Is it just me, or did it seem like March’s Proctor and Gamble coupons had a much higher value this month? If you were able to get your hands on a few of the P & G Brandsaver inserts (which comes out on the first Sunday of each month), you are in luck. Kroger is running some fantastic deals this week – but you need the coupons AND the online Kroger coupons in order to save the most money. Remember, Kroger doubles coupons up to $.50 face value every day. Why would I shop anywhere else? Here is what I scored yesterday:

• Pamper Wipes: (3x)$2.49 – $1.00 eCpn – (3x) $1 Sunday Q = $3.47 for THREE
• Puffs: (3x) $1.99 – $.50 eCpn – (3x) $1.00 Sunday Q = $2.47 for THREE
• 8 Roll Bounty: $6.49 – $2.00 eCpn – $1.00 Mailer Q = $3.49
• Charmin: $6.49 – $3.00 eCpn – $1.00 Mailer Q = $2.49
• Secret: $1.99 – $.50 eCpn – $1.00 Sunday Q = $.49
• 2 Old Spice Deo: (2x) $1.99 – $1.00 eCpn – $1.00 Sunday Q = $1.98 for TWO
• Downy: $4.99 – $1.00 eCpn – $1.00 Mailer Q = $2.99
• Febreeze Air Effects: $2.49 – $1.00 eCpn – $1.00 Sunday Q = $.49
• Schick Hydro Razor: $5.99 – $4.00 eCpn – $2.00 Sunday Q = FREE plus $.01
• Febreeze Air Freshener: $2.99 – $1.00 eCpn – $1.00 Sunday Q = $.99
• Tide Stain Release Liquid: $5.99 – $3.00 eCpn – $3.00 Sunday Q = FREE plus $.01
• Tide Stain Release Tablets: $5.99 – $3.00 Sunday Q = $2.99

My total price for all of the above: $21.83 plus tax. Somehow, I need to figure out how to get the best deals with the BOGOF Tide Detergent/Stain Release coupons. Will report.

Have you been reading my other “new” blog, Food. (Just Sayin’)? If so, then you already know that since the beginning of the year, we have made the switch to a more organic, natural foods lifestyle. Sadly, yes, my grocery budget has gone up. (*die*) I’m still doing my best to use coupons and save money whenever possible. My “Affording Organics” series explains some of the ways we’ve been able to make all of this possible. If you have any other suggestions, I beg ask you to please share! The above picture shows the items I bought that are organic/natural:

• 2 Organic Mustards: $.99 each clearance
• Organic Salsa: $2.00 sale
• Annie’s Bunny Grahams: $3.34
• Navy Beans: $.95 sale
• Horizon Org. Half and half: $1.99 clearance
• Pecans & Cashew snacks: $2.19 each clearance
• Yogurt covered almonds: $ 2.39 clearance
• Wholly Gucamole: $1.99 sale – $1.00 sunday Q = $.99
• Shallots: $.62
• Org. Chocolate Milk: $2.99 sale
• Org. 2% Milk: $6.19 sale (I know…can you believe that is the SALE price? *gulp*)
• Org. Flour: $3.47 sale
• Fresh Mozzarella: $2.49 each clearance
• Horizon Org. Cream cheese: $1.39 each clearance
• Org. baby carrots: $2.00 sale
• Alexia Org. fries: $2.49 each sale – (2x) $1.00 printable = $1.49 each
• Newman’s Popcorn:$3.29 - $1.00 printable = $2.29
• Org. coconut milk: $2.49
• Org. fresh oregano: $.45 clearance
• Eggland’s Best Cage-free eggs: $3.19 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $2.19
• Cilantro: $.50
• Green chilies:$.31
• Kashi Cereal Fruit Bars: $2.99 – (2x) $1.00 printable = $1.99 each
• Org. Tortilla chips:3/$5.00 sale
• Org. tomato sauce: $.99 each sale
• Org. sweet peas: $1.19
• Whole wheat english muffins: $1.29
• Hormel Natural Ham: $3.99 – $1.00 = $2.99
• Matt’s Org. orange juice: $6.19 – $1.00 company Q = $5.19 (that’s another cost that’s hard to swallow)
• Cascadian Farms granola bars: $2.49 sale
• Org. tomato paste: $1.29 each – (2x) $.75 printable = $.54 each

