company ($0.50 for 2 or $0.25 each)

La Lechera sweet condensed milk less sugar or fat free 14oz can $1.49

$0.55/2 La Lechera Products, Any ($2.43 for 2 or $1.22 each)

Folgers country roast coffee 34.5oz excludes 100% Columbian $6.99

$1.00/1 Folger's Coffee, 3 oz+ ~ no more prints! ($5.99)
$0.25/1 Folgers Product 05/22/2011 RP ($6.74)
$1.00/2 Folgers product 05/22/2011 RP ($12.98 for 2 or $6.49 each)

Value Star foam plates 40ct package $0.88
Joy dish liquid 14oz bottle select varieties $0.88
Sun 77oz powder or 24 to 29 2x luquid detergent 2/$4
Snuggles fabric softener blue or green 64oz bottle $2.50

$1.00/1 Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets ($1.50 each)
$1.50/1 Snuggle fabric softener home mailer ($1.00)

12 roll Cottonelle bath tissue reg. ultra or aloe $5.99

$2.00/1 Cottonelle Bath Tissue blinkie ($3.99)
$0.50/1 Cottonelle Toilet Paper ($5.49)
$1.00/1Cottonelle Ultra toilet paper 12-pk or larger tearpad ($4.99)
$0.75/1 Cottonelle, 12 double roll pack tearpad ($4.74)
$0.50/1 Cottonelle Ultra Bath Tissue blinkie ($5.49)

More Kroger issues?

2011-05-24T13:49:00.002-05:00

Seriously, Kroger? Went into the one on Gulf Freeway in Dickinson and got told they wouldn't write a rain check on a sale item that's on sale (not clearance) because it's not in the paper. I've been to 3 stores to get the Kandoo wipes on sale 10/$10 and use my $1 off q's (only wanted to buy 4). They've all been totally sold out. Sale ends on the 29th. Can't price match at the Walmart close by because they claim they've never heard of the price match guarantee where you don't need the ad. So fed up!

Baywood Foods 4/27/2011-5/3/2011

2011-04-27T22:44:00.000-05:00

As with the Food Rite ad is anyone interested in these? I mean are you really, really using them? I ask because they take so incredibly long to research coupons and if it's only for me, I'm not going to use a lot of the products the coupons are for. Let me know in the comments.

Baywood triples coupons up to $0.39 and doubles up to $0.50, and only double/triple 2 like coupons per person per day (that means no multiple transactions in order to get more double/tripled unless you come with more than 1 person, their words). They do not take internet printables. On their "with additional $10 purchase items, it is the cost before coupons. They also have a magnificent meat deal where you can get 5 items for $20. The meat items are different every day, so it's not something they can advertise, but it's still awesome and you can save $15 easily on meat doing this. I've asked if they limit how many deals you can get in one transaction, and it seems to vary with each checker. I've only done a max of 2 at a time - usually 5 packages of bacon and 5 packages of various other meats such as cuts of beef and pork chops. They have 2 locations; 301 S Brazosport Blvd, Freeport and 6721 Main St. Hitchcock.

Mix or Match 5 for $5.00

Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper 5.8oz Selected Varieties

$1.00/3 or $0.75/3 Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals, any - 04-17-11 SS
$1.00/3 or $0.75/3 Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals, any - 03-20-11 SS
Many peelies, tearpads, booklets, peelies, and home mailers available. Check your binders!

As low as $0.67 each when you buy 3

Shasta Soft Drinks 6pk all varieties
Kool-Aid Burts 6pk all varieties
Louisiana Hot Sauce 12oz

$0.25/1 Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce 03/30/2008 RP

As low as $.25 ea

Parade pinto beans 2lbs
Ranch Style Beans 26oz all varieties
Van Camp's Pork and Beans
Rice-A-Roni

Lots of peelies and tearpads available. Check your binders!
Get a Pasta Roni Free wyb 3 Rice-A-Roni (up to $2.00 value) RP1 1/2/2011

As low as $0.50 each with certain peelies

Pasta Roni

Lots of peelies and tearpads available. Check your binders!

Get a Pasta Roni Free wyb 3 Rice-A-Roni (up to $2.00 value) RP1 1/2/2011

As low as $0.50 each with certain peelies

Parade Ground Black Pepper 4oz
Farmland Bacon Wrapped Beef Fillets 4oz

Mailers available for $0.75-$1.00 off. Check your binders!

Ozarka Spring Water 3 liter
3-Minute Quick Grits 24oz
Alpo Dog Food 22oz can

Many home mailers and peelies available. Check your binders!

Pringles Potato Chips 4oz original or sour cream and onion

$1.00/2 or $0.50/1 Pringles Snacks Stacks or Stix (Limit of 4 Like Coupons in Same Shopping Trip) - 04-03-11 PG

As low as free with the $0.50/1 doubled

Xtra Pine Cleaner
Del Monte Sloppy Joe Sauce 15oz
Pictsweet frozen vegetables 16oz selected varieties
Totino's Pizza Rolls 7.5oz

$1.00/2, $0.40/2 or $0.35/1 Totino's Rolls Snacks, any - 04-17-11 SS

$0.50-FREE ea

Parade Sour Cream 8oz
Hormel Little Sizzlers 12oz select varieties
Oscar mayer Lunchables 3-4oz select varieties
Roegelein meat franks 12oz

Limit 2 total with additional $10 purchase

Boneless beef top sirloin steaks $2.98
Boneless beef chuck roast jumbo pack $2.38
Tyson fresh split chicken breast family pack $0.88/lb
Fresh lean pork butt roast sold as roast only $1.38/lb
Market Fresh boneless skinless chicken breast family pack $1.58/lb
Maxim large eggs 18pk carton 2/$3.00

Meat

Pork steaks jumbo pack $1.99/lb
Boneless pork butt roast $1.79/lb
Sirloin pork chops jumbo pack $2.29/lb
Boneless beef chuck steaks jumbo pack $3.49/lb
Boneless beef chuck eye steaks $3.99/lb
Ground chuck jumbo pack $2.99/lb
Catfish nuggets $1.99/lb
Thorn Apple Valley lunch meats 16oz selected varieties 2/$5.00
Corn King sliced bacon 12oz 2/$5.00
Owens roll sausage 2lb $6.49 ea
Eckrich smoked sausage 12-14oz selected varieties 2/$5.00

$0.55 off Eckrich Smocked Sausage 04-17-11 SS

Home mailers also available. Check your binders!

$1.95 ea

Tyson meat entrees 17-29oz selected varieties $4.99
Rath jumbo meat franks 16oz 2/$3.00
Bar-S corn dogs 24oz $2.99
Bar-S beef or cheese corn dogs $3.49
Chappell Hill smoked sausage 14oz selected variety $2.99

Grocery

Ozarka spring water 28 pack .5 liter bonus pack $3.98
Bounty Basic paper towels 8 rolls $4.99

$1.00/1 Bounty paper towels 6 pack or larger 04/10/2011 RP
$1.00/1 Bounty paper towels 6 pk or larger 02/20/2011 RP
Also lots of booklets, coupons found in the packages, and snail mails. Check your binders!

As low as $3.99 ($0.50/roll)

Pillsbury cake mixes 18oz selected variety $0.79 ea

$1.00/2 tearpads and peelies available. Check your binders!

as low as $0.29 ea

Charmin basic bath tissue 12 double rolls $4.99

$0.25/1 or $1.00/2 Charmin Products 04/03/2011 P&G
Lots of Peelies and Hangtags available too. Check your binders!

Stars and Stripes soft drinks 3 liter all varieties 4/$5.00
Libby's vegetables 14.5 oz, selected varieties 4/$3.00
Breast O'Chicken Chunk Tuna 5oz in oil or water $0.69
Nabisco premium saltine crackers 16oz $1.99
Imperial sugar 4lb $2.29

$0.50/1 Imperial Sugar product (except 2lb extra fine granulated) - 04-10-11 SS
$0.75/1 Imperial sugar granulated 3.4 lb. or larger, brown or powdered sugar
$0.50/1 Imperial Granulated Sugar, Any 3.4 Lb. Pouch Or 4 Lb. Carton

$1.29-$1.54 ea

Peter Pan peanut butter 16oz $1.66

$1.00/2 Peter Pan All Natural Peanut Butter April All You
$1.00/2 Peter Pan peanut butter ConAgra Save over $35 coupon booklet

As low as $1.16 each when you buy 2

Sun classic detergent 29 loads or 77oz powder 2/$4.00
Heniz tomato ketchup 20 oz 2/$3.00
Ragu spaghetti sauce 24oz selected variety $1.99
Hi-C fruit drinks 10 pack selected variety $1.77
Armour Vienna sausage 5oz 2/$1.00
Sparkle paper towels single roll $0.79
Aunt Jemima pancake mix 32 oz $1.79
Gatorade sport drinks gallon $2.99
Parade canned pineapple 20 oz $0.88
Lipton family tea bags 24 ct $1.99
Ocean Spray cranberry juice 46 oz $2.29
V-8 vegetable juice 6 pack 5.5 oz $2.49
Kellog's Cereal 14.16oz Cocoa Krispies or Frosted Flakes 2/$5.00

$1.00/2 Kellogg's Rice Krispies and/or Cocoa Krispies Cereals, any 12 oz or larger - 04-17-11 RP
$1.50/3 Kellogg's Corn Pops, Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, Honey Smacks, Frosted Mini-Wheats Little Bites, Cinnabon and/or Frosted Flakes Cereals - 04-10-11 RP
Also, lots of home mailers, peelies, and inside package coupons available. Check your binders!

As low as $2.00 each

Act II Popcorn 6ct $2.29

$0.50/1, $1.00/2 or $0.55/1 Act II Microwave Popcorn - 3 pack or larger any variety 02/27/2011 SS
Booklets and inserts also available. Check your binders!

$1.29-$1.79 ea

Campbells Tomato or Chicken Noodle soup 10 oz $0.79

Many home mailers and booklets available. Check your binders!

Irish Springs bar soap 3 pack 4 oz $1.79

$0.50/1 Irish Spring Bar Soap or Body Wash (except trial sizes) (SS en espanol) - 03-27-11 SS
Many home mailers also available. Check your binders!

As low as $0.79/ea

Parade diapers 16-24 ctselected variety $2.99
Bengal roach spray 9 oz $6.99

Peelies available. Check your binders and the product

Dorito's tortilla chips pre-priced $3.99 2/$6.00

Peelies and tearpads available. Check your binders!

Cheetos pre-priced $3.49 2/$6.00

$0.50/2 tearpad available. Check your binders!

As low as $2.50 ea

Oroweat 100% whole wheat bread 24 oz $2.99

$0.55/1Oroweat Health-full 24oz Bread, Any Variety - 03-06-11 SS

Mrs Biard's honey wheat bread 20 oz $1.99
El Charrito enchilada dinners 11oz selected variety 4/$5.00
Hot or Lean Pockets 9 oz selected variety 2/$4.00

Many tearpads, peelies, booklets and coupons inside the package available. Check your binders!

Parade whipped topping 8oz $0.79
Fisherboy Fish Sticks 16 oz 2/$5.00

Many tearpads, peelies, blinkies and coupons inside packages available. Check your binders!

Blue Bell sherbert quart $2.19
Country Crock spread 45 oz $2.79

$0.40/1 Shedd's Spread Country Crock , any one
$1.25/2 Shedd's Country Crock Spreads home mailer
$1.00/1 Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread, any - All You, May 2011
$0.40, $0.50, or $0.60 off Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread, any - 04-17-11 RP

$1.00 off Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread AND (1) bag of Lender's Bagels - All You, April 2011

As low as $1.79 ea

Dole orange juice 59 oz selected variety 2/$4.00
Borden fruit drinks gallon $1.09
Tampico citrus punch gallon $1.69
Oak Farms orange juice gallon $3.79
Oak Farms choco loco gallon $1.99
Oak Farms cottage cheese 16 oz $2.09
Blue Bell ice cream bars 12 pk selected variety $3.19

Produce

California iceberg lettuce $0.69 ea
Russet potatoes 5lb bag $0.99
Cluster tomatoes $1.89
Texas sweet 1015 onions 2lbs/$0.89
California fresh broccoli 2/$3.0
Fresh green onions 2bunches/$0.78
Extra large cantaloupes $1.98 ea
Fresh Mexican limes 12/$1.00
Fresh cucumbers 3/$1.00
Minneola Tangelos 5/$1.00
Red ripe mangos 2/$1.00
Mississippi Yams 2lbs/$1.00
1lb carton fresh strawberries $2.28
Calabasita squash $0.78/lb
Tomatillos $0.78/lb
Texas Oranges 4lb bag $1.89

Food Rite 4/27/2011-5/3/2011

2011-04-27T20:08:00.001-05:00

Is anyone interested in these? I mean are you really, really using them? I ask because they take so incredibly long to research coupons and if it's only for me, I'm not going to use a lot of the products the coupons are for. Let me know in the comments.

Food Rite Market

Open Mon-Sun 7am-10pm

5320 FM 1765 Texas City, TX 77591

409-938-1350

Fresh Meat & Poultry

Sirloin Pork Chops $1.19/lb
Smoked Hocks $0.99/lb
Ox Tail $2.99/lb
Family Pack Ground Beef $1.99/lb
Smoked Pork Neck Bones $0.99/lb
Chuck Steak $2.79/lb
Turkey Necks $0.79/lb
Fresh Chicken Wings $1.29/lb
Fresh Hens $1.19/lb
Turkey Wings $0.99/lb
Turkey Drums $1.19/lb
Chuck Roast $2.59/lb
Summer Sausage $4.69/lb
Chopped Ham $2.79/lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.59/lb
Stuffed Pork Chops $2.99/lb

Produce

California Minneola Tangelos 9/$1 ($0.11 ea)
Fresh Broccoli Bundles $1.00/ea
Fresh Juicy Persian Limes 25/$1.00 ($0.04 ea)
Seedless Watermelon 2/$6.00 ($3.00 ea)
Crispy Cucumbers 4/$1 ($0.25 ea)
Sweet Red D'Anjou Pears 5/$1.00 ($0.20 ea)
Small Red Delicious Apples 6/$1.00 ($0.17 ea)
Dole Caesar Salad 10oz $1.69 ea
Fresh Zucchini Squash 2/$1.00 ($0.50 ea)
Fresh Green Onion Bunches 4/$1.00 ($0.25 ea)
Large Jalapeno Peppers 3/$1.00 ($0.34 ea)
Zesty Tomatillos from Mexico 2lbs/$1.00 ($0.50/lb)
Fresh Calabacita from Mexico 2lbs/$1.00 ($.50/lb)

Dairy

Borden 1 gallon Homo, Hi-Protein, or Skim Milk 2/$7 ($3.50 ea)

$0.75/1 Borden Milk, 1 gallon or 2 half gallons

Shedd's Spread Country Crock select varieties 45oz tub $2.79 ea

$0.40/1 Shedd's Spread Country Crock , any one
$1.25/2 Shedd's Country Crock Spreads home mailer
$1.00/1 Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread, any - All You, May 2011
$0.40, $0.50, or $0.60 off Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread, any - 04-17-11 RP
$1.00 off Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread AND (1) bag of Lender's Bagels - All You, April 2011

As low as $1.79 ea

Dole Orange Juice regular, with pulp or with calcium 59oz 2/$4.00 ($2.00 ea)
Bright & Early Orange Juice 64oz carton $0.88 ea

Grocery

Hot, Lean or Croissant Pockets 9oz box 2/$4.00 ($2.00 ea)

Lots of peelies, tearpads, booklets, home mailers, and home mailers available. Check your binders!

$1.00-$1.67

Michelina's Entrees 8.5oz excludes Budget Gourmet 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)

$1 off 5 Michelina's Entree Or Snackers Products
Free product home mailer available. Check your binders!

Free to $0.80 ea when you buy 5

Universal Beef Patties 3lbs $6.49 ea
Las Campanus Burritos 2 7-36oz $3.79 ea
Sea Best Shrimp 40/50ct $4.99 ea

1.00/1 Sea Best Bagged Product SS 4/10/11
1.00/1 Sea Best Bagged Product SS 2/27/11
1.00/1 Sea Best Bagged Product SS 3/20/11
1.00/1 Sea Best Bagged Product booklet. Check your binder!

$3.99/lb

Highland Family Pak Ice Cream 4qt pack $5.99 ea
El Charrito Enchiladas 11oz box select varieties 4/$5.00 ($1.25 ea)
Totino's Pizza Rolls 15ct pkg select varieties 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)

$1.00/2, $0.40/2 or $0.35/1 Totino's Rolls Snacks, any - 04-17-11 SS

$0.80-$0.50 ea

Blue Bell Ice Cream & Sherbert pint 4/$5.00 ($1.25 ea)

$1.00/1 Blue Bell Ice Cream - Must join Blue Bell Country Club (Under Extra Scoops)

$0.25 ea

Blue Bell Fruit Bars 6pack strawberry, pears, and lime 2/$4.00 ($2.00 ea)
North Star Ice Cream Sandwiches 12ct pkg $3.99 ea
Chappel Hill Sausage 14oz $2.99
Oscar Mayer Lunchables small pk 3.3oz-4.5oz 5/$5.00 ($1.25 ea)

Peelies are available! Check your binders.

Reser Cole Slaw or Macaroni Salad 16oz 5/$5.00 ($1.25 ea)

$1.00/1 Reser’s Sensational Sides item

as low as $0.25 ea

Hormel Little Sizzlers 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
Hormel Lunch Makers small package 2.6oz-3.2oz 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
Eckrich Sausage 12-16 oz 2/$5.00 ($2.50 ea)

$0.55 off Eckrich Smocked Sausage 04-17-11 SS
Home mailer also available. Check your binders!

$1.95 ea

Pillsbury Cake Mix 18.25 oz box select varieties $0.79 ea

$1.00/2 tearpads and peelies available. Check your binders!

as low as $0.29 ea

Miller Lite 12pk cans & bottles $9.49 ea
Bud & Bud Light 20pk cans & bottles $14.99 ea
Coke Product 2 liters 4/$5.00 ($1.25 ea)

At the store there were $1.00/4 winetags on a lot of the Coke product 2 liters

$1.00 each

Coke Product 12pk Cans 3/$11 ($3.67 ea)
Dasani Water 24 count .5 liter $3.99 ea

Tearpads and booklets available. Check your binders!

