The Shopping Adventures of Cheapo McFrugalpants » Uncategorized

Frugal Friday: Drowning In Reusable Bags

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:20:15 +0000

Do you love expo halls? Are you addicted to blogging conferences? Does your job require you to work with many advertisers and promoters?

Did you attend BlogHer ’10?

Does this look familiar?

Believe it or not, I returned from NYC with over THIRTY reusable bags…yes…thirty (possibly even more.)

What? Does that seem excessive to you? *snicker*

Well, after last year’s experience with overflowing tote bag booty, I knew I wanted to do the same again this year…and actually WELCOMED the donated bags.

You may be asking, ” What does Frugal Friday and reusable bags have in common?” It’s a little something I like to call “Phree-lanthropy” – it means being able to give to charity or help those less fortunate without the donation affecting your everyday budget. Would you like to participate? Here’s the 411:

It’s called Operation Classroom.

Being active in Missions, I have done collections for this organization over the past 5 or 6 years. There are many facets to this volunteer program, one being the collecting of school supplies and the assembling of “Y.E.S. Kits” out of tote bags. Once collected, Operation Classroom ships these MUCH needed supplies to their teams in Liberia and Sierra Leone. When received, they are handed out to the citizens there in hopes of helping them to rebuild their societies. Can’t you just imagine the excitement in a small child’s face when they are handed one of YOUR tote bags filled with longed for school supplies? Though it may be difficult to imagine in our country, but there, supplies are scarce. For instance, each teacher is allowed ONE stick of chalk to last the entire school year. You CAN make a difference!

Carolyn Wagner, one of the founders of Operation Classroom said these colorful tote bags would make GREAT Y.E.S Kits! Please consider sending yours. You can pick up soft Priority Mail envelopes for FREE at your local post office. Stuff them full of bags and send them to:

Operation Classroom Totes
PO Box 246
Colfax, IN 46035

They will make sure the bags get filled and boxed from there. If you are feeling EXTRA generous, tax-deductible donations can be made through their website. Also, if you would like to send your totes already filled with school supplies, please follow their shipping directions. Those types of donations will be sent to a different address with different procedures.

Please help me FLOOD the Wagner’s mailbox with these totes (can you imagine 30,000 bags in your mailbox?) BlogHer sponsors gave so much – let’s give back!!

If you are sending your bags to Operation Classroom, can you please leave a comment letting me know how many you are shipping? Also, please tell all of your friends. Let’s put these bags to use.

Blog Talk Radio: Viva la Value at BlogHer ’10

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:40:40 +0000

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited and pee my pants nervous I was to find out I had been invited to speak on Blog Talk Radio’s “Viva la Value” radio show in New York City. Seriously? Me? Cheapo McFrugalpants?

*SQUEEEEE*

Along with Sara from Saving for Someday, Kate Acieri, editor of Redplum, Hostess Lisa Reynolds, Heather from Inexpensively, Corrin from Broke as a Spoke and Elisa Camahort (not pictured), co- founder of BlogHer, I had the best time discussing money saving tips. Topics spanned everything from gifts to coupons to grocery store rituals…and as you can hear, we shared LOTS of laughs as well.

While you are browsing leisurely through the rest of my blog (which I KNOW you are doing), take a listen. You can even download the podcast here for a later time. Aside from a few “uhhs” and “ums”, I was really surprised at how the show was all pulled together. And…hearing this…assured me that my recorded voice, in fact, does NOT sound like a drag queen. *wink*

Listen to internet radio with Lisa Reynolds on Blog Talk Radio

Kroger Deals: 7/22 to 7/28

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:48:02 +0000

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?

Frugal Family Fun: Save The Date!

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:24:19 +0000

Pssstt…hey…remember all of those fabulous Feld Entertainment shows that I told you about last year? Disney on Ice, Disney Live, Ringling Bros. Circus and Monster Jam? Well…they’re baa-aackk…a whole new year of frugal family fun! Consider yourself one of the lucky ones to get a sneak peek of the Chicago shows. Grab your free hotel pen and calendar…reserve your dates now!