And…for all the other items…

• Purex: $2.18 clearance – $1.00 Sunday Q = $1.18
• Gain Fab. softener: $5.88 – $3.00 Sunday Q = $2.88
• Pickles: $3.49 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $2.49
• Coffee-mate: $2.99 sale
• Yoplait Yogurt: $1.99 each sale – (3x) $1.00 Sunday Q = $.99 each
• Gosh Darned Orange Cranberry Cookies…I totally did NOT need these but they kept pleading for me to take them home: $3.49
• Mug Root Beer (Hansen’s wasn’t on sale): $.95 sale
• Ronzoni Pasta: $1.29 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $.29
• Daisy cottage cheese: $3.39 sale
• Honey Nut & Cinnamon Burst Cheerios: $2.18 each sale – $.75 eCpn - $1.00/2 printable = $1.31 each
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $2.18 each sale – (2x) $.55 eCpn – (2x) $.55 printable = $1.08 each

Full price total: $225.66

Minus sale prices: $36.39

Minus store, eCpn and paper coupons: 59.55

My cost: $129.72

Not too bad…right?

For the past two weeks, Kroger has been running this “Game Day” Mega Event. For those that aren’t familiar, these mega events will save you $5 at the register when you buy a mix of ten participating items…as many times as you want (so basically, when you buy 10, you are taking an additional $.50 off of each item minus the coupon value.) I was both, delighted and a bit confused by this particular Mega Event. There seemed to be no real rhyme or reason to the products that are on sale. Though, I’m sure there is some sort of method to their madness. Regardless, if you have the right coupons, it makes for a nice time to stock up.

Whenever these Mega Events are being offered, be sure to take along your coupon organizer. In my experience, there are twice as many products included in the sale than are advertised in the sale flyer.

Here are a few of my highlights from last week (the sale is continuing this week):

• All Detergent: $3.77 – $1.00 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $2.27 each
• Finish Dishwasher Tabs: $3.49 – $2.25 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale =$.74 for a 20 pack (don’t miss this one!)
• Softsoap Handsoap: $.88 – $.35 Sunday Q (doubled to $.70) = $.18 each (not part of the event but time to stock up! Especially for a chronic hand washing family…ehem…)
• Coffee Filters: $2.00 – $1.00/2 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $1.00 each
• Snuggle 80 ct.: $3.49 – $.75 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $2.24
• I also noticed they have a BUNCH of health/beauty items on clearance. Be sure to check out that aisle and combine with coupons!

• Ken’s Dressing:$1.99 – $1.00 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $.49 each (for that price, will donate to Husband’s lodge)
• RoTel:$.99 – $.30 (double to $.60) Sunday Q o- $.50 event sale = Make $.11 on each can
• French’s Yellow Mustard:$1.99 – $.50 (double to $1.00) – $.50 event sale = $.49
• Steamfresh Frozen Vegetables: $1.99 – $1/2 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $.99
• Philly Cream Cheese: $1.79 – $1/2 Printable – $.50 event sale = $.79
• Frank’s Red Hot: $1.99 – $.50 (double to $1.00) – $.50 event sale = $.49
• Triscuits: $2.49 – $1/2 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $1.49
• Kettle Chips: $1.99 – $1.00 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $.49
• French’s Brown Mustard: $1.19 – $.75 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = Make $.06 each
• Kraft Singles: $1.99 – $.75 Sunday Q – $.50 event sale = $.74

I’m sure there are many other stock up items that suit your family’s needs. For the Kroger Central Region, the sale ends tomorrow…so get goin’!

Well…wait…

I can’t possibly let this post publish without mentioning a few other great deals going on…

• Hershey Bars: 2/$1 – BOGOF Sunday Q = $.25 each
• Wholly Guacamole: $1.99 – $.50 Sunday Q (double to $1) = $.99
• Colgate: $.98 – $.50 Sunday Q = Make $.02 each
• Sunny D: $1.00 – $.25  Sunday Q (double to $.50) = $.50
• Men’s Suave: $1.67 – $.50 (double to $1) – $1.00 ecoupon = Make $.33
• Skintimate Shaving Cream: $1.72 clearance – $1/2 Sunday Q = $1.22

Okay…NOW you can go shop.

Last week (and this week too) Kroger has its Mega Event going on. This is a store promotion that will save you $5 at the register for every 10 of certain items you buy. There is no limit on how many promos you can get, so this event is always a nice time to stock up. I do believe this promo is on a cycle that runs for three sale weeks, takes a few weeks off and returns again. Typically, many of the items involved in this particular sale will also match up with available coupons – Sunday or printables. Let me show you how I worked this to my advantage last week.

Mega Event #1

10 Bumble Bee Tuna Pouches: $9.90 – (10x) $.55 Sunday Q’s = $4.40

Minus $5.00 promo

They paid me $.60 to take these 10 pouches. Gotta love FREE!

