Saving Money Can Be Good For Your Wallet...and Your Waistline!

That's right, I succeeded at saving my usual goal of 50% while stocking up on a ton of healthy foods!  It helped that we have these Web Exclusive Savings coupons for the major store brands at Shaw's.   The flexible options for using these coupons definitely made this healthy trip much easier!

In order to use the Web Exclusive Coupons I did have to purchase five of the Gotta Love Great Deals (GLGD) items:

4 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
Regularly $2.99
Sale Price $1.67
Used 2 $.60/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Coupons, doubled
Final Price $4.28 for all four, only $1.07 each!

5 Pound Bag of Russet Potatoes
Regularly $3.29
Sale Price $2.50
No coupons, just chose this as a healthy option for my fifth GLGD item!

Now for the Web Exclusive Savings Items:

Essential Everyday Light Mayonnaise 
Priced at $3.49
Used $1.50/1 EE Product Coupon
Final Price $1.99

Wild Harvest Tortilla Chips
Priced at $1.99
Used $2.00/1 WH Product Coupon
Final Price FREE!!!

Culinary Circle Reduced Fat Feta Cheese
Priced at $2.99
Used $2.50/1 CC Product Coupon
Final Price $.49

Equaline Shampoo
Priced at $2.99
Used $2.50/1 Equaline Product Coupon
Final Price $.49

Essential Everyday Butter $2.49 
This would be another great option to use the $1.50 EE coupon on.  I know it's not a "healthy" item, but it's a household staple, which are usually so hard to get great deals on!

7 Yoplait Simplait Yogurts
Regularly $1.00
Sale Price $.60
I had 3 $.30/1 Coupons and 4 $.40/1 Coupons, all of which doubled
The $.30 coupons made four of them free, and I earned $.20 of overage from each of the $.40 coupons, making all of them FREE plus $.80 overage!!!

2 1-Pound Earthbound Farms Organic Carrots
Priced at $1.19 each
Used 2 $.75/1 EB Farms Organic Product Coupons, doubled*
Final Price FREE!!!!

3.33 Pounds of Bananas
Regularly $.57/lb or $1.90
Sale Price $.49/lb or $1.63
I ALWAYS buy bananas, but it's so great to see them on sale!

Bakery Italian Bread
Priced at $1.99
My mother got a Catalina for a free loaf of Italian or French bread with a $10 purchase, so of course she gave it to me.  
Final Price FREE!!!

Shopper's Value Pretzels $1.89

Bunch Romaine Lettuce $1.79

Cucumber $.79
1.77 Pounds of Braeburn Apples @ $1.79/lb, $3.17

Gallon of Whole Milk $3.92

Half Gallon of Skim Milk $2.59

Total Retail Value $56.62

After sales and coupons $27.22

I used a $4 off $25 Email Savings Program Coupon bringing my total down to $23.22.  That's a savings of $33.40 or 59%!!!  That's pretty amazing considering $16.64 worth of these items weren't on sale or purchased using coupons!!!  My coupon items were such amazing deals including some overage, plus I used a money off your total purchase coupon to maximize the savings on non-coupon items!

*Disclaimer: This coupon says "May Not Be Doubled" so the store has every right to reverse it.  Also, different Shaw's locations have different computer software which may or may not limit the doubling to the sale price.

Day Two of This Week's Deals, and Trip Two for Me!

It's official...my couponing is back in full swing!  Things slowed down for a bit there, but you know I'm back when I make trips two days in a row to Shaw's!  I have learned a lot through last week's trip as well as last night's when it comes to the Gotta Love Great Deals (GLGD), Bonus Web Exclusive Savings and Limited Time Offers.  Today, I had a unique need for my shopping, a party!  I made stuffed bread for a family party so I needed cheese and a few deli meats.  These are NOT items a couponer likes to buy, but the coupon gods were with me!  Check out the details!!!