Disney on Ice: Princess Classics

September 8-12, 2010 – United Center, Chicago

Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show

October 29-31, 2010 – Rosemont Theatre, Chicago

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Barnum’s FUNundrum!

November 4-14, 2010 – Allstate Arena, Chicago

November 17-28, 2010 – United Center, Chicago

Disney On Ice: Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3

January 26-30, 2011 – Allstate Arena, Chicago

February 1-13, 2011 – United Center, Chicago

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam brought to you by Ford Trucks

February 11-13, 2011 – Allstate Arena, Chicago

The great thing about these shows? Always Family Friendly…and they have AWESOME promo codes, allowing you to take your family to a night of talented entertainment.

And, hey…psstt…another tidbit of info…will you be in NYC for BlogHer’10? I’ll be giving away a set of tickets for the Disney on Ice: Princess Classics show (via twitter) during the conference weekend! Be sure to follow @ItsToni so you don’t miss your chance to win.

Honest Blogger Found Here: Post written as part of my BlogHer sponsorship from Feld Entertainment. Oh…and because I believe in quality family entertainment at a great deal.

Edward Scissorhands, Will You Please Stand Up?

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Tue, 04 May 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Just Sayin’.

Muahaha-ha-HA!

Read how to get your Sunday Stack Mother Load HERE.

Dog’s Day Out

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Mon, 03 May 2010 11:52:00 +0000

“Hey Cheapo, where can you get pet food for a good price?”

I have a cat and a dog. They are both older and don’t require much as far as food goes. Dry food in a bag is the special of the day around here and they are fine with that (not that they are hurting any since they both have been referred to as “well fed.”) Generally, I walk two blocks to the local Dollar General and pick up a bag or two with whatever coupons I have available.

Every now and then ~~twice~~, I will gather a few coupons, load up the dog and drive to Pet Smart. It’s more of an “outing” for the pooch than it is a practical trip for pet food. I don’t mind as long as I’m getting a good deal.

Did you know that Pet Smart has a Pet Perks shopper’s card? Um…yeah…if you want to get ANY of the sale prices, be sure to pick one up at the register (they are free just like any other.) On top of the sales, be sure to bring your coupons. I’ve had no coupon stink eye from Pet Smart and they have accepted both Sunday Q’s and printables. On our last trip, we came home with about $60 worth of free food just by using coupons. This time? Not so free, but $.93 per item isn’t bad either! Here’s how it breaks down:

2 Boxes Milkbone Essentials: $7.98 – $3.99 BOGOF Sunday Q – $2.00 printable = $1.99 for TWO

(Cheap-o-nomics 101 Tip: See how I used a Buy one get one free coupon AND a manufacturer’s coupon together for maximum savings? Registers ring up one coupon per item. The BOGOF coupon takes the price off of the free box, leaving the original item bought. The printable takes two dollars off of that.)

2 Busy Bones: $6.00 – BOGOF Sunday Q = $3.00 for TWO
2 Party Mix Cat Treats = $2.66 – (2x) $1.00 Printables = $.66 for TWO
3 Pouches Pro Plan dog food: $2.97 – (3x) FREE Pouch Sunday Q’s = Three FREE
Pro Plan Dog Food: $10.99 – $3.00 coupon from last bag = $7.99
2 Cans Iams Dog Food: $2.50 – BOGOF P & G Sampler Mailer = $1.25 for TWO
2 Cans Iams Cat Food: $1.26 – BOGOF P& G Sampler Mailer – $.63 for TWO
8 Cans Pro Plan Dog Food: $10.00 – 3 BOGOF Sunday Q’s = $6.25 for EIGHT

(Oopss…I just realized that I screwed up here…crud. I grabbed eight cans instead of six. Even the best of us mess up every now and then. *wink)

8 Whiska’s Cat Food: $4.72 – (4x) BOGOF Sunday Q’s = $2.36 for EIGHT

Grand total: $45.51 (sale prices)
My Total: $23.50 + $3.35 tax = $26.85

Gotta treat the animals every now then…keep them happy so they don’t get on the furniture, tear up the house, puke on the floor, get in the garbage – all of those things my animals NEVER do.