Knorr Pasta & Rice Side Dishes 3..8 to 5.7 oz pkg select varieties $0.88 ea

$1.00/3 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides

As low as $0.55 each when you buy 3

Rice a Roni or Pasta Roni Sides 4.7 to 6.9 oz box select varieties 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)

Lots of peelies and tearpads available. Check your binders!
Get a Pasta Roni Free wyb 3 Rice-A-Roni (up to $2.00 value) RP1 1/2/2011

As low as $0.50 each with certain peelies

White Wings Tortilla Mix 4lb bag $2.49 ea
Hunt's 4-pack snack pack pudding or gel 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)

Buy 3 get 1 Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 4-pk, any - All You, April 2011 - valid up to $1.00

As low as $0.75 ea when you buy 4

Snuggles Fabric Softener blue or green 4oz bottle 2/$5.00 ($2.50 ea)

$0.75/1 Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets, Any - 04-10-11 RP
Home mailers and hangtags also available. Check your binders!

As low as $1.25/ea with the RP coupon

Parade Pinto Beans 2lb bag 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
Betty Crocker Helpers 4.4 to 7.9oz box select varieties 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
12 roll Charmin Basic Bath Tissue $4.99 ea

$0.25/1 or $1.00/2 Charmin Products 04/03/2011 P&G
Lots of Peelies and Hangtags available too. Check your binders!

Lay's Potato Chips 10.5-11 oz bag pre-priced $3.99 $2.99 ea

$1.00/2 or $0.55/1 Lay's Potato Chips (10 oz. +), Any - Limit One Coupon Per Customer - 03-13-11 SS

$2.49 or $2.44 each

Nabisco Saltine Crackers 16oz box $1.99 ea
Kool Aid Unsweet Drink Mix 2qts size select flavors 5/$1.00 ($0.20 ea)

$0.50/5 Kool-Aid Unsweetened Packets ($0.10 ea)
Buy 2 Get 1 Kool-Aid Envelopes - 03-13-11 SS - valid up to $0.25 ($0.15 ea)
Buy 10 Get 5 Kool-Aid Envelopes, any five (5) or (1) 5-Pack Free WYB ten (10) Envelopes - 03-13-11 SS - valid up to $1.25 ($0.15 ea)
Many tearpads also available. Check your binders!

Tony Chachere's creole seasonings reg or more spices 8oz, rice mix 8oz bag select varieties, and fish fry original or crispy 10oz box $1.19 ea
Tony Chachere's brown gravy or roux mix 10oz box $1.49 ea
6-pack Kool Aid Kool Burst select flavors 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
Champ bite-size dog food 15lb bag $4.99 ea
Kern's Nectar 11.5oz can select flavors 5/$2.00 ($0.40 ea)
Imperial Sugar 4lb bag or 3.4lb pouch $2.29 ea

$0.50/1 Imperial Sugar product (except 2lb extra fine granulated) - 04-10-11 SS
$0.75/1 Imperial sugar granulated 3.4 lb. or larger, brown or powdered sugar
$0.50/1 Imperial Granulated Sugar, Any 3.4 Lb. Pouch Or 4 Lb. Carton

$1.54-$1.79 ea

3-liter Stars & Stripes Soda select varieties 4/$5.00 ($1.25 ea)
Breast O' Chicken Tuna in-oil or water 5oz can $0.69 ea
Heniz Squeeze Ketchup 20oz bottle select Flavors 2/$3.00 ($1.50 ea)
Ragu Spaghetti Sauce 24 to 26oz jar select varieties $1.99 ea
3-pack Irish Spring bar soap 4oz select varieties $1.79 ea

$0.50/1 Irish Spring Bar Soap or Body Wash (except trial sizes) (SS en espanol) - 03-27-11 SS
Many home mailers also available. Check your binders!

As low as $1.29/ea

Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix 2lb box select varieties $1.79ea

Many winetags/hangtags/home mailers/ and peelies available. Check your binders!

Gatorade Sports Drink or Powder Mix 18 to 128oz select varieties $2.29 ea

$1.00/2 G2 Low Calorie Powder Packs or Gatorade Powder Packs ~ no more prints!
Booklets, hangtags, and peelies are available. Check your binders!

Blue Ribbon Long Grain Rice 2lb bag 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
Louisiana Hot Sauce 12oz bottle 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)

$0.25/1 Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce 03/30/2008 RP

As low as $.75 ea

12-roll Charmin Bath Tissues ultra soft or ultra strong $6.99 ea

$0.25/1 or $1.00/2 Charmin Products 04/03/2011 P&G
$6.74-$6.49 ea

Idahoan Mashed Potatoes instant 13.7oz box 2/$3.00 ($1.50 ea)

$1.00/3 Idahoan Flavored Potatoes, Any Packages

$1.17 ea

Idahoan Mashed Potatoes Garlic or Baby Red 4 to 4.1oz box select varieties $0.88 ea
Pioneer Brown Gravy mix 1.61oz bag 2/$1.00 ($0.50 ea)

$0.55/2 Pioneer Brand gravy mix, any two flavors - 01-23-11 SS
Many home mailers available

$0.23 ea when you buy 2

Pioneer Country Gravy Mix 2.75oz bag $0.69 ea

$0.55/2 Pioneer Brand gravy mix, any two flavors - 01-23-11 SS

Many home mailers available

$0.42 ea when you buy 2

Act II Microwave Popcorn 6ct box select varieties $2.29 ea

$0.50/1, $1.00/2 or $0.55/1 Act II Microwave Popcorn - 3 pack or larger any variety 02/27/2011 SS
Booklets and inserts also available. Check your binders!

$1.74-$1.79 ea

Ozarka Spring Water 3 liter jug 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
3-minute Quick Grits 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
Masa Brosa corn flour or La Tamalera 4.4oz bag $1.79 ea
Ranch Style beans & Van Camps pork & beans 26 to 28oz can select varieties 5/$5.00 ($1.00 ea)
V-8 Splash fruit drink 64oz bottle select varieties $2.39 ea

$1.00/2 V8 Splash Beverage, any 46 oz or larger - 04-03-11 SS

As low as $1.89

Sun 77oz powder or 24 to 29 load 2x liquid detergent 2/$4.00 ($2.00 ea)
10-Pack Hi-C fruit drinks select varieties $1.77 ea
Libby's Vegetables 14.5 to 15.3oz select varieties 4/$3.00 ($0.75 ea)
Mrs. Cubbison Seasoned Crutons 5oz bag select varieties $0.88 ea

Tearpads and coupons from inside the package available. Check your binders!

Baywood Foods 4/20/2011-4/26/2011

2011-04-20T23:23:00.000-05:00

One last store to try... Baywood Foods. Baywood triples coupons up to $0.39 and doubles up to $0.50, and only double/triple 2 like coupons per person per day (that means no multiple transactions in order to get more double/tripled unless you come with more than 1 person, their words). They do not take internet printables. On their "with additional $10 purchase items, it is the cost before coupons. They also have a magnificent meat deal where you can get 5 items for $20. The meat items are different every day, so it's not something they can advertise, but it's still awesome and you can save $15 easily on meat doing this. I've asked if they limit how many deals you can get in one transaction, and it seems to vary with each checker. I've only done a max of 2 at a time - usually 5 packages of bacon and 5 packages of various other meats such as cuts of beef and pork chops. They have 2 locations; 301 S Brazosport Blvd, Freeport and 6721 Main St. Hitchcock.

Meat

Fresh Lean Medium Pork Spare Ribs Cry-O-Vac Limit 2 total with additional $10 purchase $1.48/lb
Fresh loin end pork chop jumbo pack Limit 2 total with additional $10 purchase $0.98/lb
Fresh Chicken Wings family pack limit 2 total with additional $10 purchase $0.88/lb
Cook's Shank Portion Hams limit 2 total with additional $10 purchase $1.28/lb
Cook's Spiral Sliced Half Hams limit 2 total with additional $10 purchase $1.78/lb
Boneless Beef Chuck Roast Jumbo Pack $2.99/lb
Boneless Beef Chuck Steaks Jumbo Pack $3.49/lb
Boneless Beef Chuck Eye Steaks $3.99/lb
Papa Jose Marinated Chicken or Beef Fajitas $2.99/lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Family Pack $1.99/lb
Ground Round Jumbo Pack $2.99/lb
Pork Spare Ribs Single Pack $1.99/lb
Catfish Fillets $4.29/lb
Holmes Smoked Sausage 14oz 2/$5 ($2.50ea)
Eckrich Smoked Sausage 3lb $6.99

$0.55/1 Eckrich Smoked Sausage, Any - 04-17-11 SS exp 5/15/2011
$0.55/1 Eckrich Product, Any Home Mailer exp 6/30/2011

Eckrich 39oz Beef Sausage $6.99

$0.55/1 Eckrich Product, Any Home Mailer exp 6/30/2011

Pilgrim's Pride Buffalo Wings 4lb $9.99
Bar-S Franks 12oz Meat, Chicken or Turkey $0.99
Eckrich Red Rind Bologna or Salami 16oz 2/$3 ($1.50ea)
Reser's Potato Salad 3lb selected variety regular or mustard $3.99

$0.55/1 Reser's Fine Foods, on any Tearpad exp 12/31/2011
Also lots of home mailers - check your coupon binders!

Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage 16oz $2.99

$1.00/2 Jimmy Dean Sausage Rolls, any - 04-17-11 RP exp 6/15/2011
$0.55/2 Jimmy Dean Sausage Rolls, any - 04-17-11 RP exp 6/15/2011
$0.75/1 Jimmy Dean's Jimmy D's Product, Any - 02-06-11 RP exp 6/30/2011
FREE Jimmy Dean Product, any - valid up to $6.99 Home Mailer exp 7/31/2011
Also lots of home mailers, peelies, and blinkies - check your coupon binders!

Bar-S Sliced Bacon 12oz $2.79

Grocery

Bounty Basic paper towels 6 rolls $3.99

$1.00/1 Bounty Basic towel, 6 ct or larger Home Mailer 6/30/2011
$2.00/1 Bounty Towels, 6 roll or higher or 2 Towels or Napkins any size exp Inside Package 10/31/2012
$1.00/1 Bounty Towels, 6 roll or higher or 2 Towels or Napkins any size Inside Package exp 10/31/2012
$1.00/1 Bounty Towels, 6 Roll Ct., Any (1) OR Towel Or Napkin, (2) Any Size Inside Package exp 9/30/2012
$1.00/1 Bounty Towel, 6-Ct. +, Any (Limit 4 Like Coupons in Same Shopping Trip) - P&G Everyday Savings Booklet exp 6/30/2011
$1.00/1 Bounty Towel, 6-Ct. +, Any (Limit 4 Like Coupons in Same Shopping Trip) - P&G Everyday Savings Booklet exp 4/30/2011
$1.00/2 Bounty Paper Towels, Any Inside Package exp
12/31/2011

Kraft BBQ Sauce 18oz Selected Variety $0.88

$1.00/1 Soda, 2L or 6pk WYB (2) Kraft products Tearpad 04/30/11
$1.00/1 A.1. and (1) Kraft BBQ sauce Tearpad 06/30/2011

A1 Steak Sauce 10oz $2.99

$1.00/1 A.1. and (1) Kraft BBQ sauce Tearpad 06/30/2011
$1.00/1 A1 Steak Sauce or Marinade (10 oz or larger) - 04-10-11 SS exp 5/8/2011

Parade Charcoal 7-8lb 2/$5 ($2.50ea)
Parade Squeeze Ketchup 20oz $0.79ea
Parade Aluminum Foil 12x25sq ft $0.77ea
Value Star Foam Plates 40ct $0.88
Lay's Potato Chips pre priced $3.99, 2/$6 ($3 ea)

$1.00/2 Lay's Potato Chips (10 oz. +), Any - Limit One Coupon Per Customer - 03-13-11 SS exp 5/2/2011
$0.55/1 Lay's potato chips, any 10oz or larger (limit one coupon per customer) - 03-13-11 SS exp 5/2/2011

Fritos Corn Chips pre priced $3.49, 2/$5, ($2.50ea)
Parade Hamburger Sliced Dill Pickles 32oz 2/$3 ($1.50ea)
French's Squeeze Mustard 20oz $1.29

$0.30/1 French's Classic Yellow Mustard, any - 04-10-11 SS exp 6/10/2011

Niagra Drinking Water 2/$5 ($2.50ea)
Parade Vegetables 15oz Selected Variety 3/$1 ($0.34ea) limit 6 with additional $10 purchase

Cut or French style green beans
Whole kernel or cream corn
Mixed vegetables
Sweet peas

La Costena Whole Jalapenos 26oz $0.99ea
Maseca Corn Flour 4.4lb $2.49ea
D'Gari Gelatin Mix 6oz $0.79ea
La Lechera Sweetened Condensed Milk 14oz
Topo Chico Mineral Water 1.5lt $1.29ea
Coca-Cola 12 pk cans 4/$11 limit 4 combine total with additional $10 purchase

Lots of hangtags, peelies, winetags, mailers, and tearpads available. Check your binders!

Coke
Diet Coke
Sprite
Mr. Pibb
Minute Maid
Nestea
Barq's Root Beer
Etc.

Jarritos Sodas 1.5lt Selected Variety $0.99

$1.00/4 $1.00/4 Jarritos Buy 4 or more bottles of Jarritos 13.5 oz Winetag/Hangtag exp 12/31/11

Jumex Fruit Nectars 11oz all variety 5/$2 ($0.40ea)
Blue Bell Ice Cream Half Gallon All Variety 3/$12 ($4 ea)
Powerade Sports Drinks 32oz all variety $0.69

$1.00/3 Powerade ION4, any 32oz Hangtag exp 4/30/2011
$1.00/3 FUZE, smartwater, POWERADE ION4, POWERADE ZERO, vitaminwater, or vitaminwater zero (any variety, any size) Hangtag exp 4/30/2011
$1.00/2 $1.00/2 Powerade 32oz bottles Tearpad exp 05/31/11

Kraft Cool Whip Topping 8oz $0.99

Many blinkies and tearpads available - check your binder!

Blue Bonnet Spread 45oz $1.99
Nabisco Ritz Crackers 16oz $1.99
Mission White Corn Tortillas 80ct $2.19
Mission flour Tortillas 16ct $1.99

$1.00/1 Mission flour tortillas, any package Tearpad exp 6/1/2011
$1.00/1 Mission Tortillas Peelie exp 04/30/11

Calidad Tortilla Chips 12oz $0.99
Parade All Purpose Flour 58lb (this doesn't sound right, but it's what the ad says) 2/$3 ($1.50ea)
Wesson or Best Blend Oil 48oz $2.49

$1.00/2 Wesson Oil, any - 04-03-11 SS exp 5/15/2011
$0.40/1 Wesson Oil, any - 04-03-11 SS exp 5/15/2011
$1.00/1 $1.00/1 Wesson Oil (48 oz or larger) ConAgra Save over $35 coupon booklet exp 06/30/11

Stars & Stripes Soft Drinks 12pk cans all varieties 2/$5 ($2.50ea)
Parade Tomato Sauce 8oz 4/$1
Duncan Hines Cake Mixes 18oz Selected Varieties $0.99
Soft & Silky bath tissue 4 rolls $0.79
Old Orchard Apple Juice 64oz 2/$3 ($1.50ea)

Lots of winetags, hangtags, mailers, peelies, tearpads, and mailers. Check your binders!

Parade Instant Potatoes 13.3oz $0.99
Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce 26oz all variety $0.99

B4G1 Hunt's Tomato Sauce/Paste - All You, April 2011 - valid up to $0.47 exp 5/31/2011
$0.50/1 Hunt's product, any Home Mailer exp 10/19/2011
$0.50/1 Hunt's product, any Home Mailer exp 7/13/2011

Lone Star Mini Chunk Dog Food 18lb $4.99
Kraft Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip 32oz $2.99

$0.75/1 Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip, Any 22 oz. + - 04-10-11 SS 5/8/2011
$1.50/2 Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip Dressings, any 22 oz or larger - 04-10-11 SS exp 5/8/2011
$1.00/2 Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip Dressings, any 22 oz or larger - 04-10-11 SS 5/8/2011\

Dole Pineapple 20oz $0.99

$0.50/2 Dole Pineapple or Tropical Fruit, any cans - 04-10-11 SS exp 6/30/2011
$1.00/3 Dole Pineapple or Tropical Fruit, any cans 04/10/2011 SS exp 06/30/11

Kraft Velveeta Cheese 32oz pre-priced $5.99 $4.99

Lots of tearpads, peelies, and home mailers. Check your binders!

Parade Diced Tomatoes 10oz 2/$1 ($0.50ea)
Parade half or sliced Peaches 29oz $0.99
Chicken of the Sea Tuna in oil or water 5oz $0.69
Fab Ultra Detergent 32 Loads Powder $3.39
Mrs. Biard's Bread 20-24oz extra thin white or 100% whole wheat $1.99
Santitas Tortilla Chips pre-priced $2.00 3/$5 ($1.67ea)
Heinz Relish 10oz sweet, dill, or hot dog $0.99
Honey Boy Pink Salmon 14.8oz $1.99
Kraft Salad Dressing 16oz selected variety $1.99

$1.00/2 Kraft dressing, any 14-16oz - 04-10-11 SS exp 5/8/2011
Also lots of snail mail, tearpads, peelies, and booklets. Check your binders!

Parade instant light charcoal 6.7lb $3.88
Ozarka Spring Water 3lt $0.99
Kraft Grated Parmesan 8oz pre priced $3.49, $2.99
Parade Self Rising Flour 5lb bag $1.69

Produce

Fresh Yellow Corn 6/$2 ($0.34ea)
Russet Potatoes 5lb bag $0.99
Extra Large Cantaloupes $1.98ea
Broccoli 2/$3
Iceberg Lettuce $0.88
Whole Mushroom 16oz Texas $2.28
Fresh Express Spring Mix or Baby Spinach Salad $1.98

$0.55/1 Fresh Express Package Salad, any - 04-03-11 SS exp 5/31/2011
$0.50/1 Fresh Express Salad, any package 04/03/2011 SS exp 05/31/11

White or Yellow Onions 2lbs/$0.78 ($0.39/lb)
Fresh Zucchine Squash $0.68/lb
Large Florida Green Bell Peppers 2/$0.88 ($0.44ea)
Welch's Seedless Red Grapes $1.98/lb
Fresh Mustard or Collard Greens $0.78ea
Snack Size California Navel Oranges 7/$1 ($0.15 ea)
Fresh Jalapeno Peppers 2lbs/$1 ($0.50/lb)
Mexican Limes 12/$1 ($0.09ea)
Fresh Mexican Tomatillos $0.78/lb
1lb Package Fresh Strawberries $1.98/lb
California Crisp Celery $0.78

Refrigerated/Frozen

Ore Ida French Fries 28-32oz all variety 2/$5 ($2.50ea)

$1.00/2 Ore-Ida Products, 20 oz or larger - 04-03-11 SS exp 4/30/2011

Totino's Pizza Rolls 19oz $2.99

$0.35/1 Totino's Pizza Rolls snacks any flavor /Variety - 01-30-11 SS exp 4/23/2011
$0.40/2 Totino's Rolls Snacks, any - 04-17-11 SS exp 7/9/2011
$0.40/2 Totino's® Rolls Snacks, Any Kroger Shortcuts mailer exp 4/27/2011
$1.00/2 Totino's rolls snacks - 01-30-11 SS exp 4/23/2011

Fisherboy Fish Sticks 8oz 2/$3 ($1.50ea)
Eggo Waffles 20ct Selected Variety $1.79

$0.75/1 Kellogg's FiberPlus Eggo Waffles, any 8 ct - 04-17-11 RP (if included) exp 6/12/2011
Lots of home mailers, tearpads, peelies, package inserts, and booklets. Check your binder!