Mega Event #2

• 4 Chex Cereals: $9.16 – (2x) $1.00 ecoupon + (2x) $1.00 Sunday Q = $5.16 for four
• 2 Trix Cereals: $4.58 – $.55 ecoupon – $1.00 Sunday Q = $3.03 for two
• 2 HN Cheerios Cereals: $4.58 – (2x) $.55 printable Q = $3.48 for two
• 2 Lean Pockets: $4.56 – (2x) $1.00 Sunday Q = $2.56 for two

Total: $14.23 – $5.00 promo = $9.23 (that’s $.92 per item)

Mega Event #3

• 3 Fruit Gushers: $5.97
• 3 Starbucks coffees: $20.97 – (3x) $1.50 store coupons = $16.47
• 4 Kleenex: $5.96 – Buy 3 get one free Sunday Q = $4.47

Total: $26.91 – $5.00 promo = $21.91

Mega Event #4

• Jimmy D’s: $4.49 – $1.00 product Q – $1.00n ecoupon = $2.49
• Mott’s apple juice: $1.99
• Gorton’s Fish: $2.99 – $1.00 sunday Q = $1.99
• Pepperidge Farms Bread: $2.69 – $.80 sunday q = $1.89
• 2 Steamfresh: $3.98 – (2x) $.70 printables = $2.58 for two
• 4 Cesar Dog Foods: $3.00 – $1.00 Kroger Q – $.75 Sunday Q = $1.25 for four

Total: $18.66 – $5.00 promo = $13.66

Mega Event #5

• 2 Cesar Dog Foods: $1.50
• 8 Cans Wolf Chili: $11.92 – (8x) $1.00 Sunday Q’s o= $3.92 for eight

Total: $5.42 – $5.00 promo = $.42

So…all in all…my total for the above FIFTY items was $44.62…that’s only $.89 for each product. See how taking advantage of store promos can help you stock your shelves along with saving you LOTS of money? Combine those store promos with deals like:

• 10 Banquet Fruit Pies: $6.40 – (10x) $.64 sunday Q = TEN FREE!

(How does one have a $.64 coupon? Well, the coupon was actually for $.35. Since Kroger doubles coupons up to $.50 every day, this would put the coupon over the price of the pies, so the register adjusted down.)

Then…combine all of that with the numerous clearanced items you can find around the store.

Clearance Total: $7.21 ($.80 per item)

Add in all of the other groceries you have coupons for:

And then to top off the whole trip, there are the items that you just need to have…90% which are at least on sale, but you don’t have coupons for. Hey, you can’t get EVERYTHING for a deal ALL of the time. *wink*

Here’s the damage:

Full Total: $271.68

If I stopped my savings with $90.06 in sales, my total would have been: $181.62

But, by adding on $54.75 in coupons, MY total was: $126.87

How did you do this week?

Two weeks. Two whole weeks since I have gotten groceries.

And the time went where? What in the world did we eat? Obviously, there was enough “stock up” to get us by. Therefore, Sunday shopping was in order. No! Not SUNDAY shopping! Not “waste the weekend doing weekday shopping!” I suppose hungry bellies do not wait for the week to start. *sigh* Grabs coupons and reusable bags- trudges out the door – drives with radio turned up REALLY loud because if I can’t yell, someone has to.

Fortunately for everyone around me, the Kroger crowd was very light that day (obviously NO one wants to shop on Sunday.) I pretty much flew through the aisles, grabbed what I came for and headed towards the cashier. You see, I always have this OCD “pre-checkout” ritual that I do:

• A once over at my cart to make sure I’m not forgetting anything
• Since I write prices on my shopping list, I add everything up on the calculator (a girl has got to know what she’s spending!)
• If I’m over my budget, I’ll look to see what I do not need
• Quickly sift through the coupons to ensure they are all correct

I know what you are thinking…who has time for this? Once it becomes your “ritual”, it takes no time at all.  Recently, I’ve tried to challenge myself to lower my grocery budget to $50 per week. I have yet to actually hit $50, but I will NEVER reach this goal if I don’t double check everything. I know I can do it…I’m just not ready to part with fresh mozzarella a few items quite yet. *wink*

My total was around $84-ish – which really isn’t too bad when you consider I haven’t shopped in two weeks…AND that includes a few non-grocery items. A few of the deals I found:

• Dentyne: $.64 – $1 Sunday Q = FREE + $.36
• Eggland’s Best Eggs: $2.59 – $1.00 mag Q = $1.59
• 3 Starkist Tuna: $3 – B2GOF = $2 for THREE
• 3 Horizon Vanilla Milks: (clearance) $1.65 – $1 on 3 peelie = $.65 for THREE
• 3 Bare Naked Granolas: $6.00 – (3x) $1 peelies = $3.00
• 40 pk. Finish Dishwasher pacs: $6.69 – $2.50 Sunday Q = $4.19
• Fresh Mozzarella: $4.99 – $.55 Sunday Q – $4.44
• Hydroponic Tomatoes: (clearance) $1.49 pk (since my garden ones aren’t ripening fast enough for my consumption)
• Nut Thins: $2.50 – $1 Mambo Sprouts booklet = $1.50
• Except for the cat litter and the golden raisins, everything else was bought at sale price.