Limited Time Offer, Special K Cereal
Regularly $3.99
LTO Price $1.88
Used  $.70/1 Special K Coupon, doubled
Final Price only $.48!!!

GLGD Items, I got five so I could use the Bonus Web Exclusive Savings Coupon

Pepsi 2-Liter
Regularly $1.79
Sale Price $1.25

2 Fiber One Chewy Bars
Regularly $3.79
Sale Price $2.50
Used 2 $.60/1 Fiber One Chewy Bars Coupons, doubled
Final Price $1.30 each, only $2.60 for both!

2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
Regularly $2.99
Sale Price $1.67
Used $.85/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Coupon, doubled
Final Price $1.64 for both, only $.82 each!

Bonus Web Exclusive Items

Essential Everyday Shredded Cheese, 16 oz
Regularly $5.49
Sale Price $4.99
Used $1.50/1 EE Product Coupon
Final Price $3.49

Wild Harvest Organic Animal Crackers
Priced at $2.19
Used $2.00/1 WH Product Coupon
Final Price $.19

Culinary Circle Pizza
Regularly $5.49
Sale Price $4.99
Used $2.50/1 CC Product Coupon
Final Price $2.49 
I usually like to use these coupons to pick up free or almost free products, but this one was for my husband :-)

Equaline Shampoo
Priced at $2.99
Used $2.50/1 Equaline Product Coupon
Final Price $.49

In order to get the Limited Time Deal, I did need to make sure my total was at least $10 after all other promotions and coupons.  This wasn't hard to do considering the deli items I needed.  I'm also trying to take advantage of the BOGO sale on Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers this week in the most efficient way possible.  Rather than buying 12 at once like I usually do, I'm planning several small trips, all of which will include a $4/$25 Email Savings Coupon.  I LOVE coupons for a dollar amount off your total purchase; they make me feel like I'm using a coupon on something I would otherwise never get one for, like Goldfish Crackers!  This is also great when getting produce, meat or dairy products.

Margherita Deli Meats (Pepperoni, Salami and Prosciutto)
They came to $3.50, $3.77 and $4.50 for a total of $11.77
Now, I didn't choose this brand, it's just what they had for what I needed
I was in luck though, because there were coupons on the counter for $1 off any Margherita deli item!  This brought my deli total down to only $8.77

4 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers
Priced at $2.39 each
On Sale Buy One Get One Free
Final Price $4.78 for all four, only $1.19 each!

Total Retail Value $56.83
Total after sales and coupons $26.18
I used my $4/$25 Email Savings Coupon, bringing my total down to $22.18
That's a savings of $30.65 or 54%.  While it's not that impressive percentage wise, I was able to get some unexpected savings on the deli items I needed.  I still met my standing goal of at least 50% savings, despite these less than couponer-friendly items!

Little of This, Little of That...Sorry, That's The Best I Got!

I think this is the first time I've posted a shopping trip and was at a total loss for a title!  Oh well, all you really care about is the deals anyway :-)

Before you try to tackle this week's deals, make sure you're armed with the information you need on the Gotta Love Great Deals, Limited Time Offers and Bonus Web Savings.  I addressed these last week, and Deals by Darlene also has a great rundown for you.  

Now for the deals!

Limited Time Offer: 2 Special K Cereals
Regularly $3.99
LTO Price $1.88
Used 2 $.70/1 Special K Coupons, doubled
Final Price $.48 each, only $.96 for both!!!

