February month in review

Major announcement!!!
Based on my spending so far, I am lowering my total yearly budget to $1600! Just by chance, my February "it's really like" is only $0.56 off of January's total. I guess I am a pretty consistent spender! I still left a little wiggle room; $1600 should be plenty.

Year to date:
Total spent: $320.93
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Pending rebates: $52.62
Rebates received: $47.00
"So it's really like": $218.58 spent

February only:
Total spent: $97.23 oop
Spent off Acme GC: $23.27
Pending rebates: $10.99
"So it's really like": $109.51

Deal of the month: General Mills CAT at Acme. I got tons of Betty Crocker goodies and was able to get cheap soymilk and kitty litter along the way.

Things I stockpiled a lot of: Betty Crocker stuff, frozen veggies, soda, ground turkey, cereal, razors, Celestial Seasonings tea

Deal that got away: the end of overage at Superfresh :(

Wish I'd gotten more of: too bad I didn't have enough coupons to roll the Pathmark General Mills CAT more than once

Kmart Super Doubles

5 Hormel Compleats, $2.00 each, used 5 $1 MQ doubled = FREE
Gillette body wash, $2.49, used $2 MQ doubled = $0.49
$0.17 tax
Total: $0.66

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $320.93
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Pending rebates: $52.62
Rebates received: $47.00
"So it's really like": $218.58 spent

Superfresh, CVS, lunches out

Superfresh triples transaction 1:
10 Green Giant boxed veggies, $0.90 each WYB 10, used 5 $0.50/2 MQ tripled = $1.50
4 Green Giant Steamers, $1.66/$1.67 each, used 4 $0.50 MQ tripled = $0.67
Dole frozen fruit, $3.99, used $0.75 MQ tripled = $1.74
Carolina white rice, $1.49, used $0.50 MQ tripled = FREE
2 Carolina saffron rice, $0.99 each, used $0.75/2 MQ tripled = FREE
Store brand butter = $1.48 (accidentally left out of picture)
0.98 lb asparagus at $1.49/lb = $1.46
Zone Perfect bar, $0.99, used $0.55 MQ tripled = FREE
Total = $6.35

Superfresh transactions 2 and 3:
7 Green Giant Steamers, $1.66/$1.67 each, used 7 $0.50 MQ tripled = $1.17

CVS, Ryan's card:
CVS brand Drano = $4.59
CVS brand trash bags = $4.59
CVS brand sparkling water = $0.99
Used $10 ECB
Total: $0.18 oop

CVS, my card:
3 Diet Coke/Sprite, $4.99 each = $14.97
Fusion Gamer razor, $7.99, used $4 MQ = $3.99
6 Hour Energy shots =$4.99
2 CVS brand travel size cotton rounds = $1.98
CVS brand antacids, $1.99, used free item coupon = FREE
Used $5/30 CVS email Q, $20.98 ECB
Total: $1.94 oop
Earned $4 ECB for Fusion, $4.99 for 6 Hour Energy

I am mad that I didn't earn any ECBs for the monthly Diet Coke deal. Others have reported that other diet sodas made by the Coke company (i.e. Sprite Zero) work toward the deal. Between the $14.97 I spent today and $7 I spent the other week I should definitely have broken the $20 mark. Also weird is that there's no running total on my reciept for what I've earned toward the amount needed. Sigh.

Also a bummer is that no ECBs printed for the cotton rounds. A few people have reported not getting theirs, but others were getting some. This means I'm down to $10.98 in ECB on my card :( That's why I had Ryan buy the Drano and trash bags we needed.

Each of us went out to lunch this week, Ryan because he had to go out with co-workers, and me because I was meeting a friend in downtown Philly.
Ryan pizza: $7.50
My salad, tax, tip: $14.00

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $320.27
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Pending rebates: $52.62
Rebates received: $47.00
"So it's really like": $217.92 spent

Acme

I had $25 in rebate checks arrive today: $10 for the Bud Family Fiesta and $15 for the Bud Bowl Deli/Pizza. Bud has been very good to me lately!