Kroger is also  having it’s “Buy 10 participating items, Get $5 off at the register” event. Whenever this special comes about, I ALWAYS try and stock up on the items for which I have coupons – that is how you will maximize your event savings.

• 2 liquid Soft Soap: $3.00 – (2x) $1 printable = $1 for TWO
• 2 Kraft Mayo: $4.38 – $1.50/2 Sunday Q = $2.88 for TWO
• Activia: $1.99 – $1 Sunday Q = $.99
• 2 Welch’s Juices: $5.98 – (2x) $1 printable = $3.98 for TWO
• 2 Large Captain Crunch: $5.38 – (2x) $1.00 Sunday Q = $3.38 for TWO
• 2 Sweet Potato Fries: $5.58 – $1 Kroger Q = $4.58 for TWO
• 3 DanActive: $6.87 – (3x) $1 = $3.87 for THREE
• 2 Planters Nut-rition bars: $5.00 – (2x) $.75 Sunday Q = $3.50 for TWO
• 2 Kraft Cheese: $4.76 – $1/2 blinkie = $3.76 for TWO
• No coupons for coffee filters ($1.50) or cream cheese ($1.49)

I checked out.

Her total? $98.40.*whah?*

Did I forget how to add? Hmm…maybe I left something out. That’s quite a difference.

Since I was in a bit of a hurry to get home, I loaded up my grocs and headed down the street. After reaching a few miles, I decided to take another look at my receipt.

UURRRTTTTT! Stop. When possible, make a legal u-turn.

They overcharged me on FIVE items! Instead of the granola being $2.00, they charged me $3.99 AND they didn’t give me the sale price on chicken!

How dare they?!? Okay…I understand that mistakes happen. AND…if it was only a buck or two, I would have been mad kept driving. For $10.63, I turned back around and went straight up to the customer service counter. All in all, they were very apologetic and friendly about the situation (even though the machine was broke and they couldn’t refund my debit card and now I have to make.another.trip.tothebank…)

What’s the moral here? When at all possible, watch the screen while you are being checked out. It’s much easier to catch price mismatches on the spot…rather than five miles down the road. Was it all worth it? You be the judge.

Total: $158.63
Minus Sales: $45.22
If I ONLY shopped using store sales, my cash total would have been: $113.41
But, by using $25.64 in coupons…my total ended up as:
$87.77

How did you do this week?

I must say that I love these types of deals because typically, the products involved, are ones we use on a regular basis…AND, they often have coupons (paper AND digital coupons!)

What did I pay for some of these items?

• Kettle Chips: Mark down $1.24 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $.24 per bag
• Chex Mix: $1.50 – $.50 Cellfire or Shortcuts – $1.00 Sunday Q = FREE
• Nut Clusters: $2.29 – $1.00 Cellfire – $1.00 Sunday Q = $.29 per bag
• Trix Yogurts: $2.00 – $.80 Cellfire – $.80 Sunday Q = $.40 6 pk.
• Large Dawn Hand Renewal: $1.99 – $1.00 Sunday Q (or booklet) = $.99 each

I could go on and on how I saved that week – but it’s been two weeks ago and I think you get the picture. Over all:
Total: $179.69
After sales & coupons: $76.94

Now we are on to last week…still the Cart Buster event.
All of the items above, I bought with coupons. Yeah, it’s a lot, but I saved a bundle!
(see Coupon Stink Eye) A few of the deals:

• Pillsbury Simply cookies: $2.00 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $1.00
• Eggland’s Cage Free Eggs: $3.19 – $3.19 FREE coupon (I won) = FREE
• Barilla Mini pasta: $1.00 – $.55 Sunday Q = $.45 per box
• More Kettle Chips, more Dawn, more Nut clusters, more Chex Mix
• Millstone Whole Bean coffee: $7.79 – $2.00 Sunday Q = $5.79
• Qt. Coffeemate Vanilla Creamer: $2.88 – $.75 printable = $2.13
• Edy’s Ice cream: $2.49 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $1.49
• Softsoap: $1.00 – $.70 printable = $.30
• Steamers: $1.28 – $1.00 on two Sunday Q’s = $.78 each

(remember, Kroger doubles coupons so some of the amounts listed are the doubled amounts)

And again..on and on and on…
Total: $207.37
Total after sales & coupons: $96.99

So, in two weeks, I have saved $213.13 by stacking paper coupons on top of digital coupons on top of already sale marked items. It takes a little bit of time, but SO worth it!