Minute Maid 59oz Orange Juice $2.88
Simply Orange 1.75lt Orange Juice $2.88

$0.50/1 Simply Lemonade, Simply Orange, or Simply Apple ANY SIZE Walgreens Diabetes & You Magazine, Spring 2011 exp 06/30/11
Lots of blinkies available. Check your binder!

Pillsbury Grand Biscuits 16oz Selected Varieties 4/$5 ($1.25ea)

$0.40/3 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 04-17-11 SS exp 7/9/2011
$0.30/2 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 04-17-11 SS exp 7/9/2011
$1.00/3 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$1.00/3 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 10.2 oz, Sweet Rolls 7.3 oz, Crescents 4 oz or Grands Jr. Biscuits 6 oz - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$0.40/3 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$0.30/2 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$0.30/3 Pillsbury Small Sized Grands! Biscuits (10.2 Oz.), Sweet Rolls (7.3 Oz.), Crescents (4 Oz.) Or Grands Jr. Biscuits (6 Oz.), Any - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$0.30/2 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, Any Kroger Shortcuts mailer 4/27/2011
$1.00/3 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 02-13-11 GM exp 5/7/2011
$0.30/2 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 02-13-11 GM exp 5/7/2011
$0.40/3 Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits, any - 02-13-11 GM exp 5/7/2011
Also, lots of peelies and home mailers available

Kraft American Singles 12oz $1.99

$0.55/1 Kraft Singles or Kraft deli Deluxe Process American Cheese Slices (any variety), any (DND5) - Kraft Food & Family "Make Today Delicious" exp 12/31/2011

Pillsbury Cinnamon or Crescent Rolls 8ct selected varieties 2/$3 ($1.50ea)

$1.00/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, any - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$1.00/3 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 10.2 oz, Sweet Rolls 7.3 oz, Crescents 4 oz or Grands Jr. Biscuits 6 oz - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$0.40/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls, any - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
$0.30/3 Pillsbury Small Sized Grands! Biscuits (10.2 Oz.), Sweet Rolls (7.3 Oz.), Crescents (4 Oz.) Or Grands Jr. Biscuits (6 Oz.), Any - 03-13-11 SS exp 6/4/2011
1.00/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls - 01-30-11 SS exp 4/23/2011
$0.40/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls - 01-30-11 SS exp 4/23/2011
$0.50/2 Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls, Any Kroger Shortcuts mailer exp 4/27/2011
Also, lots of peelies, blinkies, and mailers available.

Daisy Brand Sour Cream 16oz $1.69

Blinkies, Tearpads, and home mailers available. Check your binders!

Reddi Wip Whipped Cream 7oz Selected Varieties $1.99

$1.00/2 Reddi Wip any - 04-10-11 SS exp 5/22/2011
$0.35/1 Reddi Wip any - 04-10-11 SS exp 5/22/2011
$1.00/2 Reddi-Wip, any - All You, April 2011 exp 5/31/2011

Borden Milk Half Gallon, Homogenized, Hipro, Lite Line, Skim or Chocolate $2.39
Borden Orange Juice Gallon $3.29
Tampico Citrus Punch Gallon Selected Varieties $1.69
Oak Farms Orange Juice Gallon $3.79
Oak Farms Choco Loco Gallon $1.99
Oak Farms Cottage Cheese 16oz Selected Varieties $2.09
Mrs. Smith's Pies 37oz $3.99

Apple
Cherry
Peach
Dutch Apple
Blueberry

Food Rite 4/20-4/26/2011

2011-04-20T20:20:00.001-05:00

Food Rite
5320 FM 1765
Texas City, TX 77591
409-938-1350

I called and spoke with a manager today. They do take internet printable coupons as long as they scan. All coupons are for face value only. They do not limit how many products or coupons you can purchase at one time (ex, if you want 20 boxes of cereal and have 20 coupons for said boxes, you can buy it). Next time I visit I'll try to see if I can get any sort of official coupon policy. They don't have a website, which makes it even more difficult.

Fresh Meat & Poultry

Beef Short Ribs $2.69/lb
Shoulder Steak $2.69/lb
Shoulder Roast $2.49/lb
Pork Neck Bones $0.89/lb
Chicken Drum or Thigh $0.79/lb
Hen Thigh $0.99/lb
Chicken Tenders $1.69/lb
10lb Bag of Leg Quarters $5.99/lb ($0.59/lb!)
Pig feet $0.99/lb
Pig tail $1.19/lb
Small Ribs Pork Spare Ribs $1.90/lb
Summer Sausage $4.59/lb
Liver Loaf (John Morrell pictured) $4.99/lb
Stuffed chicken breast $2.59/lb
Whole Brisket $1.89/lb

Produce

Sweet DelMonte Cantaloupe $0.89/ea
California Strawberries (1lb package) 2/$4 ($2/lb!)
Fresh Juicy Persian Limes 20/$1 ($0.05 each!)
Washington Small Gala Apples 6/$1 ($0.17 each!)
California Small Seedless Navel Oranges 10/$1 ($0.10 each!)
Sweet Ripe Mangos from Mexico 5/$2 ($0.40 each!)
Dole Classic Romaine Salad (9 oz. bag) $1.19 each
Fresh Mushrooms (8oz package) $1.00 each
Fresh Green Onions Bunch 3/$1
New Crop White Onions 4lbs/$1 (just $0.25/lb!)
California Mini Peeled Carrot 1lb bag $0.79 each
Fresh Calabacita Squash 2lbs/$1

Dairy

Daisy Sour Cream Regular or Light 16 oz $1.69
Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheeses 8oz Package Select Varieties 2/$5 ($2.50 each)

$1.00/2 Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese 03/13/2011 SS exp 04/24/11
$1.00/1 Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese with a Touch of Philadelphia - No More Prints Available expires 05/10/11
$0.50/1 Kraft natural shredded cheese with Philadelphia (if included)
There are also several blinkies from other stores - check your binders!

Bluebonnet Soft Spread Regular or Light 45oz tub $1.99
Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8oz brick select varieties 2/$3

Several peelies and booklets have been available, check your binder!

Pillsbury ready to Bake Cookies 16 oz select varieties $2.99ea

$1.00/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough

$0.55/1 Pillsbury Simply... refrigerated cookie dough (if Simply is included) 02/13/2011 GM exp 5/7/11

$1.00/2 Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough 02/13/2011 GM exp 5/7/11

Minute Maid Premium or Simply Orange Juice 64oz to 1.76 ltr. select flavors $2.88 ea
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 8ct Roll Select Varieties 4/$5 ($1.25 ea)

$0.30/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Grands Biscuits 04/17/2011 SS exp 7/9/2011
$0.40/3 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands! biscuits 02/13/2011 GM exp 5/7/2011
$0.40/3 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits - any 03/13/2011 SS exp 6/4/2011
$1.00/2 Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits
$0.30/2 Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits

Sunny Delight Citrus Punch 64oz bottle $0.99ea

$0.25/1 Sunny D 01/16/2011 SS exp 4/30/2011

Borden 1/2 Gallon Milk Assorted $2.19ea

$0.75/Borden Milk, 1 gallon or 2 half gallons

Borden Red Diamond Tea Sweet & Unsweet 1 Gallon 2/$4 ($2/each)

Grocery

King's Hawaiian Roll 12 oz 2/$5 ($2.50 ea)

$3.50 off Fresh pork WYB King's Hawaiian sandwich Rolls and any varity of Kingsford Charcoal 03/13/2011 SS exp 5/15/2011

Bundt Creme Cakes 42oz Select Varieties $5.99ea
12 ct Brown & Serve Rolls $0.99 ea
Blue Bell Ice Cream Cups 12 ct 2/$7 ($3.50ea)
Blue Bell Ice Cream 1/2 Gallon, All Rims 2/$8 ($4 ea)

$1.00/1 Blue Bell Ice Cream - Must join Blue Bell Country Club (Under Extra Scoops)

OreIda Frozen Crinkle Cut Potatoes 2lb Package Select Varieties 2$/5 ($2.50ea)
Swanson's Pot Pies 7oz box $0.66 ea
Mrs. Smith Pies 37oz Select varieties $3.99 ea
Jose Ole Chimichangas 5oz Package Select Varieties 4/$3 (0.75 ea)

$1.00/1 Jose Ole, any product

Totino's Pizza Rolls 40 ct pack select varieties $2.99/ea
- $0.40/2 Totino's Pizza Rolls Snacks 01/30/2011 SS exp 4/23/2011

$0.35/1 Totinos Pizza Rolls 01/30/2011 SS exp 4/23/2011
$0.50/2 Totinos Products
$0.40/2 Totinos Rolls Snacks 04/17/2011 SS exp 7/9/2011

Cool Whip Topping 8oz tub select varieties $0.99ea
Eggo Waffles 10ct box select varities $1.79ea

$1.00/2 Eggo Frozen Waffles ~ no more prints!

$0.75/1 Kellogg's FiberPlus Eggo Waffles (if included and the store carries these - remember it's a small store) 04/17/2011 RP2 exp 6/12/2011

$0.75/2 Kellogg's Eggo Frozen products 5.3oz+ 03/13/2011 RP exp 5/8/2011

Delimex Taquito 25oz $4.99ea
Cleaned Bagged Crabs 1dozen $5.99ea
Bar S Frank-Bologna-Salami-Spiced Luncheon 12 oz (Beef excluded) $0.99ea

$1.00/1 Bar-S product, any - IP from facebook promo

Holmes Sausage 14oz 2/$5 ($2.50ea)
Jimmy Dean Sausage Roll 1lb $2.99ea

$1.00/2 Jimmy Dean Sausage Rolls, any - 04-17-11 RP
$1.00/1 Jimmy Dean, any product ~ no more prints! exp 6/15/2011

Eckrich Sausage 3lb Package $6.99ea

$0.55/1 Eckrich Smocked Sausage, Any - 04-17-11 SS exp 5/15/2011

Parade All Purpose Flour 5lb bag $1.49ea
Parade Self Rising Flour 5lb bag $1.49ea
Del Monte 4-pack Fruit & Fruit N Gel Cups, 4oz cups select varities $1.69ea
Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallows 10oz bag $1.19ea
Wesson Cooking Oil Vegetable or Blend 48oz bottle $2.49ea

$1.00/2 Wesson Oil 04/03/2011 SS exp 5/15/2011
$0.40/1 Wesson Oil 04/03/2011 SS exp 5/15/2011

Wesson Canola Corn Oil $2.99ea

$1.00/2 Wesson Oil 04/03/2011 SS exp 5/15/2011
$0.40/1 Wesson Oil 04/03/2011 SS exp 5/15/2011

Fab Detergent Powdered or 2x Liquid 32 Load, Select Varieties $3.39ea
Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite 18 pack cans $13.99ea
Parade Charcoal Regular, Mesquite or Hickory 2/$5 ($2.50ea)
Duncan Hines Cake Mix 18.25oz Box $0.99ea
Kraft Salad Dressing 16oz bottle select varieties $1.99ea
24-pack Niagara Drinking Water .5 ltr. bottles 2/$5 ($2.50 ea)
Folgers Coffee 27.8 to 33.9 oz select varieties, excludes 100% Columbian $7.00 ea

$1.00/1 Folger's Coffee, 3 oz+
$1.00/1 Folgers Coffees 3oz+ no gourmet selections K-cups portions packs 04/10/2011 RP exp 5/14/2011
$1.00/1 Folgers Gourmet Selections Coffee excludes Folgers Gourmet Selections K-Cup Portion Packs 04/10/2011 RP exp 6/30/2011
$2.00/1 Folgers ~ no more prints! exp 4/27/2011

Nabisco Ritz Crackers 16oz Box Select Varieties $1.99ea
Parade Squeeze Ketchup 20oz bottle $0.79ea
Parade Pinto Beans 2lb bag $0.99ea
Orville Redenbacher Microwave Popcorn 3ct box select varieties $3/5 ($1.67ea)

$1.00/2 Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn Pop Up Bowl, 3-Pk. +, Any - 04-17-11 SS exp 6/15/2011
$0.55/1 Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn Pop Up Bowl, any 3-pack or larger- 04-17-11 SS exp 6/15/11
Also, lots of tearpads and home mailers available. Check your binders!

Rosedale Tomatoes Stew, Whole or Diced 14.5 oz can 2/$1 ($0.50ea)
Parade Long Grain Rice 4lb bag $1.69ea
Jarritos Soda Drink 1.5 Ltr Bottle Select Flavors $0.99 ea
3-Minute Quick Oats Old Fashion or With Bran 18oz Size $0.99ea
Palmolive Ultra Dish Liquids 20 to 25oz Bottle $2.19ea

$0.75/1 Palmolive Dish Liquid, any 20 oz or larger (SS en espanol) - 03-27-11 SS exp 5/1/2011
$1.00/1 Palmolive Ultra Dish Liquid, Any 20 Oz. Or Larger - Sign Up Required, eCentives Coupon
Lots of home mailers and hangtags available too!

Parade Vegetables your choice, selected varieties 3/$1 ($0.34 ea)

Doritos 11.5 to 12 oz pre-priced $3.99 $1.99ea
Minute Maid Fruit Punch 10-pouch 100% juice excluded 2/$4 ($2ea)
Chicken of the Sea Tuna in Water & Oil 5oz can $0.69ea
Hunts Spaghetti Sauce 6.5oz can select varieties $0.99ea
Parade Sugar 4lb Bag $1.99ea
Value Star Foam Plates 40ct Package $0.88ea
12-pack Stars & Stripes Cola 12oz Cans Select Flavors 2/$4 ($2 ea)
Parade Tomato Sauce 8oz cans select flavors $4/1 ($0.25ea)
Barrilotos Drinks 12oz Bottles Select Flavors 2/$1 ($0.50ea)
Jumex Nectars 11.3oz Can Select Varities 5/$2 ($0.40ea)
Glory Seasoned Greens 27oz can select varities $1.49ea
Post Honey Bunches of Oats 18oz Box Select Varieties 2/$5.99 ($3 ea)
Maseca Corn Flour or La Tamalera 4.4lb bag $2.49ea
Abuelita Chocolate Tablets 19oz $2.49ea
La Lechera Sweet Condensed Milk 14oz can select varieties 2/$3 ($1.50ea)
La Lechera Squeeze Condensed Milk 15.8oz Bottle $2.59ea
Wyler's Drink Mix makes 2 quarts, select flavors 10/$1.00 ($0.10 ea)
Parade Saltine Crackers regular, fat free, or unsalted 16oz box $1.19 ea

Coupon Matchups?

2011-04-20T18:08:00.000-05:00

I have to say, after attempting my first post on coupon matchups, I have a new respect for those of you who do these regularly. I decided to take on a store that I've never seen before because it's right down the street from my house, Food Rite in Texas City, TX. I've been looking at their ads and never really took them seriously because I just assumed that without double/triples from ~~Kroger~~ I wouldn't save as much. I'm pleasantly surprised that there are a few really good deals to be had! I'll have them up in a few minutes, hopefully. Wish me luck and don't be too hard on me if the matchups suck. :)

For old time's sake... last Kroger trip

2011-04-11T21:00:00.006-05:00

My son just insisted on getting in the shot. LOL

My most recent, and probably last, trip to Kroger unless they change back their coupon policy or give a better reward program. Before any discounts it was $189 and change. After discounts and coupons it was $79.64. WIC paid $5.93, so my out of pocket total was $73.71. This is money that Kroger is no longer gonna get, including the $0.08 handling fee (and most recently I found out that most stores get an additional handling fee of over $5 per 1,000 coupons - thank you Hip2Save for the information)!

Here's my basic breakdown:

4-Frank's Hot Sauce $0.99 each, used $0.50 off that doubled

4-Yakisoba noodles $0.88 each, used $0.50 off that doubled to the $0.88 amount

1-Cuties 3lb bag $2.99, used $0.55 off coupon

1-Kroger medium eggs $1.43/dozen

1-Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn $1.50, used $1.00 off

2-Pillsbury Sweet Moments on clearance for $1.59, used $0.75 off coupon (the cashier tried to tell me that coupons don't work on discounted items, she tried it anyway and it worked)

4-Ken's Salad Dressing $1.99, used 1.00 off coupon

3-Suave deodorant $1.09, used $0.50 off coupon that doubled

4-Viva Paper Towels Big Roll $1.97, used $0.40 off coupon that doubled

1-Kroger value chicken thighs $5.57

10-Community Coffee 12 oz bags $3.99, used buy 1 get one free coupon

10-Assorted marked down bakery breads on clearance ranging from $0.99-$1.79, used $1.00 off any bakery item when you buy Community Coffee peelies from the coffee

1-Jumbo cantaloupe $1.50

2-Bananas $0.42

2-Butter $2.77, used $0.50 off 2 store mailer

1-Pork Shoulder Butt Steaks $9.01

5-Kroger frozen vegetables 10-12 oz $0.88 each

1-Kroger marinated beef fajitas 2lb bag $5.98

1-Private Selection ice cream $4.49, used $0.75 off store mailer

3-Kroger branded sodas $0.76

1-Toy from the gumball machine $0.50 (not included in the total)

Manufacturer coupon savings $44.10

Bonus coupon savings $6.58

Kroger plus savings $56.35

You saved $61.68 with your plus card

Total savings (56%) $107.03

(edited to add) I forgot to mention that I also had a $5 off $50 coupon that was mailed to me from Kroger to attempt to keep me loyal. *sigh* Whatever

I also used 38 manufacturer coupons. Basing the $0.08 handling for each one, that's $3.04 just in additional handling for the coupons.(/edit)

Quite frankly, I used to do this well with sales at HEB, and at the time I only used their little yellow in-store coupons. I would frequent their meal deals and have everything I needed, and more, to create a great meal or two for my family. I was also disappointed that they were out of the French's Worcestershire sauce. It's a product that I've learned to use and makes some yummy meat, but I'm all out of it myself. It would've been free after coupon too. I also didn't find the KC Masterpiece that I had read about being on closeout for $1.19, which would've made it $0.19 after doubled coupon. Maybe there'll be 1 last last trip to Kroger tomorrow for the Worcestershire sauce because I really do want some. It actually won't be out of the way considering my son's PreK is pretty close (and even closer to the HEB!).