Gotta Love Great Deals Items (GLGD)

Nature Valley Granola Bars
Regularly $3.49
Sale Price $2.50
Used $1.50/1 Granola Bar Purchase Catalina from last week's GLGD purchases
Final Price $1.00

2 Chex Mix
Regularly $2.99 
Sale Price $1.50
Used 2 $.50/1 Chex Mix Coupons, doubled
Final Price $.50 each or $1.00 for both

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
Regularly $2.99
Sale Price $1.67
Used $1/1 GLGD Item Catalina from last weeks GLGD purchases
Final Price $.67

2-Liter Pepsi (this was a back-up plan, they were all out of the 24 packs of bottled water)
Regularly $1.79
Sale Price $1.25

By purchasing 5 GLGD items, I was able to use the Bonus Web Exclusive Savings coupons on these items:

Essential Everyday Pasta Sauce
Priced at $1.65
Used $1.50 EE Coupon
Final Price $.15

Culinary Circle Entertaining Crackers
Priced at $2.19
Used $2.50 CC Coupon
Final Price FREE!!!

Wild Harvest Organic Animal Crackers
Priced at $2.19
Used $2.00 WH Coupon
Final Price $.19

Equaline Contact Lens Solution
Priced at $2.99
Used $2.50 Equaline Coupon
Final Price $.49

4 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers
Priced at $2.39 each
On Sale Buy One Get One Free
Final Price $4.78 for all four, only $1.19 each!

Bananas $.89

Gallon of Milk (Not in picture) $3.92

Celery Hearts $1.99
Used $1.00 off Produce Catalina from last week's GLGD purchases
Final Price $.99

4 Perdue Refrigerated All Natural Whole Grain Chicken Products
Regularly $5.29 
Sale Price $3.33
Used 4 $.75/1 Perdue Refrigerated Product Coupons, doubled
Final Price $1.83 each, only $7.32 for all four

2 Poland Spring Aqua Pod 8-Packs
Priced at $3.19 each
On Sale Buy One Get One Free
Used $1.50 off any bottled water purchase Catalina from last week's GLGD purchases
Final Price $1.69 for both, only $.10 per bottle!!!

Total Retail Value $75.15
Total after sales and coupons $25.30
I also used a $4 off $25 Email Savings Program Coupon
Bringing my total down to $20.30, a savings of $54.85, that's 73%!!!!!!

Money Saving Marathon!

After a great deal of planning, educating and calculating, I headed out WITH the family tonight for some great deals!  This week's Shaw's sales are a bit complicated, and there are many deals which require that you purchase certain other items or have a certain total outside the deals.  Confusing, right?  Well, hopefully seeing it in action will be the best way to understand!

Tonight's excursion involved three stores; Shaw's, CVS and Hannaford.  Let's start with the smaller trips!

CVS

2 CVS Brand Diapers
Regularly $9.29 each
On Sale Buy One Get One 50% off
I also had a coupon from the Magic Coupon Machine from a couple of weeks ago
This brought my total to $12.94
I had $13.00 in ECB, $10 from my last diaper deal and $3 from my fall spending quarterly ECB's.  I paid only the remaining tax of $.48!!!
I usually like to keep my ECB's "rolling", meaning if I use them, I like to get just as many back.  I did use all of them on this trip, but I just redeemed my Swagbucks points for a $10 CVS gift card so I'm not that upset.  Plus, I basically got free diapers, who would ever be upset about that?!?!?!?!

Hannaford

Gallon of Whole Milk $3.92
I had a $3.00 Catalina from the DiGiorno deal last week
Final Price only $.92!!!

Now, you can see from these two trips it pays to earn rewards.  One of my coupon philosophies is that I don't credit myself with any of my on-your-next-order (OYNO) earnings until I USE them.  The diapers for example, I purchased $30 worth of Huggies and Pampers products a couple of weeks ago.  After coupons and ECB's my OOP (out of pocket) was $10 and I earned another $10.  Now, some couponers will say the diapers were "FREE" because I left with just as much as I spent.  They were not free, because I paid $10 for them.  I am now getting free diapers because I'm using my OYNO savings!

Now, for the big one!!!

Shaw's

Limited Time Offers (LTO) (Friday - Monday) and you must have a total after all other sales and coupons of at least $10 to get these great prices!