These were my “on sale” and “clearance” items. Some items you just need even without a coupon.

Are you familiar with eCoupons? For instance, Cellfire or Shortcuts digital coupon sites? I have already been loading my Kroger card each week with Cellfires – but today was my first attempt with Shortcuts. Of course, I saved some extra money and loved it. *wink*

eCoupons are very easy to use; both services are free. All you have to do is sign up, register your store shopping card and swipe away! The great thing about eCoupons is that you can stack them with paper coupons to maximize your savings. For example, Wolfgang Puck organic soup was on sale at Kroger for $2.50 per can (I would NEVER pay that much for soup.) Shortcuts had $1.00 off coupon PLUS I had a Sunday coupon for $1.00 off. I paid $.50 for the soup – that is more my speed.
Here are a few others:

• Fiber 1 Yogurt: $2.49 – $1.00 Cellfire – $1.00 printable = $.49
• Progresso Chicken Broth: $2.79 – $.50 Shortcuts – $1.00 Sunday Q = $1.29
• 4 cans Manwich: $4.00 – B3G1Free Q – $.50 Shortcuts = $2.50 for FOUR
• 2 5ct. Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls: $2.00 – (2x) $2.00 printables – $1.00 Cellfire = FREE PLUS $1.00
• 2 4 ct. Crescent Rolls: $2.00 – $1.00 Sunday Q – $1.00 Shortcuts = TWO FREE
• 6 Yoplait Yogurts: $3.60 – $1.00 Printable – 1.00 Shortcuts = $1.60 for SIX

See how this works? So, I got all of that for $5.38! That’s a STEAL!

Above: All items except for three on clearance were bought using coupons. On top of that, almost all of them were at a sale price to start with!

Below: The rest…mostly on sale.

A few other goods worth mentioning:

• 4 Boxes Kraft Mac & Cheese: $3.72 – B3G1Free Q = $2.79 for four
• 2 Steamfresh Veggies/Rice: $2.00 – (2x) $.70 Sunday Q’s = $.60 for two bags
• 2 Hershey Bars: $1.00 – B1G1Free Q = $.50 for two
• 2 Pudding Snack Packs: $2.00 – $.60 on 2 Q = $1.40 for two
• Hillshire Farms Deli Ham: $3.00 – $.70 Sunday Q = $2.30
• Brown & Serve Sausage: $1.00 – $.70 Banquet Box Q = $.30
• 3 V-8 Fusions: $7.47 - (3x) $1.00 Printable = $4.47 for THREE
• 2 Mighty Dogs: $1.24 – B1G1Free Q = $.62 for TWO
• 6 Del Monte Naturals: $6.00 – (2x) $1.00 off 3 printables = $4.00 for SIX
• Turkey Hill Ice Cream: $2.49 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $1.49
• Quaker Instant Oatmeal: $1.88 – $1.00 printable = $.88
• Starbucks coffee: on clearance for $4.59 – $1.00 printable = $3.59 (and if you read yesterday’s post, you can imagine how happy I was about that!)
• Star Garlic Vinegar: $2.74 – FREE Mailer Q worth $4 = $1.26 GAIN (I just noticed that somehow she rang it up twice – so another $4.00 was taken off – sometimes you get a break, right?)
  
• 4 Starkist Tuna Pouches: $4.00 – (4x) $1.00 printables = FOUR FREE
  
• 12 DB. Roll Cottenelle: $5.88 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $4.88
• 3 Rotel Tomatoes: $2.76 – (3x) $.50 blinkies = $1.26 for THREE
• Dreamfield’s Spaghetti: $2.25 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $1.25
• 2 Ole El Paso Sides: $2.50 – (2x) $1.00 printable = $.50 for TWO
• 2 Velveeta Shells: $3.72 – $1.50 on 2 printable (no longer avail.) = $2.22 for TWO

So, besides all of that detailed info (which some of you may appreciate if you have the sales/coupon match ups in your area), here is what it all boils down to:

Total: $123.31
Sale price savings: $30.34
Coupons & eCoupons: $46.54
My Cash Total: $46.43
A savings of: $76.88

With a little time and planning, you too can become a Cheapo McFrugalpants!

More Thrifty Thursday ideas at Coupon Teacher