Kroger to end double/triple coupons

2011-03-28T14:11:00.000-05:00

OK, I'll admit that I haven't been updating in a while, but I haven't had much to update. I'm still couponing and saving about $20 a week on my grocery bill. I've paired down the blogs I normally read because it was just getting too overwhelming (If I missed 1 day, I'd have over 1,000 posts to sift through). I follow a few that are super in-depth and ones that are store specific and local. I just don't have the time to keep up with EVERYTHING and all, yknow.

All in all, I felt this to be something important to make further known. Kroger has announced that in Houston and the surrounding areas, they will be ending their coupon policy of doubling and tripling! How insane is that! I have to admit that there are 2 reasons I frequent Kroger - the doubling and tripling of coupons and using the fuel rewards. Kroger is further away from me than my Wal-Mart and now Wal-Mart has adapted their policy to allow for overage on any coupons! Let's see... Kroger stopped allowing overage (thus pocketing the money from the manufacturers) and now they're stopping tripling and doubling coupons. Where am I more likely to shop? My answer? The more coupon friendly location!

I'm not going to go into all the details because quite frankly I'm not versed enough in them, but Stephanie from Katy Couponers has a post with all the details she's found out so far here. You can also join the FaceBook group Kroger Couponers to follow what's going on. And if you'll like to change your shopping habits to Wal-Mart, might I suggest the blog I Heart the Mart. They've posted their take on Wal-Mart's new policies as well as early tests to see how well it works.

My opinion is that Kroger is shooting themselves in the foot with this new policy. What do you think?

How to be a Couponer Class available in the Houston area!

2011-01-12T13:27:00.000-06:00

Stephanie from Katy Couponers will be hosting a "How to be a Couponer" class with her friend and fellow super couponer Courtney on Saturday January 29th. I've been following her blog for about a year and a half and let me just tell you she scores some awesome deals! I'd highly recommend this class and for $10 it's definitely a steal! More details and the sign up list is here. Hope to see you there!

Personal Question to the Coupon Information Corporation: Is Coupon Overage Fraud?

2011-01-09T18:26:00.001-06:00

Walgreen's has done it again! I went to the one in my local area which tends to be hit or miss for me regarding coupons. There's one cashier in particular that says to me outright that she doesn't mind doing multiple transactions for me because more money saved is more money in my pocket and that helps everyone out. I like her. A lot. I wish I knew her schedule. I'd only shop when she was there. The head manager is pretty cool too. Over Christmas time when Wags changed their policy on the Super Jingle Cash Register Rewards, the manager gave me $5 cash. Cash, folks! That can be used A-N-Y-W-H-E-R-E in the United States! I was impressed!

The majority of the cashiers there are unfortunately like the one I had yesterday. She gave me a difficult time rolling the register rewards and almost refused to allow me to use the $5 off 2 L'Oreal coupon on 2 discounted L'Oreal lipsticks. I mean, come on! This is ridiculous! She then proceeded to tell me that overage is coupon fraud. I told her I've researched it over and over. It's not fraud. She tried to tell me she was more versed in coupons than I was, so she was going to let it drop because she didn't want to argue.

Whatever.

This prompted me to contact the Coupon Information Corporation. From their website:

The CIC is a not-for-profit association of consumer product manufacturers dedicated to fighting coupon misredemption and fraud.

The CIC and its members have worked with Federal, State and local Law Enforcement officials on every significant coupon fraud case since CIC began operations in 1986.

As of this time, CIC has not lost a single case.

Woo hoo! Score! If anyone can tell me a definitive answer, they can, right? I contacted them on a Saturday and didn't expect an answer till Monday. Wow was I mistaken! I got an answer today (Sunday).

Comments:

I have a question on whether or not this constitutes coupon fraud. I am an avid couponer and I do not want to commit fraud, and I do not believe I am, but I would like clarification. If a coupon amount is larger than the amount of the product, is it fraudulent use on my part to use that coupon? Is the retailer required to give me the full coupon value? This mostly, but not always, occurs when using a coupon on a clearance item, and sometimes, but not as frequently, on regularly priced or sale items.

For example.
$0.97 Reach Dental Floss
$1.00 Reach Manufactures Coupon
--------
$0.03 profit for the consumer, normally "spent" on other items in the same transaction.

Normally the difference is small such as this one, but I have come across occurrences where it's even a matter of $1 to $2. Some stores are happy to give me the "overage" towards other items since they will be fully reimbursed for the coupon face value. Other stores have adjusted the value of the coupon down and kept the difference of the value of the coupon. Still others adjust the price of the product up so the coupon and the item is evenly priced. Would you please clarify this issue for me?

Thank you,
~CoupoNewbie

And their reply:

Edmund Miller
Sun, Jan 9, 2011 at 9:53 AM

Thank you for your inquiry CoupoNewbie

This is an administrative problem that the industry has yet to resolve. As you noted, some stores provide overage, others do not and there are reasonable arguments for both sides. Regardless, the manufacturers generally do not consider this to be fraudulent in nature. OF course consumers have to abide by the terms and conditions of both the coupon and the stores' policies. Regardless of the position, I have never heard anyone in the industry suggest that type of activity is fraudulent.

Of course, stores have the ultimate authority on whether or not they are going to accept a coupon and how many from each person.

Best Wishes
Bud

Well, at least now I know for sure that I won't be committing fraud going to Wal-Mart or Kroger for the overage. I don't like that Walgreens and Target have decided to pocket what probably ends up being hundreds of thousands of dollars in overage instead of passing it on to the consumer. I mean, more money available means more items purchased and making their bottom line look better. I mean, you can have the gross profit of having extra money for no product and extra product on your shelves leading to more items on clearance or getting rid of stuff in a timely manner. I'd rather have my customers thinking I had fresh product more often than thinking I couldn't move items.

Anyone have any opinions?

Extreme Hoarders on TLC

2010-12-30T20:20:00.003-06:00

We're watching the TLC new show called Extreme Couponers. Wanna talk about making us sound like insane hoarders? The first lady got over $1,200 worth of products for $50. This was on top of her current stockpile that could last over 3 years and toilet paper for 40 years. These people are insane! I know I need to step up my game a little, but there's no way I'm gonna dedicate multiple rooms (yes, plural) in my house and need carS to take a grocery trip home.

Grocery University on a Cyber Monday deal! Great price, so don't miss out!

2010-11-28T20:41:00.000-06:00

For anyone interested in really, really learning how to coupon, right now is the best time ever! Whether you're a newbie or an old pro, the Grocery University audio course can help you learn how to save even more! Even better, it's on a Cyber Monday deal starting now. The class that is normally $24.95 is on special for only $5. This rate only lasts until 6am Mountain time. After that time it goes up by $1 an hour through 9am Mountain time. After midnight, however, it goes back up to $24.95 again. This is a GREAT deal for a couponing course, so it's definitely worth it! Head on over to Grocery University and sign up ASAP!

Baywood Foods - another 5 for $20 deal

2010-11-18T21:42:00.001-06:00

We went through all the meat from last week's Baywood Foods shopping trip. I still don't have a meat stockpile, so I'm having to buy week-to-week. The local Kroger doesn't have that super great deals on their reduced-for-quick-sale items, so I'm doing this instead. Again, I figure the meat alone would've been $31.25 this time, but I got it all for $19.99. One thing I'm disappointed with is how they enter this deal into their registers. Instead of individual items, it goes in as "Pick 5 Meat" and then gets a "Pick 5 Meat Discount" of $4.96. This ensures I won't be able to use any coupons to make this deal better. :( This store also doubles coupons up to $0.50, so I know I could've at least saved another dollar on the Tennessee Pride sausage biscuits. At least I get a discount in general.

Tennessee Pride Biscuits $5.50
Flat Iron Steaks $5.05
Shoulder Steaks $5.68
Assorted Pork Chops $4.91
Sirloin Pork Chops $5.09

Paid $19.99 for above items instead of the prices listed due to the deal.

Shake N Bake Parmesan $2.39
Parade Seasoned Bread Crumbs $1.18
5 pound bag of white potatoes $1.48
Yams $.34
Soft & Silky Paper Towels $0.68
Soft & Silky Bath Tissue $0.98

I thought the TP was marked $0.88, but PreK Newbie was acting up really, really badly in the line so not only did I not get to watch the register, but I didn't get a chance to debate the dime. I'll deal with it.

I'm not too super concerned with the high out of pocket expense because of how much meat I bought. I see it as having saved $11.23 on those meals and basically got each item for $3.99 each. This is why I'm sure to pick the highest costing meat with the "Buy 5" labels on them.

Jack In The Box and Wal-Mart

2010-11-16T20:34:00.001-06:00

Today I had to head to Wal-Mart to pick up Mr. Newbie's prescription. I knew there were a few good deals to be had with printable coupons, and I knew I had printed them, so I ended up spending most of the afternoon clipping and sorting my printables. I'm glad I did. The house we moved into has a huge back yard and lots of trees, so I've been wanting a bird feeder. I remembered I had printed two $2 off Scott's wild bird feed coupon and it was less than $2 at Wal-Mart. I almost didn't see them and got the bell shaped ones that were $2.14 each, which still wouldn't have been bad at all, considering I still had to buy a bird feeder. As it was, the bird feed cost $1.44 and $1.48 giving me $1.08 overage to go towards the $1.97 for the feeder (costing me $0.87 in the end after overage for the Wholly Guacamole). The Guac was $3.98 and I used a $4.00 off printable making it a $0.02 money maker also. I was out of meat that I had gotten from Baywood Foods last week and I still don't have a meat stockpile, so I had to get us something. I opted for some marked down beer brats for something easy.

Here's my totals:

Suet $1.44, used $2.00 printable, $0.56 money maker

Suet $1.48, used $2.00 printable, $0.52 money maker

Wholly Guacamole $3.98, used $4.00 printable, $0.02 money maker

Suet Feeder $1.97

Beer Brats $2.79

Prescription $10.00

WIC:

Sara Lee bread $1.97 (used last $0.55 off coupon to go toward my out of pocket total, but looks like it mde the WIC OOP lower)

Great Value 2% Milk $2.54

Total: $26.17

WIC Total: $3.96

Coupons: $8.55

OOP: $13.66

Not too bad for a $10 prescription being involved! I'm so glad we stopped at Jack In The Box for our 2 free tacos before we went. I was so hungry I probably would've bought out the entire store! LOL

Baywood Foods Shopping Trip

2010-11-12T20:45:00.001-06:00

I had heard that there was a store in town that was good for getting good deals on meat. I heard they had a "Pick 5 for $19.99" deal at that store. It appears to be how they do reduced for quick sale. So, of the items I wanted I definitely picked out the ones that had the highest tag value. I figure that the meat and sausage biscuits alone would've been $31.10 before that discount. I figure I did pretty well here.

Tennessee Pride Sausage Biscuits 12 pack (according to the Tennessee Pride website they would've been $5.50)

Boneless Beef Sirloin Tip Steak. 1.31lbs @ $4.19/lb = $5.49

Pork Steaks 2.02lbs @ $2.79/lb = $5.64

Boneless Flat Iron Steak 1.25lbs @ $4.39/lb = $5.49

Sliced Bacon 20 oz (no label but I saw some at the store with labels marked $8.99)

Yup. Paid $19.99 for all of the above!

Chili Mix $1.59

Twisted Tea $6.98 (was originally $7.49)

Sour Cream 16oz $1.50

Paper Towels $0.89

The following was purchased with WIC

Pomegranate $0.78

Cucumber $0.44

Green Bell Pepper $0.44

Zucchini Squash $0.33

Yellow Squash $0.46

($2.45 total, this leaves me $0.51 left to buy fruits and vegetables with WIC)

Total out of pocket cost: $31.60!

Second try at Kroger

2010-11-12T13:44:00.002-06:00

After getting the call from the manager earlier this week, I decided to try Kroger again. By this time I had added a bunch to my list that was on the Mega Event and even more printable coupons. I love it when the Ronzoni pastas are on the Mega Event. I end up getting a bunch of whole wheat pastas for $0.25 or less, maybe even free, which makes it a perfect donation item. I know I've had to use food banks a few times in my life and all too often there was a lot of overly processed foods that really didn't have much nutritional value. I'm going to be donating a bunch of it to a local food pantry. Hopefully someone will appreciate having something a little more wholesome and filling on their table. I know I'll feel better donating something with actual nutrition in it.

So, I did have some problems with the coupons. The manager that called me wasn't on duty. There was another manager that did complain about how long it took the cashier to enter my coupons. See, some of them wouldn't scan but this one gave the OK for her to enter the number manually and if it worked that way the discount was given. All of them worked when entered manually. When the manager complained, I thought to myself "Do you really want to complain about a sale that was $157.28 before any coupons and discounts?" Kroger seems to be forgetting the bottom line when it comes to their bottom line - treat customers crappy and they won't come back therefore reducing your bottom line.

I noticed when I got home that I was 4 items short for getting another $5.00 Mega Event discount. I've called the store and they told me that as long as I bring my receipt I and buy 4 more products I can get the discount. I'm planning on getting 4 more sodas as I'm expecting to only pay something like $0.20 out of pocket for them. As it was, I paid $35.45 out of pocket and if you consider the fact that the store's going to make an extra $3.04 in handling for me just using coupons, they really shouldn't be complaining about it taking the cashier 3 minutes longer to enter the coupons.

Manufacturer Coupon Savings $49.94

Bonus Coupon Savings $1.40

Kroger Plus Savings $55.83

Total Coupons/Savings (67%) $107.17

(ETA I finally went back to get the additional Mega Event items:

I was given something like $1.50 back for getting 4 more sodas!)

Here's the items I got:

Mega Event (buy 10 items, mix and match, get $5 off your order)

A&W Rootbeer 2-liter $0.79
Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper 2-liter $0.79
6 Ricola Cough Drops bags $0.50, buy 2 get $1 off Ricola, FREE
24 assorted bags & boxes of Ronzoni pasta $0.79 each, used a bunch of $1.00 off when you buy 2 printables and one $1.00 off Ronzoni E-Coupon making them $0.29 each. or $5.96 (they were out of the Garden Delight which would've been a $0.21 money maker each - 8 coupons - because they use the cost before the Mega Event for the coupons)
4 Campbells cream of Mushroom soup - $0.50 each, used a save $1.00 when you buy 4 coupon and an eCoupon for $1.50 when you buy 3 came off making them a $0.50 money makter
6 Hormel Chili $0.75 each, used $0.75 off printables and $0.55 off two Kroger E-Coupon and $0.75 off E-coupon = $1.30 money maker
2 Pringles Multigrain $1.00 each, used $1.00 off two Kroger E-Coupon and $1.00 off 2 paper coupon, FREE
2 Smart Balance Spread $1.29 each, used $0.50 off coupons that doubled, $0.58 for both
Prilosec $8.99, used $4.00 off E-Coupon, $3.00 off paper coupon, paid $1.49
2 International Delight Creamers $1.99, used $0.55 off coupons, paid $1.44 each

Non Mega-Event

5-Armour lunch makers $1.00 each
Kroger Vegetable Medley $1.29 on clearance
Large Eggs $0.99
Tide Free & Clear Stain Release $6.99, used $3.00 off E-Coupon and $3.00 off paper coupon, $0.99. For some reason the coupon stated that it exceeded the value of the item. Don't know why, (possibly because I used an E-Coupon?) but the cashier went ahead and rang it in for the full $3.00 off.
Pringles XTreme $1.50, used FREE item coupon
Kroger wipes $2.19
2 - Gerber Strawberry Yogurt Drink $2.09, used $3.00 off coupon from the demo lady, adjusted down, so FREE
Kroger bath tissue $0.88
Pork Country Ribs $4.06

WIC

Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal
Dora Cereal
Bananas
Milk
Grape Juice
Sara Lee Bread (but I also had a $0.55 off coupon which went toward my final total, so it was a $0.55 money maker)

Giveaway!!!!

2010-11-08T13:27:00.000-06:00

I wish I could say that I'm having my own giveaway, but I'm not.

However, I can tell you that Moms Need to Know is having an awesome giveaway for a Leapfrog Leapster prize pack. It's super high value (over $250), so it's worth it to try even if there's already a lot of entries.

Does a phone call make everything better?

2010-11-08T09:13:00.000-06:00

I just got a call from the store manager from Friday's shopping trip. He asked for me to come back in because they'd hate to loose me as a customer. Part of me wonders if he looked back on my Plus Card history and saw that I spend upwards of $400 a month (after discounts and coupons) at the store. Yeah, you sure would hate to loose me as a customer! That would mean $400 less in sales a month. I don't mean to be arrogant about it, but that's a huge chunk of change right there.

Nonetheless, the manager promised he'd take all my coupons. He didn't promise they'd be for face value, but he did promise to take them all. I had called corporate about this and they did a courtesy of putting a $3 credit on my Kroger card too. Personally, I don't know how right this makes everything - I mean I've had so many problems over the past year with the Kroger stores in general.

I guess we'll see.

Getting fed up

2010-11-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

I just left yet another Kroger that treated me like a common criminal for using coupons. I'm getting so fed up with this! They adjust down coupons when they know full well they're getting the full value back from the manufacturer. Way to profit off the manufacturer. Isn't that fraud? Apparently giving me the discount that's legally allowed to me is. And on top of that, they kept insisting my internet printable were copied. Seriously? They're from Smart Source, not Coupons.com. Different systems equal different verification methods! I'm just tempted to scrap coupons and get food stamps. Those people are held in high regard, not us looking for legitimate ways to save!

First trip "back"

2010-10-27T22:05:00.000-05:00

I'm so tired, y'all! Seriously. I spent most of the afternoon making up a grocery list and clipping q's from inserts that I haven't clipped yet. It's exhausting, but rewarding. In the end, it was worth it. I ended up with this:

Yup... it's my first 'haul' photo in my new place! We live in an older house - probably about 50 years old or so. I love it! It's so beautiful. I know, I know, it's hardly frugal to live in an energy sucking house, but on the other hand it's hardly frugal to be spending twice as much in rent for a perfectly sealed one either. The table was frugal, at least. I had a yard sale while staying at my in-law's and their neighbor donated this table. I liked it much better than the rectangle one I had been using, so I got rid of that in favor of this. The tablecloth had been purchased almost 3 years ago on a trip to Wisconsin at the K-Mart Christmas clearance. I think I paid about $3 for Martha Stewart! Until now it had been used as a curtain. LOL

Back to the trip. I researched as much as I could with I Heart Kroger, Katy Couponers, Zeal for a Deal and Frugal Reality. I had missed a bunch of sweeeeeeeet deals like free hummus, but I scored on others like free liquid soap. I didn't bring my binder even though I needed some items that weren't on sale, but I definitely could've used coupons toward those items. I'm not too terribly upset, though. I'm more upset that I didn't realize I had 13 items from the current mega event instead of just 10. I guess I shouldn't be too upset. Five of those items were completely free, Mega Event or not.