I also went to Acme today before the sales cycle changes:
4 Diet Sunkist, $1.00 each, used 2 $1/2 peelie MQ = $2.00
5 Shady Brook Farms ground turkey, $1.99 each = $9.95
4 Mentos gum, $1.00 each, used $0.55 MQ that doubled to $1.40 = -$0.40 overage!
$0.41 tax
Total: $11.96 off GC

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $289.13
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Pending rebates: $52.62
Rebates received: $47.00
"So it's really like": $187.78 spent

Acme, Pathmark

We were getting low on meat so I cashed out some CATs.

Acme:
4 20 oz. packages Shady Brook Farms ground turkey, $1.99 each = $7.96
2 2L Sunkist, $1.00 each, used $1/2 peelie MQ = $1.00
Acme syrup = $1.99
4 Mentos gum on clearance for $0.79, used 4 $0.55 MQ doubled up to price of gum = FREE
Plus $0.30 tax
Used $10 GM CAT
Total: $1.25 off GC

Woohoo! I had been hoping to get overage on the gum and didn't, but oh well. I thought that the turkey was $1.99/lb, which is a good sale price, but it's actually $1.99 for 1.25 lb, which is actually $1.59/lb! I may go back for more even without CATs to use up.


Pathmark:
4.06 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts at $1.98/lb = $8.04
2.42 lb bananas at $0.69/lb = $1.67
Used $8 GM CAT, got $0.02 bag credit
Total: $1.69

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $289.13
Remaining on Acme GC: $13.69
Pending rebates: $77.62
Rebates received: $22.00
"So it's really like": $175.82 spent

Some rebate checks arrived...

In yesterday's mail I got a $5 check for Bud Bowl Snacks rebate and a $10 check for the Bud Bowl C-Store Party rebate.

I am changing my "yearly totals" slightly. There will be a new category for value of rebates received. That way my total spent actually reflects my oop. I am adding $7 to both my total spent and rebates received for my January Rite Aid SCR.


Yearly totals:
Total spent: $287.44
Remaining on Acme GC: $14.94
Pending rebates: $77.62
Rebates received: $22.00
"So it's really like": $172.88 spent

Kmart Super Doubles

Vaseline Intensive Care hand cream, $2.99, used $1.50 MQ doubled = FREE
Olay Mousse facial cleanser, $3.29, used $2 MQ doubled = FREE
Hormel Compleats, $2.00, used $1 MQ doubled = FREE
2 Schick Quattro disposable razors, $5 each, used 2 $2 MQ doubled = $2.00
Plus $0.67 tax = $2.67

I will be going back for more Compleats, lotion, and maybe mousse. The razors, lotion, and mousse I will sell for $2 or $3 each at the flea market (after keeping one of each for myself).

Goodlife Recipe cat food was $4.99 and Healthful Life was $5.49, so even though I had $2 coupons for both, I passed. It seems like Kmart has had super doubles once per month, and my coupons are good until April. So I'm holding out hope that the cat food will be on sale during potential doubles in March. If it's still not on sale then, I'll buy it at $0.99 and $1.49 a bag before my coupons expire.

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $280.44
Remaining on Acme GC: $14.94
Pending rebates: $92.62
"So it's really like": $172.88 spent

Walgreens

Sigh. The cashier goofed and I didn't notice it until I got home. Instead of ringing up packages of two hair ties, she rang up two ThermaCare wraps. I don't have the motivation to go back out to dispute it, but I still turned a profit.

Garnier shampoo, $3.99, used $1 MQ = $2.99
"2" ThermaCare wraps, $2.49 each = $4.98
"1" Goody hair ties on clearance = $0.75
Revlon Creme Lip Gloss = $9.99, used $2 MQ = $7.99
Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer, $9.99, used $1 MQ = $8.99
Used $6 RR from Gillette Fusion Gamer
$1.73 tax
Total = $21.43 off GC
Will earn $29.10 in rebates: $3.99 for shampoo, $2.49 for one ThermaCare, and $9.99 for each Revlon item, plus 10% bonus.