5 lb Box of Clementines (Limit 2)
Regularly $6.99
LTO Price $3.99
I used a $1/1 Store Coupon from this week's Email Only Coupons
Final Price $2.99

2 Pepsi 2-Liters (Limit 2)
Regularly $1.79
LTO Price $.88
Final Price $1.76 for both

4 Whole Grain Cheerios (Limit 4)
Regularly $4.99
LTO Price $1.88
I used 4 $.85/1 Whole Grain Cheerios Coupons, doubled
Final Price only $.18 each, just $.72 for ALL FOUR!!!
As if that wasn't a good enough deal, I will get a $.75 credit in my SavingStar account making this a $.03 MONEY MAKER!!!!!!  I know what you're thinking, I just gave you a whole lecture about not counting your money saving chickens before they hatch.  SavingStar is different, because they actually give you back money after the fact.  Once I get to a total of $5.00 in my account, they deposit it into my checking account, so this really is savings in my pocket, not rewards to be used the next time I shop!

2 Scott Paper Towels (Limit 2)
Regularly $9.99
LTO Price $5.88
I used 2 $.75/1 Scott Paper Towels Coupons, doubled*
Final Price $8.76 for both!

Now for some more great deals...

4 Chex Mix
Regularly $2.69
Sale Price $1.50
Used 4 $.60/1 Chex Mix Coupons, doubled
Final Price $.30 each, only $1.20 for all four
Plus I will get a refund of $.50 from SavingStar bringing my final OOP to only $.70!

Fresh Express Salad
Regularly $2.49 
Sale Price 50% off, or $1.24
I used the $1/1 Fresh Express Coupon from this week's Email Only Coupons
Final Price $.24!

2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
Regularly $2.99 each
Sale Price $1.67 each
Used 1 $.85/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Coupon, doubled
Final Price $1.64
Plus, I will get a refund of $.50 from SavingStar brining my final OOP to only $1.14!

Barber Foods Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Regularly $5.49 each
On Sale Buy One Get One Free
I used 2 $1/1 Barber Foods Product Coupons
Final Price $8.98, only $2.24 per box!  Between these and the lettuce, this is the cheapest healthy dinner ever!

Diamond Crystal Salt Sense (Lower Sodium Salt)
Priced at $1.15
I used a $.35/1 Salt Sense Coupon, doubled
Final Price $.45
Plus, I will get a refund of $.35 from SavingStar bringing my final OOP to only $.10!

2 Pantene Hair Gels
Regularly $4.23 each
Reduced to Clear by 50% to $2.11
I used the $3/2 Pantene Products from this month's P&G Insert
Final Price $1.22 for both, only $.61 each

Aussie Curl Sprunch Hairspray
Regularly $3.39
Reduced to Clear by 50% to $1.69
I used the $1/1 Aussie Product coupon from this month's P&G Insert
Final Price $.69

2 Yoplait Lactose Free Yogurts
Regularly $.99 each
Sale Price $.50
I used 2 $.30/1 Yoplait Lactose Free Coupons, doubled
Final Price FREE plus $.20 OVERAGE!!!

The other confusing part of this week's promotions are the Web Exclusive Savings on their four major store brands.   There are four high-value coupons on their website, each of which require that you purchase five of the "Gotta Love Great Deals" items.  The full selection of items included are on page three of the circular.  The most confusing part is whether or not you need to buy five items for each of the four coupons, for a total of 20.  That is NOT the case, which Dan confirmed on their Facebook page.  You need to buy five participating items in order to use all four of the coupons!!!  Here's what I got!

Wild Harvest Tortilla Chips $1.99
I used the $2.00 off any Wild Harvest Product Coupon
Final Price FREE!!!

Essential Everyday Chocolate Syrup $1.89
I used the $1.50 off any Essential Everyday Product Coupon
Final Price $.39 

Culinary Circle BBQ Chicken Pizza for One $2.69
I used the $2.50 off any Culinary Circle Product Coupon
Final Price $.19

Equaline Lotion $2.49
I used the $2.50 off any Equaline Product Coupon
Final Price FREE!!!