Would you forgive me if I didn't break everything down? No? How about this:

Does that make you forgive me? No. :( Didn't think so. Here's the best I can do:

Regular Items

2 Kroger Beer & Cheddar brats $1.99 each
2 Yakisoba noodles on sale for $0.80, used 2 $0.50 coupons that fully doubled to $1.00 off!
3 Sunny D's $1.00, used 3 $0.25 off coupons that tripled, paid $0.75 for all 3
Asparagus on sale for $1.99/lb, paid $1.93
Broccoli crowns on sale for $1.00/lb, paid $0.83 (it didn't look super good therefore I only got 1)
2 Angel Soft Bath Tissue $1.00 each
Mission Low Carb Fajita Tortillas $2.89
Cat Litter $2.79
Kroger Value Iced Oatmeal Cookies (been craving something sweet) $0.99
2 Jennie-O Ground Turkey marked down to $1.59 each
Kroger Crackers $1.00
2 Big K 24 pack can soda $3.99 each
Kroger Hot Dog Buns $1.00
Kroger Deluxe American Slices $2.99
Yoplait Yo Plus yogurt on clearance for $0.49/4 cartons
Cat Chow Cat Food $3.00
Dial Liquid Soap $1.00, used $0.35 off coupon that tripled and gave me $0.05 overage each

Mega Event items (prices before $5.00, or $0.50 each item, taken off):

4 Kids Cuisine Entrees $1.89 each, used some coupons, paid very little
3 Bird's Eye Frozen Vegetables $1.89 each, used buy a Steam Fresh vegetable get a sauce item free coupons, total of 6 for $5.67 or $0.95 each... but the cashier took the entire amount of 2.99 each off instead of $1.49 for 3 off essentially making them all FREE
2 Hungry Man Dinners $2.28 (used FaceBook coupon for $2.00 off)
1 Tombstone Pizza $2.49

Meal Deal

Buy this

Kroger Fajita meat (I chose the beef over chicken) $8.99

Get this free

Mission Tortillas ~~$1.00~~
Eddy Sausage ~~$4.99~~
Dole Shredded Lettuce ~~$1.69~~
Kroger Potato Salad ~~$1.99~~

WIC Items:

Sara Lee Bread $1.89
Springdale White Milk $2.68
Kroger Medium Eggs $0.88

Working on getting back to "normal"

2010-10-27T21:10:00.001-05:00

Ok, well I'm in my own place again. I love my Newbie In-Laws, but nothing beats being in your own home with rules you make up on your own. While we're not in Phoenix, we are still in Houston... in the suburbs... IN A RENTED HOUSE!!!! SQUEEEEE!!!!! Honestly, this is the first time in my life I haven't lived in a multi family house (other than staying with friends or family), so it's an entirely new experience to me. So far, I'm liking it. It might not be the same once I get my first gas or water bill ever. LOL

Well, as I said before, I hadn't clipped any coupon inserts since July. I'm so far behind. I haven't done much saving, but I haven't done much buying either (save for stuff like the used refridgerator I got off of Craig's List for $175, the used 12x's lawnmower I also got off of Craig's List for $50 and finally the used vacuum worth $300 that I also got off of Craig's List for $25).

I've been spending the last week making my house a home, getting rid of boxes, home schooling my Pre-K'er, and catching up on my blog reading. I decided to delete anything older than a week since those deals would probably be over anyway, but it still took me a full week to get caught up! Then, I decided to go back to clipping my q's. Part of my not saving money was because with them not clipped and sorted I tend to not write lists and use the q's. It's a total pain in the butt, but I'm working toward getting it all cut and sorted. Here's me on day #1:

I went through my entire August sets of inserts and this was all that was left that hadn't expired. Ouch. All that money that I could've saved gone. Forever. Overspent. This makes me sad.

I still have September and October to go through. I'll probably have to take September 2 weeks at a time and October 1 week at a time.

It's coming along, maybe not as quickly as I'd like, but it's coming.

Gone but not forgotten

2010-10-19T13:38:00.002-05:00

Hi there. I know I've been neglecting this blog, but it's for good reason. I've spent the last 1 1/2 months not living in my own place. I've been with my wonderful Newbie In-Laws. As great as they are, it's great to be in my own space again. We're less than a block away, so we're the closest we've been to family since I've joined in. That makes me happy. :)

Now that we're a week into getting settled, I'm ready to start super couponing again! I let a lot of our stuff dwindle down, some to the point of not having any. Most of our food had been used up, so I'm rebuilding that stockpile again too. I'm 2 1/2 months behind in clipping coupons, but mark my words I did get them all! Through this process I've learned that the filing method does NOT work for me. I'm a very visual person and if it's not all laid out in front of me (as in the binder method) I don't use them. It's disappointing. Also, I missed out on a lot of clearance deals with not having my fully stocked binder with me. *sigh*

Set but not settled

2010-09-18T11:50:00.001-05:00

Hello fans! It's been a while. I've missed you ;(

Thought I'd update. This is more a life update than a savings update, because for right now they're one in the same for me.

At the end of August we moved in with my in-laws so that we could save money to rent a house. We found a great one right down the street from them, put a deposit down, and now we have to save money for deposits on utilities that we've never had before. I need roughly another $1,000 before we can move in, and that's not including cost for a truck rental/gas.

Mr. Newbie has a new position at his same company. The pay is different. He gets hourly now instead of a daily rate. Well, before his average "hourly" turned out to be close to $9 an hour. His new ends up being more per hour, which is awesome! He'll work slightly less hours, but because it's hourly instead of daily he'll make a little more money. Now, here's to hoping he gets OT pay. For his job it would be totally legal for him to not make OT. Sucks, but it's true. Still, it's better than being jobless... but not as good as the moving to Arizona deal would've been for us.

Now that Nana Newbie and I have gotten into the swing of living under the same roof (I honestly do love my in laws and couldn't be happier to have them!) it's time to catch up in coupon clipping and saving money! I'm so excited! I'm going to help Nana Newbie get her binder together and I'm going to be a clipping fool for the next week. I have 78 inserts (not including the ones coming up for this week) that are just sitting there doing nothing and not saving me any money. Guess the filing method doesn't work at all for me.

Time to get cutting!

2010-08-23T02:47:00.001-05:00

I didn't realize my last post was 2 weeks ago. Sorry about that.

Update on my life. We're not moving to Phoenix :( It was definitely circumstances beyond our control, but it was circumstances that someone else could've controlled. Before I get all angry and ranting on something doesn't belong here, I'll stop even though I want to go on. Grrrrrrr.

Well, one of the drawbacks of the Phoenix plans was that we had to give our apartments notice of our moving out. According to our lease they required 2 months notice. So.... well that means we have to move and they knew we were moving about 1 1/2 months before plans fell through. That means we're homeless until we can come up with deposits to rent somewhere else (technically in TX if you're of age and live with family or if you live in a hotel you're considered homeless). We'll be living with my wonderful in-laws Newbie! Hi mom and dad! Love you guys! Even with how much love I have for them, I'm still angry about being forced to move with them because the other situation would've been so much better for us in the long run. Even so, I'm expecting... I should say I'm hoping... to have all deposits saved up by the end of 1 month.

I hate to add to the fact that the 18th was the 2nd anniversary of my mom's death and the 28th would've been her 66th birthday... oh and September 3rd would've been the 10th anniversary with my 1st husband had he lived. It's been a rough month for this little Newbie.

Mr. Newbie wants to rent a house and in my in-law's area, houses cost as much as the rent we're currently paying. I know, I know... electric and water will be more than we're paying, our credit's shot (rental credit is near perfect, though), and we'll have to put utilities in our names that we've never had in our names before.. oh and we'll have to get a lawnmower (that I'm crossing my fingers I won't have to nag Mr. Newbie to use), but having much more room will be like a dream! I'll miss the pool so incredibly much and now PreK newbie has made friends that are his age (4, 5, and 7) this past week which will totally SUCK that we won't live near them any more, but we're working to turn lemons into at least lemon juice.

Lemonade will have to come later.

July Savings Tracker

2010-08-08T17:15:00.001-05:00

Well, it's official. I do a LOT better with a $500/month budget than a $400/month budget. I know, I know. There are people doing a much tighter budget than I am. I applaud them. I have a very difficult time with what I have planned. I'm not proud of it, but it's the truth. Right now working to get the townhome boxed up for our move to Phoenix soon is getting me whooped. I'm just happy to continue saving! Truthfully... don't know how much we'll be able to take with us or how much I'll be able to stockpile soon, so it's pretty much becoming "buy what you can eat and eat down your frozen/refrigerated stockpile" time.

So, here's the breakdown for my July:

July-at-a-Glance
Total Shelf Cost:	$ 996.39	Monthly Budget:	$ 500.00
Total Coupon Savings:	$ 197.95	Variance:	$ (32.74)
Total Savings:	$ 393.72	Tax Paid	$ 18.67
Amount Paid (after rebates):	$ 532.74	Rebates Owed:	$ -
Savings Rate:	39.51%	Amount Paid (exc. Rebates)	$ 532.74

Here's my year-to-date breakdown:

Month	Shelf	Coupons	Discounts	Savings $	My Price	Savings Rate	Goal	Variance	Tax Paid	Tax Rate	WIC
January	$1,199.97	$ 207.94	$ 253.54	$ 461.48	$ 738.49	38.46%	$ 750.00	$ 11.51	$23.67	3.21%	$ 34.00
February	$ 796.02	$ 173.30	$ 177.89	$ 351.19	$ 444.83	44.12%	$ 400.00	$ (44.83)	$10.89	2.45%	$ 34.00
March	$ 872.67	$ 106.90	$ 212.75	$ 319.65	$ 517.36	36.63%	$ 400.00	$ (117.36)	$16.26	3.14%	$ 34.76
April	$ 808.54	$ 131.75	$ 106.60	$ 238.35	$ 521.64	29.48%	$ 400.00	$ (121.64)	$12.32	2.36%	$ 35.55
May	$ 861.76	$ 130.66	$ 177.27	$ 307.93	$ 519.71	35.73%	$ 400.00	$ (119.71)	$20.64	3.97%	$ 34.12
June	$ 897.56	$ 131.76	$ 183.11	$ 314.87	$ 546.67	35.08%	$ 400.00	$ (146.67)	$10.10	1.85%	$ 36.02
July	$ 996.39	$ 197.95	$ 195.77	$ 393.72	$ 532.74	39.51%	$ 500.00	$ (32.74)	$18.67	3.50%	$ 36.36
TOTALS	$ 6,432.91	$ 1,080.26	$ 1,306.93	$ 2,387.19	$ 3,821.44	37.11%	$ 3,250.00	$ (571.44)	$ 112.55	2.95%	$ 244.81

What's for dinner tonight?

2010-08-03T17:28:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that yesterday I wasn't a good, frugal girl.

*gasp!*

Yes, sometimes it happens. 4PM rolls around and I realize that I haven't taken anything out of the freezer for dinner. I HATE using the microwave to defrost meat because it tends to get cooked even in defrost mode.

So, I ran to Kroger with the intent to buy only some meat and good deals if they had them. I did pretty well. I stuck to buying meat and WIC items mostly. We were almost out of milk and the cereal wasn't going to spoil any time soon. I held off on the WIC bread and juice for the day. I picked up some mozzarella cheese. Oh, can't forget the broccoli and bananas for PreK Newbie.

I still spent about $12, but most of that was on meat. They had some killer deals on beef and pork chops. I'm considering going back since it's right across the street from my closest Walgreens that I haven't checked on the Good Nites deal yet. In fact, I'll do that.

I digress. LOL. I didn't do anything special with the meat, just fried in a pan with some salt and McCormic onion/garlic seasoning. Boiled the broccoli and added some cheese. Found some generic minute rice on the clearance aisle for $0.69 because when they opened the big box to stock it, this box was cut open. Nice, inexpensive dinner.

Tonight? It's time for something completely different (dang Monty Python references swimming in my head). I decided to plug in all the ingredients I have into Super Cook. Apparently with what I already have on hand I can make over 2,000 recipes! Wow! I'm definitely going to use this again. Best of all? It's totally FREE! Going to try a little of this with a little of that on the side. It's all gonna be served over rice. I'm drooling just thinking about it!

Walgreens GoodNites clearance

2010-08-02T22:30:00.003-05:00

Seriously, Y'all. If you have a child that needs to wear Good Nites or if you have one that you'll be potty training soon, head over to Walgreens to get some of theirs while they last on clearance. They've been marked down anywhere from $2.89-$3.19 a pack and paired with the $1.50 off coupon from coupons.com and some of the $2 off coupons from the free sample from Wal-Mart, it's a GREAT deal! Ok, it was a pretty great deal before the coupons, but to get any sort of diapers for $0.89-$1.69 a pack really kicks money saving butt!

At this price it's also reasonable to donate these items. I know that there are LOTS of shelters and places such as the Center for Pregnancy that helps out lower income moms that need help for their tots (I went to the Center for Pregnancy when I was pregnant with my son and they were SUCH an immense help - all I had to do was watch videos to earn "Baby Bucks" that were turned in for stuff we couldn't afford like a crib, clothes, food, or diapers). Just something to consider in order to give back to the community for little cost of time or money.

Edited to add: you can also throw in the 15% off Friends and Family coupon here through August 4th to make this deal even sweeter! If you have manufacturer q's equal to the amount of Good Nites you're purchasing, you *might* need to add a filler item such as a $0.10 pencil just to allow all your q's to be used. This would make each package a $0.75 money maker-$1.02 out of pocket each. SWEET!

2nd Edited to add: I found $1.50 off blinkies at Kroger last night. Gonna get me some more if they're not sold out! :^D

My trip to Old Navy 7/30/2010

2010-07-30T18:57:00.001-05:00

I think I'm going to have to frequent the Old Navy sales more often. I never have because I'm a plus size girl and I make no bones about that fact, but I thought they didn't have clothes in my size. Turns out they have XXL which is what I wear (I like my shirts a little bigger than I really do need for my personal comfort level). I didn't know this, but decided to take a trip for the $2 cami's anyway. I'm so glad I did. I got the last 5 XXL camis!

My son insisted on being in the picture with the camis

We looked at the kid's markdown clothes, but I felt they were still too expensive for being markdown kid's clothes. Nothing was under $10. Maybe next time.

I love seeing such a huge number under "Total Discount" and such a small number under "Subtotal"

5 Camis at $8.50 each

Used the online coupon to get them for $2 each, limit 5

Paid $10.83 out of pocket including tax.

Nice!

There's 1 more day to this sale! You can either tell them "Cami for me" at checkout or print up this coupon for the discount.

2 shopping trips today - Sat 7/24/10

2010-07-24T22:20:00.002-05:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love to go to Farmer's Markets? Well, I'll reiterate that I LOVE to go to Farmer's Markets. There's one in my area that's run every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. I've been going there instead of my weekly trips to Froberg's Fruit and Vegetable Farm because Froberg's has a booth there and right now the strawberry picking is on hold till December. We won't be here in December except maybe to visit (and I'll want to take a trip out there if we do), so for now I'll get my fill at the booth bi-weekly.

The Froberg's Farm booth at the Farmer's Market

Well, of course there are other vendors there too including Gardener's Corner which is a small association of gardeners that farm a little in their own back yard and pick some of the abundance of their veggies to sell. I normally like to get my cucumbers there because they can easily last through the 2 weeks till the market is open again. Granted, I know that if I went to the Froberg's actual farm I could get an entire1/2 peck of cucumbers that are "irregulars" for $1.00. As much as I love cucumbers, I really can't go through that many so I can't justify the 30 minute one way drive for just cucumbers.

Here's what I got at the Farmer's Market.

From Froberg's:

1/2 peck of green beans
1/2 peck of small red potatoes
1/2 peck of peaches (found out later they weren't local... oh well)

$6.00

From Gardener's Corner:

2 cucumbers. See the lower right hand corner? I have one regular looking cucumber and two that are curvey. I got the 2 curvey ones from Gardener's corner which is a group of local people that farm in their back yard.

$1.00

From another vendor:

1 cucumber
1 carrot
2 light green peppers

$1.00

From a final vendor that specialized in mostly oriental veggies:

some leafy green that I can't remember the name of. He gave me a recipe for it, but I can't find it for the life of me. He said it's best in stir frys with some garlic and oil or served as a salad. So looking forward to trying this! (Edit: found the papers. It's called Ong Choy)
a gourd of some type that's light green and bumpy (lower left hand side). Again, he gave me a recipe but I can't find it. I WILL be eating this, though. (Edit: didn't get any papers on this one, but I'm gonna try it steamed with butter & salt)
1 small eggplant

$3.00

The vendor that had lots of exotic veggies as well as well known ones

$11.00 total spent on all the produce above.

I stopped for a brief moment at Kroger, but mostly just to pick up some pancakes (I totally suck at making pancakes), syrup, and newspapers. Nothing fancy and no coupons used.

Here's my proud moment for today. I had a kid's birthday party to attend with PreK Newbie and hadn't picked up a gift yet. I ran to Walgreens planning on only finding a gift and leaving, thrifty or not. I wasn't planning on anything big or fancy for the trip, but when I walked in there was a whole cart of L'Oreal stairing at me, marked down to $2.49 a box. I was there with Mother In Law Newbie who does like to try out colors on her hair. I figured I'd grab my coupon binder and see if I could get her some cheap. Well, I found $3.00 off coupons! I told her I'd definitely buy them for her if she'd let me. She was so cute. She kept asking me if I was sure. I love her! I explained that Walgreens would actually be paying me $0.51 each box to take them out of the store for me! She loved that idea and just let me do my thang ;)

I also insisted she get the color treated shampoos on the right but that was only because they were also a $0.51 money maker each. The Royal pudding was on clearance for $0.09 each too. Had to get them. Oh, and the Fructice shampoo.... you guessed it. Between a manufacturer coupon and Walgreen's coupon from the July coupon book it was also a $0.51 money maker! All in all, I made $3.57 on just haircolor and shampoo. Yeah, now I could buy what I needed.