Kouponin’ at Kroger

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:23:00 +0000

“Hey Cheapo! Did you REALLY take all of those coupons to Kroger today?”

Ummm…ye-ahhh…I did.

Before I even show you the pictures of what was bought, I want to break it all down for you.

Grand Total: $199.27 (Regular Price)
Sales Savings: $72.76
Coupons: $26.60
Bonus Coupon Savings: $9.75
MY TOTAL: $90.16
I bought a total of 97 items. That comes to $.93 per item. Holla!

Kroger sales run from Wednesday to Wednesday – so if there if you see anything here that you want/need – you still a few days left to get them (I believe Kroger is also called Dillon’s in other parts of the country.)

First of all, I would like to say that today was a mecca for Kroger clearance. There were items marked down EVERYWHERE! I actually had a hard time picking and choosing what I wanted. Even half gallons of milk were marked down to fifty cents! I couldn’t think fast enough on how I would use it, so I left the deal for someone else to snag. I did pick up these items though.

4 Orange Bell Peppers: $.99
2 Organic Baby Romaine Salad: $.99 each
2 Organic Broccoli & Carrots: $.99 each
Orange Cranberry Soft Cookies: $1.49
Bakery Sweet Rolls: $2.19
Big Bag Cat Litter: $1.59
Shamrock Choc. Milk Single: $.50
2 Pkgs. Ground Chuck Patties: $2.32 & $2.22
I wonder if Fridays are the normal “mecca markdown” days? I’ll have to find out.

Another special that is running this week – Buy 4 participating Post Cereals, Nature Valley Granola bars or Nut clusters (all 4/$10) – get $4.00 off instantly at the register. 2 rewards per transaction.

What a SWEET deal!

If you have the coupons available, be sure to max it out!
- 4 Nut Clusters: $10.00 – 4 $1.00 coupons (printables & Sunday) – $1.00 Cellfire Q – $4.00 reward= $1.00 for FOUR
- 1 Nut Cluster + 3 Granola Bars: $10.00 – $1.00 printable – $4.00 reward – 3 $.80 printables = $2.60 for FOUR
After all is done, you are only paying $.45 per item in this deal! If I can find enough coupons, I may send my husband back for another shop!

Some items that were on sale, no coupons.

Kroger carrots: $.99, Kroger Cheese: $1.25, Chef Boyardee: $1.00, Kroger Oatmeal: $1.25, Duncan Hines Cake Mix: $1.00, Kroger Whole Wheat English Muffins: $1.00 (these freeze well), Kroger Cottage Cheese: $1.00, Sunkist 6 pk: $1.00, Kroger Whole Wheat Bagels: $1.99, Kroger cream cheese: $1.00, Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast: $1.77 lb, Nature’s Pride Whole Grain Bread: $2.00, Hunt’s Pudding Cups: $1.00, Kroger Butter: $1.50, Qt. International Delight Creamer: $1.99, Kroger OJ: $1.25, Kroger Choc. Milk: $1.25, Kroger Milk Gal: $1.98, Qt. Half/Half: $1.99, Bananas: $.59 lb, Kroger Spaghetti: $1.05, Hunts Sauce: $1.00, Kroger Diced Tomatoes: $.65, Kroger Tomato Sauce: $.28, Honeycrisp Apple: $1.33 ($1.77 per pound, not a good deal but I WANTED one- so what?), Fresh Out of the Oven Bread: $.50