Drumroll Please..........

Total Retail Value $138.24
I also used a $4 off $25 Shaw's Email Savings Club Coupon
This brought my total OOP for the night down to $24.33
That's a savings of $113.91...82%!!!!!!!!

*Disclaimer: This coupon says "May Not Be Doubled" so the store has every right to reverse it.  Also, different Shaw's locations have different computer software which may or may not limit the doubling to the sale price.

Freebie Frenzy!!!

Tonight's Shaw's trip was full of freebies and overage...I love it!!!  I also love the little cutie in this picture.  This is Lucas, my four and a half year old son.  He is almost alway with me on my shopping trips, and love to help mommy take the picture of our food to show everyone.  He is the joy of my life, and at a time like this, I just had to show you one of the little guys who are the reason why I work so hard to save money on groceries.  

Before we get into the deals I did get, I have to say I am so bummed we didn't get the WOW deals...again!  I had big plans for cheap Oreos and pasta sauce plus a free pie, but not so much here in Maine!  With that said, I did still get some great deals!

6 Pepsi X 2-Liter Bottles
Regularly $1.79
On sale for $1.00
There were coupons for $.75/1 hanging from the bottles and a sign saying "free with coupon, no limit" so they were even allowing more than the usual limit of four coupons to double.  Why???  They expire in two weeks, but hubby doesn't care, so neither do I!
Four of the coupons doubled to a full $1.50, so I got six for free plus $2.00 overage!

4 Diet Pepsi 2-Liter Bottles
Regularly $1.79
On Sale for $1.00...no coupons, just my addiction!

8 Assorted 2-Liter Bottles of Soda
4 A&W Root Beer, Regularly $1.69, Sale Price $1.25
2 Orange Crush, Regularly $1.79, Sale Price $1.00
2 Sun Drop, Regularly $1.49, Sale Price $1.25
I had 4 hang-tag coupons I found a couple of months ago for $1 off two
Final Price $5.50

4 Freschetta Pizzas
Regularly $6.95
Sale Price $4.99
Used 4 $.75/1 Printable Coupons (NLA), doubled
Final Price $3.49 each, $13.96 for all four

Frito Lay Chips
Regularly $4.29 for the Lay's and $3.99 for the Tostito's
On Sale BOGO
Final Price $8.28 for all four, average of only $2.07 each...a luxury in our house!

4 Frosted Mini Wheats Cereals
Regularly $4.29 each (crazy!!!)
Sale Price $2.50 each
Used 4 $.70/1 Mini Wheats Coupons, doubled
Final Price $1.10 each, only $4.40 for all four boxes, basically the regular price for one!

4 Mueller's Pastas
Regularly $1.29
Sale Price $.88
Used 4 $.55/1 Mueller's Pasta Coupons, doubled* to the full $1.10
Final Price FREE plus $.88 OVERAGE!!!!!!! 

4 Back to Nature Mac 'n Cheese
Regularly $2.49
Sale Price $1.50
Used 4 $.75/1 BTN Dinner Coupons, doubled (use zip code 75024)
Final Price FREE!!!!!!

2 Wheat Thins BIG Crackers
Regularly $3.29
Sale Price $1.99
Used 2 $1/1 BIG Wheat Thins Coupons (Facebook)
Final Price $1.98, only $.99 each!

3 Nabisco Crackers 
Triscuits Regularly $3.29
Ritz Regularly $3.29
Cheese Nips Regularly $2.19
Sale Price $1.99
Used B2G1 Coupon (NLA)
Final Price $3.98 for all three, only $1.33 each!!!

4 Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8oz Blocks
Priced at $2.99 each
On Sale Buy One Get One Free
Plus $1.00 Instant savings WYB 4
Final Price $4.98 for all four, only $1.24 each!