Goodnightes boxers on clearance for $8.99. Used a $2.50 off coupon. Paid $6.49.
Birthday card $0.99 (not pictured)
Birthday gift $9.99 (also not pictured)
8 Royal Pudding on clearance for $0.09 each. Paid $0.72 for all of them
3 L'Oreal Haircolors at $2.49 each. Used $3.00 off coupons. -$1.53
3 L'Oreal color treated shampoos at $2.49 each. Used $3.00 off coupons. -$1.53
Frutis color shampoo -$0.51

Now, here is what I liked seeing...

Even after a year of couponing, I know there are some people that would've gone in and willingly spent $77.85 on all of the above items. Why? Seriously? The Return of Investment in clipping coupons is so high that it honestly doesn't make sense not to use them! Isn't there something else you could do with the $61.99 saved on a trip such as this one? I know I sure have plenty! :)

Kroger trip Tuesday 7/21/10

2010-07-22T12:59:00.000-05:00

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.

Target trip 7/15/10

2010-07-16T10:23:00.003-05:00

Turning this

into this

My shopping trip to Target using this shopping list. All the picture is missing is 6 bags of cat treats, 2 boxes of Eggo waffles and a bottle of wine. All of this would've been $102.91 before coupons. I paid $56.50! Lots of the above stuff was free.

Here's the breakdown:

3 Women's Merona t-shirts on sale for $6 each. Used $2 off Target q. Paid $12 instead of $18
1 Men's Merona t-shirt on sale for $6. Used $2 off Target q. Paid $4
1 6-pack Hanes underwear on sale for $5.54. Used $1 off Target q. Paid $4.54
6 Stride gums at $1.29 each. Used 3 buy-1-get-1-free Target and Manufacturer coupons. FREE
1 Kraft Mac & Cheese on sale for $0.69
1 Sutter Home wine $7.99
1 Sara Lee bread $2.79
6 Purina Cat Treats for $0.89 each. Used $1.50 when you buy 2 q's. Looking at the receipt, it shows that 3 coupons were used but $0.00 came off for each. I need to talk to them about this. I feel I'm due a $4.50 refund from this!
2 Kingsford Charcoals $6.26 each. Used 2-$1 off q's. Paid 10.52 for both
2 Hidden Valley Ranch $2.54 each. Used free Hidden Valley Ranch when you buy Kingsford Charcoal. FREE
2 KC Masterpiece $3.81. Used 1 free KC Masterpiece when you buy Kingsford Charcoal q and 1 $1 off KC Masterpiece q. $0.42 for both
2 Gladware $4.99 each. Used 2 free Gladware bowls coupons when you buy Kingsford Charcoal q's. FREE
Glad Press N Seal wrap $2.64. Used free glad product when you buy Kingsford Charcoal q. FREE
2 EGGO Waffles $4.53. Used $1 off 2 manufacturer q's and $1 off 2 Target q's. Paid $2.53 for both.

The only WIC item was the bread. It's literally the ONLY one I'm allowed to get with WIC, so I can't bargain shop for the city, even though I'd like to. I don't mind this bread, but there's much others of better quality for less money I'd rather buy.

I called today (7/17) about what I noticed about the cat treats coupons. She said they've already sent the coupons off, therefore they have no way to verify what coupon I had or that I'm due a refund. I may just have to return them. It's not right - the receipt clearly states I had a coupon for the cat treats, the coupon is listed right below it, the amount off is listed as $0.00. Why would any consumer bother with a coupon for $0.00? I was given a lecture about how I need to check my receipt before I leave the store next time. I gave her a lecture on how PreK Newbie had been running around, tearing up the store, and how I was frustrated and needed to get him out before some real problems started. She continued with her lecture. I figured she never had kids. I continued on how they'd be getting an excess of $4.50 back but now I'm not getting the discount I legally deserve. They'll give me my money back, but after much hassle. *sigh*

They also didn't take any money off for my reusable bags. While I was there, the manager gave me a $0.25 refund for the ones they used.

Ok, so all this begs the question, is anyone else having problems using q's at stores? This isn't the first time at Target that it's happened to me, and it's happened too many times to mention at my local Kroger. If I was doing something illegal or immoral that'd be one thing. Stores are getting their money plus $.008 back for each coupon they turn in. Let's use an easy number to figure this out. Let's say they get 100 manufacturer coupons a day. They get reimbursed the face value of the coupon PLUS $8.00! In all honesty, they'd be turning in closer to thousands of coupons a day for one location alone! It's a money maker for these stores for minimal effort. How am I hurting them by requesting the discounts? If you think about it, they should be upset a the customers that don't use coupons. It's costing them more money!!!!

It's that time again!

2010-07-15T15:10:00.001-05:00

Look at that huge stack of q's. There's literally 43 of them in there! Headed out to Target to see what kind of deals I can pick up. Wish me luck!

Great giveaway on A Few Short Cuts

2010-07-15T01:18:00.000-05:00

If you have kids you know that having writing on both walls and clothes can be a problem. There's only so much cleaning a mom can add to her daily routine! Enter Crayola Color Wonder. These markers and paints ONLY show up on special paper. I haven't bought these for my son yet, but I'm hoping to for our trip to AZ.

In the mean time, go here to check out what Amanda at A Few Short Cuts says about this wonderful product. While you're there, enter her giveaway!

Good Luck! :)

Holy Crud I'm behind!!!!

2010-06-30T22:22:00.003-05:00

Yeah, well that's what happens when you don't have net... you get behind on your blog. I just looked back and noticed that I didn't put up any savings tracker info since February and it's about to be July! Wow. I can't believe that!

Well, since I'm back for now, I'm gonna correct that situation. I say for now because I have wonderful news! My family and I are going to be shaking the dust off our Texas heels and head out west in the next two months! I'm so excited! We'll be moving to Arizona! I use lots of exclamation points because you really can't see the huge smile on my face!

I'm reviewing my months and there's one common element - I have a difficult time sticking to a food budget. Don't get me wrong, some months are better than others, but none of them have been right on target. Once Mr. Newbie officially starts his new job, which will be about a month before me and PreK Newbie gets to move out there too, I'm going to have to raise our spending budget a bit (and we'll have the means to do so and not hurt the rest of the family or our Debt Snowball) so that I'm no longer in arrears. Of course, we'll be living in a hotel for a long while and I don't know if it'll be an "extended stay" type place with a kitchenette *and* I'll have to be getting rid of a lot of our stockpile because we really won't be able to take most of our possessions, but despite these factors it's definitely a move up for our family as a whole.

Here's how the numbers look so far:

Month	Shelf	Coupons	Discounts	Savings $	My Price	Savings Rate	Goal	Variance	Tax Paid	Tax Rate	WIC
January	$1,199.97	$207.94	$ 253.54	$ 461.48	$ 738.49	38.46%	$ 750.00	$ 11.51	$23.67	3.21%	$ 34.00
February	$ 796.02	$173.30	$ 177.89	$ 351.19	$ 444.83	44.12%	$ 400.00	$ (44.83)	$10.89	2.45%	$ 34.00
March	$ 872.67	$106.90	$ 212.75	$ 319.65	$ 517.36	36.63%	$ 400.00	$(117.36)	$16.26	3.14%	$ 34.76
April	$ 808.54	$131.75	$ 106.60	$ 238.35	$ 521.64	29.48%	$ 400.00	$(121.64)	$12.32	2.36%	$ 35.55
May	$ 861.76	$130.66	$ 177.27	$ 307.93	$ 519.71	35.73%	$ 400.00	$(119.71)	$20.64	3.97%	$ 34.12
June	$ 897.56	$131.76	$ 183.11	$ 314.87	$ 546.67	35.08%	$ 400.00	$(146.67)	$10.10	1.85%	$ 36.02
TOTALS	$ 5,436.52	$ 882.31	$ 1,111.16	$ 1,993.47	$ 3,288.70	36.67%	$ 2,750.00	$ (538.70)	$ 93.88	2.85%	$ 208.45

Kroger answers the call

2010-06-29T22:19:00.001-05:00

A few days ago I had a problem at my local Kroger. Here was my email to them:

To whom it may concern

I am inquiring about the Catalina coupons at my local Kroger store at (a location near my house). This particular store has a coupon exchange basket at the front of the store which frequently has Catalina coupons that the original recipient isn't interested in using. I have used these in the past with no problem, but when I came in today and was looking through the basket, the front end manager on duty (this was around 7pm on Wednesday 6/23/10) saw what I was doing and proceeded to take them out of the coupon exchange basket and rip them in half. She said that corporate has told her to do this.

I was wondering why this may be? I thought these were manufacturer coupons, as they state this directly on front of the coupon and they state a clearinghouse address to send them to as well as the redemption terms. Nowhere on the coupon does it state that it's for the rewards card it was issued to, as other stores do state on their Catalinas. It felt as if she was committing fraud and keeping the contentious consumer from getting the discounts that are allowed by the manufacturer and that the manufacturer reimburses you for plus handling.

Personally, I do not wish to commit coupon fraud, so I would like to know if using the Catalina coupons from others are allowed or not. I do enjoy shopping at my local Kroger store and do so very frequently. I spend hundreds of dollars a month at Kroger and would like to know that I'm doing right by the company that has been doing so right by me.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Sincerely,
CoupoNewbie

I was starting to get a little worried because after a few days, the weekend, and some more days I hadn't heard back. So, I called their corporate office at 1-800-KROGERS. I was informed by the representative I spoke with that the front end manager was in fact NOT supposed to be tearing up the Catalinas and they could, in fact, be used by anyone who was interested in using a coupon. This afternoon, I checked my inbox and also got a response:

Dear Ms. Newbie:

Thank you for contacting The Kroger Company. I do apologize for the confusion regarding your coupons. It is not our policy to not allow you or anyone else to use the Catalina Coupons. I am forwarding your comments to the store manager, where I feel confident he will use this as a training tool. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience. If there is anything else I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for shopping at Kroger. We appreciate your business.

Sincerely,

(an informed CSR)
Consumer Affairs

I'm so glad I contacted them via email. Regardless of whether or not they will talk to that particular manager, I now have something concrete in writing that I can show her as to why she is not supposed to be tearing up the Catalinas, rendering them useless for anyone else who would like to use them. This particular front end "manager" has refused me using coupons with a Target logo even though it clearly stated "Manufacturer coupon" on it and had a clearinghouse address too. I pointed this out to her, she showed it to someone, and they still wouldn't take it. I've used them in the past with other cashiers, but this particular one just is not coupon friendly! It's nice to know they're willing to go the extra mile when someone is a loyal customer.

Edit: 7/2/2010
The manager of the store contacted me and stated that this particular store was told by their general district manager that they were informed to not allow customers to use Catalina's from other customers because you can't tell which is a money of your next order because they bought so many of a certain product Catalina or just a coupon Catalina. We all know this is boloney! Sounds like an excuse to me. They also stated that manufacturer coupons with another stores logo, even if it expressly states manufacturer coupon, wasn't allowed at the store. I tried to clarify that these manufacturer coupons did have a clearing house address and terms of redemption on them, but she held to her story that they wouldn't get reimbursed for them because they are only intended for use at the specified store. Another load of boloney! *sigh* The good thing I did learn from this call was that I will be able to keep my Kroger card for my move to Arizona and use it at Fry's without opening another loyalty card. At least they have that going for them.

...tonight I'm cleaning out my closet!

2010-06-18T18:55:00.001-05:00

Just spent the last 1/2 hour cleaning out my bathroom closet. There was old, nasty expired junk there that traveled from Chicago to Houston in `01! All in the trash now to make room for all the new stuff that's actually being stockpiled for free! Got lots of body wash & Axe shampoo. My fave shampoo rarely goes on sale, so not much of that, but tons of samples that need nice storage boxes so they can actually be found (shoebox style ones are on sale at Kroger for $1 tip week)! Lots of free razors too but no shave cream, though. At least I know we definitely can get by until the next freebie sale for most things! That totally beats having to run out to the store to pay upwards of $7 when I need something. We're so well stocked that I'm considering doing 2 things-(1) making my dad-in-law & grandpa-in-law gift baskets for Father's day and (2) donating at least a little of this stuff. I have plenty for both! There's still tons of work to be done.

2010-06-15T20:11:00.001-05:00

Just an early notice that TCBY will be offering a free frozen yogurt to Dad's on Father's Day this Sunday!

If you don't ask, you won't receive

2010-06-15T18:25:00.001-05:00

Everything is negotiable...everything! That's the last lesson we had at our Financial Peace University class. Haggle down and make sure it's a win/win for both parties.
I used that knowledge today. I went to Kroger and as always looked at the "reduced for quick sale" meat. There were a bunch of Jennie-O Ground Turkey chubs marked down to $0.99! Now, that's a great price to begin with, but like I said there were a lot. I talked with someone in the meat department and asked that if I bought 10, could I get a better deal? After all, the date on them is 6/17 and if they don't sell they'll have to be discarded by the 18th.
He went back to the counter, looked up the price Kroger paid for them, and came back with 10 stickers that said $0.75 each! I just paid $7.50 instead of $9.90 (or even about $23.00 if you want to go for a roundabout of the original price) for 10 pounds of ground turkey! So completely awesome!

3 awesome shopping trips today

2010-06-08T18:02:00.001-05:00

Wal-Mart=Before q's $32.36, paid out of pocket $8.86
Walgreens=Before $51.76, after $21.99
CVS=Before $51.36, after $13.61.

Think about it-without using coupons and sales I would've paid $135.45. Instead I paid $44.90 out of pocket saving $85.58!

I'm so proud of myself. I haven't tried this hard to save money in a while due to not having internet to check my favorite money saving blogs.

Recently I realized there HAD to be some sort of reader like Outlook but for RSS feeds. I found RSS Bandit and it's helped so much! One of my neighbors has an open WiFi connection, but it's not strong enough to get to my apartment. This way I can go outside, download the blogs to the reader, and read what I need in my (air conditioned) place. I'm so happy to be back in the game!

Looks Too Good To Be True

2010-06-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

Just found about this site and thought it was worth sharing. It's funded by the FBI http://lookstoogoodtobetrue.com

2010-06-05T23:14:00.001-05:00

Did ANYONE in Houston get 4 q inserts? I 5 papers in checked 2 stores and only found 3. :(

Should you get a paper this week (6/6)?

2010-06-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

There should be 4 inserts in the Sunday paper this week-2 SmartSource, 1 Redplum, and 1 Proctor & Gamble.

Also remember that it's been reported that at $0.99 Only stores and Dollar Trees you can get a Sunday paper for only $1. It costs $2 here in Houston, but the Chronicle has subscriptions for $1/ week for Sunday Only. More than likely you'll have to pay for your subscription for the entire year at once to get this rate (I worked in their Subscriber Services department for a few years) so keep that in mind. Also, if all you want in Sunday only service, make sure to specify you don't want bonus papers. Every so often the local distributors drop off "bonus" papers at no additional cost which for me would be a waste. Also, sometimes the subscription gets entered for daily/Sunday delivery instead of Sunday only accidentally, which would be another reason to follow up.

Kroger trip 5/29/10-58% savings!

2010-05-30T10:51:00.001-05:00

I love trips like last night's. I didn't go in with a plan other than to get pizza and Prevacid. I came out with much more for not much more.
1) 6-Pepsi 2 liters (buy 2 get 1 free + for every 3 you get a code for a free RedBox rental)
2) Strawberries (Froberg's picking season is over till December) $2.50
3) 4-Beech Nut baby food $0.47 ea -used free 4 Beech Nut stage 2 coupons (I put the sweet potatos in my French Toast batter)
4) 2-Edy's ice cream single serve cups $1.39 each (used $2 off 2 Edy's ice cream products, no size restriction)
5) Cat litter marked down to $0.89 because it was open
6) 2-California Pizza Kitchen pizzas $5.89 each (used $1 off coupons)
7) Prevacid 14 count $11.49 (used $6 off Kroger e-coupon $6 off paper coupon, so $0.51 money maker)

Manufauturer q savings - $17.88
Kroger Plus card savings - $7.94
Total savings 58% - $25.82

I paid out of pocket $18.43 for what should've been $45.14! Awesome!

Motherhood on DVD

2010-05-29T23:40:00.001-05:00

I rented this movie tonight with one of my FREE RedBox codes I got from buying 3 Pepsi 2-liters at Kroger. It's a MUST SEE for moms. I felt like I was the main character & I cried @ the end because I know that if given the chance, Mr. Newbie would do just as the man did. I mention this because on the DVD are 9 .pdf q's that expire 12/31/2010, so there's more than 1 reason to rent this gem.
1. Save 15% @ Adenandais.com by using "motherhood" when ordering.
2. Save $1 on any Aveeno Baby product (excl trial size)
3. Purchase $50+ Baby Bjorn products @ Diapers.com & get FREE bib using code BJORNBIB @ checkout
4. $10 off diapers or formula & free 2-day shipping @ Diapers.com using code MOTHERHOOD. $49 min tot order, must include diapers or formula
5. Ad for Susan B. Komen for the Cure
6. Ad for learningcaregroup.com
7. NutriSystem: eat free 2 weeks @ nutrisystem.com/mother109
8. Parenting.com/motherhoodmovie-3yrs $ of 2+free tote
9. 20% off Serenaandlily.com: MOTHERHOOD @ checkout

Enjoy!

No coupons in this Sunday's paper

2010-05-29T14:50:00.001-05:00

Just a heads up that since it's a holiday weekend, there will be no coupons in the paper this weekend. I normally choose not to get a paper (times 3) on these weeks because all the other info in it I can get online (that is, if I had internet access... as it is, I'm posting from an email text message from my phone). I checked 2 early edition papers at my local Kroger and there were no coupons either. I only checked because there was a rumor of a teeny tiny insert (thanks for the heads up, KatyCouponers). It might be worth your while to look while you're out, but otherwise I wouldn't worry about it. Have a great, safe Memorial Day Weekend!

SwagBucks

2010-05-22T16:45:00.004-05:00

Finally getting around to putting up a Swagbucks widget.

Swidget 1.0great free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

Swagbucks is a site where you can earn "bucks" in order to "buy" stuff. I'm using it as my savings account to buy Christmas gifts with. For 450 SB's (as we "Swaggers" call it) you can get a $5 Amazon.com gift card. Considerint I've been offline for about 3 months I think I'm doing well with the $25 worth of Amazon.com gift cards I have. I'm hoping to have closer to $100 by the end of November. That would be enough to take care of the majority of my family for doing nothing more than I'm already doing online - searching using their engine that uses Google! Try it out! If you don't like it, you don't have to do it.

Kroger trip 5/13-67% savings on meat!