As we were rounding the Bakery section of the store, the smell of freshly baked bread (merging with a speaker announcement) overtook us. A cute little lady with a hairnet and gloves was pushing a grocery cart around the section. Inside was a wicker basket filled with freshly baked loaves of bread. She asked if we wanted the hot bread instead of the baguette I previously grabbed. Of course, I asked, “well, how much is that one?” Fifty cents, the same as the one you have…except this one is fresh. “I’ll take TWO – one to take home and one to eat while we finish shopping.” A LOT of people do that, she says. So, we ate half a loaf of bread while it was steaming hot. When I got to the register, the cashier asked me if I knew there was only a half loaf of bread in the bag. All I could say was, “We ate it.” She laughed and said that she just wanted me to be aware of it. Her story went on to tell me how one man recently brought back a half gallon of ice cream. When he got home and opened it, it was half gone! Can you believe someone carried around ice cream, ate half of it and then put it back in the freezer? EWW.

Be sure to check your stuff folks!

Here is the last group – every item matching up with a coupon.
(remember, Kroger doubles coupons up to $.50 face value – so some of my coupon totals are already doubled here)

Cesar Bistro Dog Food: $.90 – BOGOF Q = $.90 for TWO
4 Sobe Lifewaters: $4.00 – 4 $.50 printables = $2.00 for FOUR
3 Starkist Tuna Pouches: $3.00 – $3.00 printables = THREE FREE
Avocado: $1.00 – $1.00 Houseparty coupon = FREE
Wacky Mac: $1.63 – $1.00 Sunday Q = $.63
2 Dole Canned Fruit: $2.00 – 2 $1.00 printables = TWO FREE
Cascadian Farms Cereal: $2.00 – $1.00 on box coupon = $1.00
Yoplait Delights: $2.49 – $1.00 Sunday Q - $1.00 Cellfire Q = $.49
Sunchips: $3.00 – $1.00 Q = $2.00
2 Lara Bars: $2.25 – $1.60 printables = $.65 for TWO
6 Fruit Cups: $6.00 – 2 Buy3 save $1.00 printables = $4.00 for SIX
2 5 lb. Gold Medal Flour: $4.80 - 2 $1.00 printables = $2.80 for TWO
7 Yoplait Yogurts: $3.50 – $.50 cellfire on 6 – $1.00 on six printable – $.85 1 free on 6 = $1.15 for SEVEN
Progresso Broth: $2.79 - $1.00 printable – $.50 Cellfire Q = $1.29
2 Cambell’s cooking soups: $1.50 – $1.00 on 2 Sunday Q = $.50 for TWO
4 Carnation Evap. Milk: $4.00 – 2 Save $1.00 on 2 Q’s = $2.00 for FOUR
2 Nestle Choc. Chips: $4.98 – 2 $1.00 printables = $2.98 for TWO
Pork Tenderloin: $1.39 lb. – $5.23 – $1.00 store coupon = $4.23

The tenderloin was a real score. I picked it up because when else are you ever going to find a loin for a buck thirty nine a pound?

Also, as I was walking around the meat section, I noticed a man talking with the butcher. He was of oriental decent which is why his accent caught my attention. Something was going on where there was a misprint somewhere and the butcher was trying to reconsile the situation. It was all fine and dandy until I heard the butcher say, “For your trouble, here is a $1.00 coupon off of any fresh pork product.” Huh? What? How do I get that? I later heard the customer ask, “Is this no for beef?” Nope, just pork sir. So, I start casually nosing around for this special coupon; gently sifting through the clearanced meat. The man comes over to me and hands me the coupon. He says, “S’cuse me – I think can you use this?” Here I stand with a fist FULL of coupons. I wonder what tipped him off? I graciously thanked him…and did a little secret fist pump in my head.

Hey, it’s the little things.

How did you do this week? Any super saver shopping going on in your world?

Swagbucks Code Alert!

Cheapo McFrugalpants — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:56:00 +0000

The Swagbucks tool bar just gave me a code! Did you get it?

It’s:

MSGinAbottleI1cpU5

Go to the Swagbucks homepage and enter it now! It’s worth one Swagbuck. Submit the code before 7:30PM PDT.

New to the whole thing? Sign up here!

I’m rather new as well – though I HAVE racked up 12 Swagbucks in three days. It’s fun.