2 Smart Balance Butter Blends for Cooking
Regularly $2.79 each
Sale Price 2/$4
Used BOGO for any Smart Balance Product (I printed this about six months ago and missed out on a BOGO stack opportunity due to lack of stock.  I'm glad I held on to it!)
Final Price $2 for both!

Essential Everyday Dressing $2.19 and Ketchup $1.49
Used $1 off $3 of EE Products coupon (from recent insert, expired today)
Final Price $2.68

2 Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chips
Regularly $3.19
Sale Price $2.00
Used $.50/2 Nestle Toll House Baking Chips Coupon, doubled
Final Price $3.00 for both

2 Earthbound Organic Carrots
Priced at $1.19 each
Used 2 $.55/1 Earthbound Farm Organic Product Coupons, doubled* to the item price
Final Price FREE!!!!!!

2 Fiber One Breads
Priced at $4.29 each
On Sale Buy One Get One Free
Used 2 $.55/1 Fiber One Bread Coupons, doubled
Final Price $2.09 for both!

Full Retail Value $161.47
After Sales and Coupons, my total was $53.97
I used a $4 off $25 or more coupon from the Shaw's Email Savings Program
Final Cost $49.97, that's a savings of $111.50 or 69%!!!!  

*Disclaimer: This coupon says "May Not Be Doubled" so the store has every right to reverse it.  Also, different Shaw's locations have different computer software which may or may not limit the doubling to the sale price. 

Say Cheeeeeeese!!!

The deals are starting to get better at Shaw's, and that means I can't help myself but share with you all.  I know I haven't been good about doing this lately, which makes me sad :-( so here we go!

First of all, make sure you join the Shaw's Email Savings Club for $4 off a purchase of $25 or more.  This is especially handy to have this week as there are several items which require a $25 minimum purchase for the best deal.  You will see that I have a couple of these, so I will list both the standard sale price and the additional reduction with a qualifying total purchase.

2 Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, Regularly $3.19, Sale Price $1.99 or $1.77 w/ $25 
Used 2 $1/1 Ocean Spray Coupons
Final Price $1.76 for both, $.88 each

Maxwell House Coffee, Regularly $11.49, Sale Price $7.49 or $5.99 w/ $25
Use $1/1 Maxwell House Coffee Coupon
Final Price $4.99

Mrs. Smith's Frozen Pie, Regularly $5.99, Sale Price $2.50 or $1.99 w/ $25
Used $1/1 Mrs. Smith's Frozen Dessert Coupon
Final Price $.99!!!!!!

2 Morton Sea Salt, Regularly $2.39, Sale Price $1.79
Used 2 $.75/1 Morton Salt Coupons, doubled
Final Price $.58, only $.29 each!!!

2 All Laundry Detergents, Regularly $5.99, Sale Price $3.99
Used 2 $1/1 All Laundry Detergent Coupons
Final Price $5.98, only $2.99 each

2 Tribe Hummus, Regularly $2.99, Sale Price $1.99
Used 2 $1/1 Tribe Hummus Coupons (Facebook)
AND both had $1 Manager's Special Coupons on them
So...they were FREE plus $.02 overage!!!!!!

Muir Glenn Tomato Paste, $1.19
Used 2 $.50/1 and 2 $.60/1 Muir Glenn Product Coupons, doubled
Final Price $.36, only $.09 each!

4 Cabot Cream Cheeses, Regularly $2.39, Sale Price $2.00
Used 4 $1/1 Cabot Product Coupons (sign up for their eNewsletter)
Final Price $4.00, only $1.00 each

6 Cabot Cheeses, Regularly $3.49, Sale Price $2.00 
Used 6 $1/1 Cabot Product Coupons
Final Price $6.00, only $1 each for CHEESE!!!!!!!!
Plus, I have a $1.50 back on three coupon loaded to my SavingStar account!!!

Full Retail Value $75.88
I also used a $4 off $25 Email Savings Club Coupon
Total after coupons and SavingStar cash back $19.14
That's a savings of 75%!!!!!