2010-05-13T18:38:00.001-05:00

I'm over budget this week for groceries, but we also were almost out of meat. So, when I went to Kroger Tuesday I saw signs all over that there was going to be a huge 7-day meat sale. Because of this, I didn't buy meat except for 1 item that was reduced for quick sale just so I could have something for dinner. We're close to out of meat, so I needed to. In that time, I nearly spent all my food budget. I was bad & "borrowed" $20 from the emergency fund (Don't tell Dave Ramsey) in order for us to eat. I got:

2 Butterball turkey sausages bogo $3.29. Used 2-$0.75 off q's
Chuck steak $5.29
5 lbs chicken pinwheels $3.90
Oscar Meyer bologna $0.95, used $2 off printable
Oscar Meyer Cotto Salami $0.95, used $2 off printable
Beach Nut baby food $0.66
Kroger charcoal $1.49/bag because it was ripped
Bananas $1.23

They were out of the pork ribs but I got a raincheck.

Before sales & q's: $37.92
Kroger savings $20.10
Manufacturer q savings $5.50
Total out of pocket $12.32

So happy I waited!

This is why you check your receipts

2010-05-11T19:55:00.001-05:00

As I said earlier, I had 3 q's that didn't come off my bill. On top to that, my checkout person was the front end supervisor! I could've been mean and cussed them all out 6 days till Monday over the $3 I was overcharged. Did I? No! I called and spoke to the person at the customer service desk & was asked to come back in 1/2 hour so they could pull the q's. I did & they also realized the q's hadn't been scanned.

Easy peasy! Got my $3 back which was just as well because Mr. Newbie decided he wanted pizza for dinner. Used that $3 toward it. Since I was without Pre-K Newbie, I decided to look around for a moment. Got a Red Baron pizza for $3.66 and had a $1.50 off q, so paid $2.16 for a full sized pizza! Mr. Newbie likes thick pizzas so I just got him a Kroger one for $3.34. I also picked up 5-McCormick grill seasonings on sale for $1.25 each with 5-$0.50 off q's that doubled making them $0.25 each! Paid the same for 5 as the sale price for 1! I <3 the chicken one on beef.

Kroger trip 5/11

2010-05-11T18:45:00.001-05:00

$74.15 before sales & discount card, $57.08 after discount card, $46.71 out of pocket after q's.

This is why I combine sales with coupons. Almost all of my weekly grocery budget would've been spent in one trip-and I only got us enough meat for tonight! I had to buy diapers (pre-k Newbie is trained except for over night). I really, really wanted watermelon and at least the whole ones were on sale for $4.99 each. I went ahead and got 10 2-liter Pepsi's at $0.84/each when you buy 5. I only got so many because I heard a rumor that you could get a RedBox code when on a Catalina. I got 2 free rental codes! Pre-K newbie is gonna have to deal with Fiber One yogurt which was on clearance for $1.75 each and I had $0.50 off q's that doubled. Now that I'm looking at my receipt, I think the cashier didn't scan all my q's! I had 3-$0.50 off q's for the Bird's Eye veggies and 2 $0.50 off for the yogurt. That should've been $2.50 in bonus & $2.50 in manuf. I don't have that!

What I made at Wags

2010-05-07T17:31:00.001-05:00

So, all around the blogosphere yesterday were notices about getting a free photo collage from Walgreens.com. I decided to get one for my mother in law and I can't be happier with the outcome! I picked out pictures that I took over the past year, uploaded them, and Walgreens put them together for me! I got a chance to preview it before I finalized my order too. I got to pick out the border color, the caption, the font, and word color. I couldn't be happier with the result! I picked up a $2 frame from Wags for it to go into and it turned out so beautiful! Oh, and the best part? She cried when I gave it to her. See... It doesn't take a lot to make a perfect gift, even for Mother's Day!

Houston: Mother’s Day Dining Deals

2010-05-07T12:49:00.000-05:00

Visit Houston On The Cheap for the best list of Mother's Day Dining Deals in Houston!
http://houstononthecheap.com/mothers-day-dining-deals-in-houston

The Prevacid was only $0.99!

2010-05-04T22:26:00.001-05:00

I just noticed on my receipt that I only paid $0.99 for the Prevacid. Here's how: on sale for $10.99, used a $6 off q, used a $4 off e-q from Kroger.com (it's recently been revealed that the q's on Kroger.com are Kroger q's therefore CAN be combined with manufacturers q's! How awesome is that! Since I have to take this stuff every day since Pre-k Newbie was born, I sure hope I get more deals like this on it!

CVS trip 5/4/2009

2010-05-04T20:22:00.001-05:00

How awesome is this stuff? Well, let me tell you it's TOTALLY awesome! Here's the deal: we needed toilet paper. I didn't want to go out and spend $5 on *just* toilet paper. I heard about the Nivea deal at CVS and thought I'd try it out. I can already tell that CVS is more q friendly than Walgreens. They took all my q's except for one of my $4 off Nivea q along with my BOGO q. Oh well. Still got a great deal. I purchased 4 body washes, used 2-$4 off q's, 1 bogo q, and a $2 off CVS q that printed when I scanned my card at the machine. Got back $5 extra care bucks and paid $5.02 out of pocket. Then I used the $5 extra care buck to turn around and buy the Cottonelle for $4.49 (I probably had a q for that too, but my binder was in my car) and a Snapple for $1.29 (the can was marked $0.79 so I don't know what was going on there). I used the $5 ecb and paid $0.83 out of pocket. Total $5.85 out of pocket. Not too bad!

Kroger 5/4/2010-Saved 52%

2010-05-04T19:58:00.001-05:00

$74.54 before sales & discount card, $55.78 after discount card, $35.65 after coupons, $32.36 after WIC. I'm pretty proud of the job I did. I didn't plan on getting the White Castles but I'm from Chicago and and missing the Slyders! It's not the same, but it's better than nothing. I also didn't plan on the Wanchai Ferry, but it was reduced to $2.99 a bag and I had $1.50 off coupons. I'm not too fond of these, but we're taking Financial Peace University classes once a week and this will help keep us from wanting to stop for fast food on those days. We're huge pop drinkers, so $0.59 each 2-liter is totally worth it! Oh, and the Fast Fixin' chicken and deodorant was free after q's. You might notice there's not a lot of fruits or veggies. I've been going to Froberg's Farm for most of them. It's nice to support a local business *and* get locally grown produce for a comparable price as the larger grocery stores.

2010-05-01T13:32:00.001-05:00

Testing a photo mobile blog. This is the case of strawberries I got for $2.

2010-05-01T09:53:00.001-05:00

Been getting cases of strawberries for $2 @ the local farm. They're cheap because they're imperfects-either too ripe or misshapen. Still taste like berries!

2010-04-30T17:00:00.001-05:00

Did pretty well @ Walmart. $9.74 b4 q's, $5.81 oop. 2 Simply Gogurts ($1.10 off ea), 3 Vitamin Waters (free), 2 flushable wipes ($1 off ea), 1 baby wipes $1.96

2010-04-30T00:17:00.003-05:00

Free Family Fun Saturday 05/01/2010 11:00am - 3:00pm Lakeshore Learning Center Make a Shady Sun Visor

2010-04-30T00:17:00.001-05:00

Free family fun Friday 05/01/2010 9:00am - 12:00pm Home Depot Build a Picket Fence Planter

2010-04-28T17:00:00.001-05:00

Today from 5-10pm is Baskin Robbins annual $0.31 scoop night. Get up to 3 scoops for $0.31 each! Proceeds go to firefighters.

Testing picture/email text message

2010-04-28T11:08:00.001-05:00

I hope this will work. Been having a difficult time with it. :(

This is a case of strawberries I got from a local farm called Froberg's Farm. This farm is awesome! There's a huge strawberry patch out back where you can pick your own for $1.99/lb. While that's a good price for berries and it gets you out and moving, it's not as good as what I got for this case. It's the "imperfects." They're either too ripe or odd shaped. I can deal with that... especially for $2 for the entire box! None of them went to waste, either. I gave a bunch away to family and neighbors, froze some, and we ate the rest! Got a second case that I'm planning on giving some away and dating the rest. We'll all be giant strawberries by the time this season's over. Lol.

2010-04-28T09:51:00.001-05:00

Hey all. Just testing posting via mobile text. If this works I can keep updating with some deals I get. If not... well, I'll just have to wait. :(

I haven't been around for a reason :(

2010-04-23T15:56:00.002-05:00

Hey, ya'll. Heidee ho from Texas! Ok, down to business...

I've lost internet access for a while now, which is why I haven't been around. I've had to go to McD's to soak up free internet, and even then I don't like to make it a habit to come here because my son would eat chicken nuggets every day if I'd let him... not good for the budget or the waistline. Fortunately, it's good to come here when it's hot out so he can play in the playland, so it might be more often soon. Unfortunately, none of the playlands have plugs in which I can keep my laptop fueled, so it's only for a max 2 hours at a time.

So, please be patient with me. Mr. Newbie will be getting a raise soon and along with getting some bills up to date, I plan to get some sort of internet service, even if it is just the $40/month service from Cricket. I miss posting my deals and pictures and fun weekend stuff.

Please be patient. I'll be back ASAP. :(

Family Fun weekend of 4/17/2010

2010-04-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

Here's Family Fun for the weekend of 4/17/2010. Remember to check with your preferred location to confirm they are participating.

Saturday 4/10/2010

10am-11am
Lowes
Make a See It Grow planter
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
Time varies by store
Borders
Storytime
.pdf of kids events
11am-3pm
Lakeshore Learning Center
Make a Personalized Door Hanger
Store Crafts
2pm-3pm
Barnes and Noble
Storytime
Store Locator

Family Fun weekend of 4/10/2010

2010-04-09T17:13:00.003-05:00

Here's Family Fun for the weekend of 4/10/2010. Remember to check with your preferred location to confirm they are participating.

Saturday 4/10/2010

10am-11am
Lowes
Make a Tabeltop Basketball game
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
Time varies by store
Borders
Storytime
.pdf of kids events
11am-3pm
Lakeshore Learning Center
Make a Personalized Door Hanger
Store Crafts
1pm-5pm
Michael's Crafts
Make-it-take-it Fun with Beads
Store Calendar
2pm-3pm
Barnes and Noble
Storytime
Store Locator

You give couponers a bad name!

2010-04-03T00:01:00.002-05:00

Seriously, take a look at this video. The woman is charged with forging coupons in order to get many items for free. Stuff like this always makes those of us using them legally look really bad. It just angers me! I know I'm nowhere near Oregon, but it still affects all of us using them properly. Think of that the next time you try to sneak a coupon by a cashier that isn't quite the right product. It's fraud and you can go to jail!

My Kroger Haul

2010-04-02T23:15:00.004-05:00

I don't have my receipt with me, but I'm so excited on how well I did on this trip that I just had to get something updated. I have a short photo montage ;)

I did pretty well here! I got 24 boxes of Ronzoni pasta for $3.50 after the March Into Savings sale and my $0.75 off 1 and $1.00 off 2 coupons! I'm so totally proud of that! :)

Now to concentrate on getting some of the Betty Crocker potatoes this week ;)

Family Fun Weekend of 4/2/2010

2010-04-01T05:21:00.003-05:00

Family Fun for the weekend of 4/2/2010. Remember to check with your preferred location to confirm they are participating.

Thursday 4/1/2010

6:00-8:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Free 4x6 photo with the Easter Bunny
Beginning at 6:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Make Easter decorations

Friday 4/2/2010

6:00-8:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Free 4x6 photo with the Easter Bunny

Saturday 4/3/2010

9:00am-12:00pm
Home Depot
Build a Butterfly House
11:00am-3:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Free 4x6 photo with the Easter Bunny
11:00am-3:00pm
Lakeshore Learning Centers
Make a Silly Bunny puppet
12:00-5:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Make Easter decorations
2:00-3:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday 4/4/2010

Easter
11:00am-3:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Free 4x6 photos with the Easter Bunny
12:00am-5:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Make Easter decorations
2:00pm-3:00pm
Bass Pro Shops
Easter Egg Hunt

Food Town trip 3/24/2010

2010-03-26T17:40:00.005-05:00

I decided to make a go of Food Town for the first time. I saw some decent sales that I figured I could partake of if I played my cards right. Let me preface this by saying that I found out that Food Town is not a coupon friendly store. They onbly allowed a maximum of 2 ,like coupons per transaction and needed a manager to adjust down coupons and approve free item coupons from the Sunday paper. Had I known that, I would've just done 2 transactions. I didn't know that, so I ended up having the poor bagger pull our 4 items that I had more than 2 coupons for. The manager had to come by twice to approve coupons on 2 different transactions, and she was not happy about that. Oh well, random rules... right? I didn't do too badly overall. I also found they have great meat prices. I saw a huge beef roast for only $7! I don't have the freezer room or I would've gotten it. That thing could've fed my family 2-3 times alone!

So here's how I did:

3-Paseo Paper Towels $0.77 each
1-Borden Pointsettia Milk $2.38
3-Puffs With Vicks $1.69 each
1-Peperidge Farm Mozzarella Garlic Bread $1.99
1-Parade Orange Juice $1.69
1-BV Bleach $0.99
1-BB Red Velvet Cakes (tasted just like Twinkies with Red Velvet cake. yum! - was supposed to be $0.99) $2.69
1-Bar S Corn Dogs $3.99
1-Bananas $1.56
1-Tyson Precooked Bacon $2.92
1-Farmland Bologna $0.77
1-Frying Chicken Drumsticks $2.70/lb
6-Hunts Tomato Sauce $0.25 each
2-Bacon Wrapped Pork $0.99 each (was supposed to be $0.79 each)
2-Bacon Wrapped Chopped Beef $0.99 each (was supposed to be $0.79 each)
3-Lunchable's $0.99 each
4-Vick's Vapo Drops $0.79 each
2-Vick's Vitamin C Drops $0.69 each
4-Honey Tangerines $0.20 each
1-Avocado $0.50 each
1-Happy Hen Eggs 18 count FREE with $10 purchase
1-Rese's Peanut Butter Cups $0.55

Coupons I used:

$0.55 off any Pepperidge Farm frozen bread
$1.00 off Lunchable's
FREE Puff's with any 2 Vick's purchase
$.1.50 off any Vick's product

Before Q's and discounts - $45.79
Store discounts - $4.07
Venders coupons - $9.91
Store coupons - $0.99
Total saved - $14.97
Total out of pocket - $30.90

Family Fun 3/27/2010

2010-03-26T17:19:00.003-05:00

Here's this week's list of family fun for the weekend of 3/27/2010. As always, it is best to contact your preferred location to confirm they are participating in the event.

Saturday 3/27/20110

10:00am-1:00pm
Michael's Crafts
Spring Thing Crayola Presto Dots
10:00am-11:00am
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
Make a Kaleidoscope
11:00am-3:00pm
Lakeshore Learning Center
Make a My Puppet Pal
Bass Pro Shops
11:00am-3:00pm Free 4x6 Easter Bunny Portrait
12:00pm-5:00pm Make a Sun Catcher
2:00pm-3:00pm Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday 3/28/2010

Bass Pro Shops
11:00am-3:00pm Free 4x6 Easter Bunny Portrait
12:00pm-5:00pm Make a Sun Catcher
2:00pm-3:00pm Easter Egg Hunt

Monday 3/29/2010

Bass Pro Shops
6:00pm-8:00pm Free 4x6 Easter Bunny Portrait

Thursday 4/1/2010

Bass Pro Shops
6:00pm-10:00pm Make Easter Decorations

Friday 4/2/2010

Bass Pro Shops
6:00pm-8:00pm Free 4x6 Easter Bunny Portrait

For anyone in Houston, also check out Houston on the Cheap for more inexpensive family fun!

Kroger trip 3/21/2010

2010-03-22T15:38:00.003-05:00

I'll admit, I've been out for a bit longer than I wanted to be. My internet is down, so I'm blogging this from a local McDonald's where my son can play in the playland and I can soak up some beautiful free wi-fi. In the meantime, here's my latest trip to Kroger:

They had a March Into Savings event to get $4 when you buy 8 participating products. I really don't like these deals. I have to keep track of everything each time or else I end up counting wrong. Fortunately this time I was only 1 item over, so I just let it be.

Items on March Into Savings Event:
1-Snyders Pretzels $2.49
3-Lay's Potato Chips $2.79
2-Ronzoni Pasta $1.25
4-2-liter Coke products $1.25
12-DelMonte Tomatoes $1.00
1-Daisy Sour Cream $1.89
1-Kraft cheese $2.17
So, on the above items I got $12 off.

Not on event:
3-Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners $2.49
1-Broccoli $0.99 per bunch
1-Cauliflower $1.88 per head
1-Eggland Eggs $2.69
7-Frank's BOGO hot sauce $1.00 each (manager special)
2-Salsbury Steak meals (bogo) $7.99
3-Hillshire Farm Turkey Lunchmeats (on markdown) $1.39 each
2-I don't remember what this means, but the receipt says MC CH SS L S $0.99
1-Oscar Meyer Bacon $2.99
1-Turkey Drumstick package $3.72
Chicken Thighs $1.99
Pork Ribs $5.29 (this will make at least 2 meals for us)

ALL of the hot sauces were obtained free either with free item coupons or $0.50 off coupons that got doubled. Most of these are going to be donated as my family will never use up 14 bottles of hot sauce. LOL. I can't remember what the rest of the coupons were for, but I'm happy with how I did.

Also, I started joking with the checkout boy. He said they have a special "code" for those ladies that get $100 worth of products and pay only $4. I think he said it was a code 16 which is basically lets the manager know to come to their register and re-check all the coupons to be sure they're all legit. It's a shame they have to do this. They don't trust their customers because they've had too many shots in the feet from them.

Wal-Mart trip 3/11/2010

2010-03-12T13:29:00.003-06:00

Allright, I now have an example of why you should NEVER shop without a plan and with a non-couponer. I love Mr. Newbie to death, but when he comes with me on shopping trips, my budget is totally blown for the week, if not month, in one trip and not much has been bought. He kept throwing stuff in the basket saying "I've been wanting this." That's NOT how to stay on budget, I kept telling him. I bent on some items. I found coupons for others. From now on, he's not coming with me! His job when I shop will be to watch Pre-K Newbie and carry in the groceries. I feel like I left totally ripped off.

We ONLY bought the stuff that was on the belt directly. Everything on there came out of the "grocery" money budget, whether or not it was a grocery item. Fortunately the sales at other stores are good this week so I won't be having to spend too much more.

Coffee Mate Sugar Free Hazelnut $3.12
* Coffee Mate Tiramasu $1.73
Oscar Mayer Bologna $2.00
* DVD-R 30 pack $12.36 (just noticed I got charged for 2 when I only bought 1 - called and will be getting a refund)
* Car Air Freshener $2.38
Car Air Freshener $1.98
* Tony's Mini Pizza $1.50
Tyson Anytizers Chicken Cordon Blue Poppers $6.98 (price was marked $4-something so I need a refund)
Fruit Chillers $1.88
* DiGorno Pizza $5.98
* California Pizza Kitchen pizza $4.98
* TGIF Jalapeno Poppers $4.48
Simply Gogurt Berry $2.34
Dryers Ice Cream $3.98
Purina Little Bites $4.68
Bananas $1.28
* Car Mirror $3.96

* The starred items were what Mr. Newbie said he "had" to have which equaled $34.99 (or actually $43.75 because we got double charged for the DVD's).

Coupons used:

$1.50 off any Tyson Anytizers
$0.40 off any Gogurt
$1.00 off two Coffee Mate
$1.00 off Fruit Chillers
$2.00 off any Purina item
$0.75 off any Dryers
$6.65 total saved

Let's not forget that I will get $12.36 plus tax back for the double charge and somewhere around $2 back for getting overcharged for the Anytizers, but until I do get that back I consider it money spent.

Free Family Fun! Weekend of 3/13/2010

2010-03-12T12:15:00.006-06:00

Gah! I hate sinus infections! It means I don't get to do fun stuff like blogging when I have stuff to blog. It's difficult to concentrate when your brain feels like it's trying to escape through your ears. Well, I'm well enough for right now to get up the free family fun stuff for this weekend. I don't know for how much longer I will feel this well because Mr. Newbie is on a moving around frenzy and dust is getting kicked up like nobody's business.

As always, call your preferred location to ensure they are participating in the event.

Saturday 3/13/2010

10am-11am
Lowes
Make a Tabeltop Basketball game
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
Time varies by store
Borders
Storytime
.pdf of kids events
11am-3pm
Lakeshore Learning Center
Make a Pot O' Gold Bank
Store Crafts
12pm-5pm
Bass Pro Shops
Next Generation Weekend-free fishing basics, casting game, shooting gallery, sailboat races, build a sailboat
2010 Spring Fishing Classic
12pm-2pm
Toys R Us
Barbie Mermaid Party
Store Locator (only at participating locations)
1pm-5pm
Michael's Crafts
Make-it-take-it Fun with Beads
Store Calendar
2pm-3pm
Barnes and Noble
Storytime
Store Locator

Sunday 3/14/2010

12pm-5pm
Bass Pro Shops
Next Generation Weekend-free fishing basics, casting game, shooting gallery, sailboat races, make your own wiggle fish (at noon only)
2010 Spring Fishing Classic
1pm-5pm
Michael's Crafts
Make-it-take-it with purchase Ladybug Clay Pot
Store Calendar

Wednesday 3/17/2010

St. Patrick's Day
(just a reminder)

Have fun, guys! We won't be going to any Saturday events because I won tickets for us to go see Thomas the Tank Engine in Dallas, TX on Saturday. Since we're in Houston, this will be an all day event for us. We won these tickets courtesy of My Dallas Mommy. See, it is worth it to enter blog contests. Real people do win! :)

ETA: There's some more local Houston free/cheap fun over at Houston on the Cheap.

Kroger trip 3/10/10 22% savings!

2010-03-10T12:19:00.005-06:00

I went to Kroger yesterday because we were low on meat. I pretty much stuck to sales and what was marked down for quick sale. I literally only ran in to get some meat and leave. I did take one detour through the pharmacy to see if I could find some of the Vick's cough drops mostly because I need some tissues in my house and I'm all out of my favorite - Puffs Plus with Vick's. I can't seem to find these cough drops ANYWHERE!!! I guess I'll just have to figure out another deal because I definitely don't want those coupons to expire!

Didn't take a picture, but here's the breakdown:

2 corned beef briskets on sale for $2.99/lb - spent $11.75, saved $5.91 off of regular price
1 beef steak reduced to #3.81
4 Kroger frozen chicken Cordon Bleu/Broccoli Cheese - $1.00 each, saved $0.29 each
1 Kroger decongestant - $2.99
1 Pork Steaks $4.87 - saved $0.86

Kroger Plus Savings $7.93 22% savings
No coupons used
Spent $27.42 out of pocket

I really think I did pretty well considering it's all meat. I love me some corned beef! I've been stocking up on it because this is the only time of year we can get it here in Houston without special ordering it. I've been freezing a lot of it to have later on. I love how I can just put it in the slow cooker early in the morning and when everyone comes home all I have to worry about is a vegetable and maybe some potatoes. I do this when we have to go out early and will be home late. It's so worth it!

Oh, has anyone else ever tried the nasal decongestant inhalers? I have really bad sinus problems. Seriously, bad!!! I haven't been able to smell anything in 3 years. Taking over the counter medications don't do anything except relieve the pain. They don't help clear the stuffiness. I have a prescription that's run out, but can't afford to see the doc to get it refilled and he won't allow it through the pharmacy (besides, it costs $40 and it's a generic). I would prefer this one the most because it also has a steroid for the inflammation, but I need to do what I can which is OTC remedies. Any suggestions?

Even the Wall Street Journal is acknowledging coupons for what it is.

2010-03-09T15:38:00.002-06:00

Couponing is an Extreme Sport, Fueled by a Recessionary Spurt of Frugality

I find this quote interesting:

"All the deal making isn't great for grocers, some of which have seen their profits squeezed by discounting. Craig Herkert, chief executive of Supervalu Inc., operator of Jewel, Albertson's and other supermarkets, recently told analysts that shoppers with an eye for discounts were "executing with surgical precision."

Thing is, yeah we're doing it with precision but so are grocers. They stock impulse items all over. Candy is at eye level to tots. We're basically saying that our money is OURS and not the grocers. The manufacturers are trying to help us buy THEIR products by giving us these discounts. They get an extra $0.08 per coupon. How is that making their profits smaller?

February Savings

2010-03-08T19:16:00.004-06:00

I finally got all my receipts together for February. Here's how I did:

February-at-a-Glance
Total Shelf Cost:	$ 796.02	Monthly Budget:	$ 400.00
Total Coupon Savings:	$ 173.30	Variance:	$ (44.83)
Total Savings:	$ 351.19	Tax Paid	$ 10.89
Amount Paid (after rebates):	$ 444.83
Savings Rate:	44.12%	Amount Paid (exc. Rebates)	$ 444.83

Wow! I only went $44.83 over what I had wanted to spend. That was awesome - especially considering that last month's budget was twice as large as this month. I figured out my secret - I need to take out the money for my spending as soon as possible and NOT use my debit card. The reason I went over was because I did use my debit card. The reason it was only $44.83 over was because I took the money out and used my debit card in extreme cases.

Otherwise, here's how I'm doing so far this year:

Month	Shelf	Coupons	Discounts	Savings $	My Price	Savings Rate	Goal	Variance
January	$ 1,199.97	$ 207.94	$ 253.54	$ 461.48	$ 738.49	38.46%	$ 800.00	$ 61.51
February	$ 796.02	$ 173.30	$ 177.89	$ 351.19	$ 444.83	44.12%	$ 400.00	$ (44.83)
TOTALS	$ 1,995.99	$ 381.24	$ 431.43	$ 812.67	$ 1,183.32	40.72%	$ 5,200.00	$ 4,016.68

Dollar General & Walgreens run on Saturday

2010-03-07T13:02:00.003-06:00

Allright, so because of some things that needed to be done, we spent last night at my in-laws house. Thing is... I forgot to bring dog food with us. Ugh! Well, it's not like I didn't need some at home anyway. We took a quick run to Dollar General to pick some up. I remembered that Dollar General accepts coupons, so brought that with me. Let me tell you, Dollar General is NOT friendly to people that come in with backpacks and large bags! I use a backpack instead of a purse. It's more me. I just prefer it and have for years. More than once I've been asked to leave my backpack at the front counter and I've explained that they wouldn't require a lady to leave their purse there, so they shouldn't require me to leave my backpack either. I'm not a student coming in after school. Those "rules" are for the kids that come in, not adults. I also explain how I'll hold the store liable for the contents of my bag should it get stolen or rifled through. I've got my ID's, debit cards, and checks in there, just as if it was a purse. They try to tell me it's not their concern and I retort that it's not my concern to leave it with them either. At this point they either tell me it's fine for me to proceed or tell me they won't bend their rules. I have left at this point and given my money to other stores on more than one occasion I figure it's their loss.

This trip, I did get a couple of looks because of what I carried in with me, but no one asked me to surrender my belongings. I'll accept that. I didn't have any coupons for the dog foods they had, but at least they did have a cheap product. I did have a coupon for the dog bone treats, making them pretty cheap, which is why I did bother with them.

Dollar General:
Ever Pet General dog food: $2.00
Milk Bone Dog Biscuits: $2.60

Used a $2.00 off Milk Bone Coupon
Paid $2.60 out of pocket (there was probably some tax, but I can't find the receipt)

Walgreens:
3 Sunday Houston Chronicle newspapers $6.00
2 Tylenol Simply Sleep (for the overage after coupons) $5.98
1 pack of L&M cigarrettes not pictured $3.98 (I think)

Used 2 Tylenol printable coupons for $2.00 off each and 2 Tylenol Simply Sleep $1.50 off coupons from the March coupon book giving me $1 overage toward my order.

Once I find the receipt I'll update the full details, but at Walgreens it was something like $9.50 spent and $14.00 saved.

Couple of updates 3/9/10:
The dog food wasn't actually a deal. Coupon Doggie won't eat it. Grrrr. Coupon Kitty actually took a few bites, which is really weird.

Found the receipts:

Dollar General
Milk Bone Medium Dog Biscuits $2.60, used $2.00 off coupon, paid $0.60
Everpet Basics Dog food $2.00
Out of pocket $2.60

Walgreens
2-Simply Sleep 24 count $2.99 each, used two $2.00 off manufacturer coupons and 1 coupon from the March Walgreens coupon book, $1.00 money maker
3-Houston Chronicles $6.00
L&M King's $3.95
Out of pocket $9.26
Walgreens advertised savings: $7.35
Manufacturer coupon savings: $7.00
Total savings: $14.35 OMG those few items would have been $23.61 - and to think some people willingly pay that!)

Walgreens - SO MUCH STUFF FOR FREE!!!!

2010-03-04T18:20:00.006-06:00

I'm going to be completely blunt here. This week, we're totally broke. Mr. Newbie's work comp didn't kick in and won't until next week (cross fingers), so we had to spend our emergency fund on rent. Our emergency fund wasn't even at $100 yet (we're striving for $1,000). Fortunately we did have this so making rent isn't impossible, however grocery shopping will be. I still have a full tank in my car and Mr. Newbie has about 1/4 tank. I have food stockpiled. I'm not worried - just annoyed.

That being said, I couldn't pass up the Purex deal at Walgreens this week. For the entire month of March they're on sale for buy-1-get-1-free. A couple of weeks ago there was a buy-1-get-1-free coupon in the paper. What does that mean? FREE LAUNDRY SOAP!!!!! Of course, Walgreens was out of some other money maker items, but they weren't going to be useful for me except for them being money makers. I got what I really wanted! :) They made me do this in 2 transactions, which I was fine with. The cashier tried to convince me to only buy 4. There were still some left on the shelf and my headaches haven't gone away (I went to the ER a week ago today due to a sinus pressure headache like I've never felt before in my life), so I wasn't really in the mood to think about when I would've been able to come back before my Q's expired to get the other 2. Sorry. We were totally out of pop and the Dr. Pepper 2-liters were on sale for $1.00 each, so I picked up 1 for each transaction.

If you're curious, no I wouldn't have done this unless I could've gotten them all for free. I have $15 to my name until Tuesday. Mr. Newbie has less. Right now, Pre-K Newbie probably has more than the rest of us combined. LOL.

Here's another reason I wouldn't have done this unless it was free:

This is my current laundry stockpile. It's the only thing I have that's stockpiled well. If it wasn't free, considering my money situation for this week, I definitely wouldn't have needed it. That's the beauty of having a stockpile. Should something like this happen, you're not in a panic. You know what you got, where you got it, and that you have enough to use. I barely paid anything for what you see here.

The breakdown:
I'm trying to do this from memory:
8 All Small & Mighty - $0.50 each
2 Arm & Hammer - probably paid $1 or $2 each and I bought 4 at once
6 Purex - FREE
3 Purex 3-in-1 - Guessing about $2 or $2.50 each (I mostly bought these for Dale since he was an over the road trucker and these would travel easily
2 Snuggle Sheets - FREE
1 Shout Gel - can't remember. Probably paid full price because I've had it for a while
1 Wool Wash from the Dollar Store $1
1 Tide Stain Release - probably about $2 or $2.50
1 Oxy Clean starter kit - FREE
Various samples/trial sizes in the top right Purex sheets box - FREE (there's 8 packs in there now)
1 bottle of vinegar $2.50 for the large generic
(not pictured because I don't use it often so I store it elsewhere) - 1 bottle of generic bleach - probably about $2.50

I think that comes to under $30 for all the stuff above. Imagine what it would've cost without sales and coupons. I don't even want to think about it!!!!!!

Family Fun for weekend of 3/5/10

2010-03-04T10:29:00.004-06:00

Sorry it's not in the normal format, but I'm about to rush out of the door and wanted to be sure I got this posted ASAP. All of these events happen on Saturday and it's always recommended to check with your favorite location before going to be sure they're participating.

Saturday 9am-12pm
Home Depot
Make a Rain Gauge
Personally, I haven't had any problems with Ian being able to do these EXCEPT for the Home Depot on 646 & 45, even though he's 3.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?catalogId&langId=-1&pn=Kids_Workshops&storeId=10051

11am-12pm
Borders Baybrook
Storytime
When I went in December, they told me they do this every week. I haven't been back since because Ian's not too fond of sitting still for a story, but I'd double check to be sure.
Click on "store events" for a .pdf monthly calendar http://www.borders.com/online/store/Landing?type=1&nav=5185+501363&kids=true

11am-3pm
Lakeshore Learning Center
Make a Crazy Kaleidoscope
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/general_content/store_locations/storeCrafts.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1267205808330

2pm-3pm
Barnes & Noble Baybrook
Story Time
Store Locator http://www.borders.com/online/store/LocatorView

All of these activities are FREE!!!!! During Christmas time, I tried to drag Pre-schooler Newbie around to each and every one of them, but it didn't work out so well. I definitely will be taking him to Home Depot because it's practically right next door to me (in Pearland on 518 & Clear Lake City Blvd). I could walk there if I had to.

Have a fun weekend!

ETA:

Just found this one (3/5/10 at 4:30pm)

10am-1pm
Michael's Crafts
Make-it-take it yarn doll
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?reg_source=WKY01220&cm_ven=mic&cm_cat=wkly&cm_pla=email&cm_ite=wkly012210&page=store_events

Coupon Policies

2010-03-03T13:20:00.003-06:00

Many stores have their coupon policies online. I like to print them up and keep them in my coupon binder for times that I have difficulties using my coupons at certain stores. It's always a good idea to do this. I haven't had to use it yet, but I've almost had to a few times. If you don't, sometimes coupons become a your-mileage-may-vary situation which is NOT good for you as the consumer. You spent your time researching these deals. You also spent your energy choosing this particular store. If a store wants my business again, they will keep me as the customer in mind, not the uneducated checkout lady that isn't familiar with the coupon policies.

Keep in mind, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Be nice when you're asking for "clarification" of what you don't understand.

Wal-Mart
Target
Walgreens (no matter how much we beg, they seem to want to refuse getting a written online policy)
Kroger doesn't have a policy, but Mommy Snacks has the most comprehensive list of FAQ's that she sent to corporate and got answers for.
HEB also doesn't have a policy, but Hot Coupon World has a very comprehensive FAQ's also. update 3/10/10: There's another post by Frugal Reality about what one of her readers' conversations with HEB
Randall's
Fiesta - I can't seem to find one online. If anyone reading might know of where I can find one, please leave me a comment. :)

The Ethics of Bending the Coupon Rules

2010-03-02T19:01:00.002-06:00

You might want to check out this post by Guy With Coupons. He's been having an interesting... well, let's just say issue happening at his job lately. In this post he addresses the legality of expiration dates on coupons in certain states. Now, let me state one fact here: I do not condone coupon fraud! However, he makes some interesting points/counterpoints in his post. It's definitely worth the read.

Wal-Mart trip 2/25/2010

2010-03-02T16:29:00.000-06:00

I know I shop there a lot, but I really dislike Wal-Mart. Their prices are normally higher than anywhere else and even with a list I end up buying more than I planned - because that's the type of place Wal-Mart is for me. It's also the closest place for me to get to. I normally use their pharmacy because it's the least expensive. Thing is, this time I took a look at some of the good deals I could get there. I decided to go ahead and use some coupons that would give me overage since I had to get to prescriptions (thankfully they were both on the $4.00 list). The cashier was skeptical at first to give me so much overage, but the ladies behind me were very impressed! I explained to them how the overage worked and the cashier agreed with me. The ladies asked me questions like where I got my coupons and I explained. They were just in awe that most of the stuff I bought was with coupons. If you look out there, most things have a coupon available. MOST, not all.

Here's the other thing. I had 3 items to return today. We bought a dog collar that was just too small. I bought Kiddo Newbie a t-shirt that was 18 months instead of 3T because I was in a hurry and didn't look at the size. There was also a dog shirt that Mr. Newbie said he didn't like at all even though it had a pirate/seaman theme and skull and crossbones. I returned that last item expecting to get the $3 I paid for it back. The $3 tag was even still on it. They scanned the barcode and gave me close to $9 back! The $3 tag was plainly on the shirt and it was definitely a Wal-Mart markdown tag. That's up to them now, I figure.

Breakdown:
International Delight Coffee Creamer $2.26 (used free item coupon)
3-Knox gelatin $1.32 each (used 3-$4 off coupon - $8.04 overage)
2-Prescriptions $8
4-Coffee Mate Originals Sticks $.92 each (used 2-b1g1f coupons)
2-12 pack Shick disposable razors $1.97 each (used 3-$3 off coupons - $3.09 overage)
2-Shake-N-Bake $1.83 each (used 2-$0.75 off coupons)
1-Corned Beef $4.96

Total before coupons: $28.43
Total after coupons:$5.83 (yes, that's $2.17 less than the cost of the prescriptions alone)

Oh, and I promised one of the little girls outside the store that I would buy a box of Girl Scout cookies from her when I got out, which is why there's a box of Thanks A Lot's in the bag. ~~I hear they're good. They better be for $3.50 a box!~~ They're really nothing to write home about. Next year I'll get my standard whatever-the-name-of-the-shortbread-is.

At least it's for charity.

I liked how I did so well that when I went to Walgreen's to refill my color ink cartridge for 58% off, as is today's daily deal, I bought myself a cheap bottle of wine. This cost me $3.24.