Yearly totals:
Total spent: $277.77
Remaining on Acme GC: $14.94
Pending rebates: $92.62
"So it's really like": $170.21 spent

Superfresh triples

Sigh. Superfresh "fixed" their computers so that there's no more overage. So both transactions here were higher than planned because we got extra stuff to use our overage on. I was also bummed that my store doesn't carry Muir Glen tomatoes anymore.

First transaction:
3 Celestial Seasonings teas, $1.67/$1.66 each, used 3 $0.55 MQ tripled = $0.07
Celestial Seasonings tea, $3.49 (d'oh, this variety wasn't on sale but I thought it wasn't), used $0.55 MQ tripled = $1.84
4 Mentos gum, $1.65 each, used 4 $0.55 MQ tripled = FREE
2 Diet Sunkist, $1.34 each, used $1/2 MQ = $1.68
3 Ortega chili seasoning, $0.79 each, used 2 $0.75/2 MQ tripled = FREE
Ortega taco seasoning, $1.29, see MQ above = FREE
Healthy Ones lunchmeat, $1.67, used $0.75 MQ tripled = FREE
Reynolds baking cups, $1.49, used $0.25 MQ tripled = $0.74
Total: $4.13

Transaction #2:
3 Celestial Seasonings teas, $1.67/$1.66 each, used 3 $0.55 MQ tripled = $0.07
4 Mentos gum, $1.65 each, used 4 $0.55 MQ tripled = FREE
3 Ortega chili seasoning, $0.79 each, used 2 $0.75/2 MQ tripled = FREE
Ortega taco seasoning, $1.29, see MQ above = FREE
4 Healthy Ones lunchmeat, $1.67, used 4 $0.75 MQ tripled = FREE
Cottonelle trial size wipes, $0.89, used $0.50 MQ tripled = FREE
Chex Mix, $1.25, used $0.50 MQ tripled = FREE
3 Kotex Lightdays, $1.49 each, used 3 $0.75 MQ tripled = FREE
French's honey mustard, $1.69, used $0.75 MQ tripled = FREE
Turkey Hill ice cream, $1.98, used $1 MQ = $0.98
2 Store brand lemon juice, $1.79 each = $3.58
$0.42 tax
Total: $5.50

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $277.77
Remaining on Acme GC: $14.94
Pending rebates: $92.62
"So it's really like": $170.21 spent

Great week coming up!

Kmart super doubles is back! Some areas are getting triples up to $0.75 and then doubles up to $2, while some areas are getting no multiplication at all. I'm happy with the $2 doubling- more cheap Goodlife Recipe cat food. And we do actually need it; we're going through about 2 bags per week.

Superfresh is also doing triples Friday-Monday! Woot! Don't get discouraged if you check your online ad and don't see it: it's on the overwrap (page 11 of my online ad). I haven't poured through the whole ad yet, but I know I can always get free Muir Glen tomatoes and Lightdays liners.

Acme roll #3, Target

Acme:
4 Betty Crocker frosting, $1.79, used 4 $0.50 MQ doubled = $3.16
4 Betty Crocker cookie mix, $1.67/1.66, used 4 $0.40 MQ doubled = $3.47
Pillsbury Grands, $1.25, used $0.25 MQ doubled = $0.75
Warm Delights, $1.67, used $0.50 MQ doubled = $0.67
20 lb Arm & Hammer kitty litter, $4.99
Used $10 CAT
Total: $3.39 off GC
Earned another $10 CAT


Target, not pictured:
Yesterday's News kitty litter, $6.59
I thought there was a Try Me Free rebate for this, but I guess it had already expired :( I'm not making a special trip just to return it, though.

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $268.14
Remaining on Acme GC: $14.94
Pending rebates: $92.62
"So it's really like": $160.58 spent

Acme CAT Roll #2, CVS

Acme:

2 Betty Crocker cake mix = $2.68
4 Betty Crocker cookie mix, $1.66/1.67 each, used 4 $0.40 MQ doubled = $3.44
4 Warm Delights, $1.67/$1.66 each, used 4 $0.50 MQ doubled = $2.64
Tuna Helper = $1.00
2L Acme brand ginger ale = $0.69
$0.05 tax
Used $10 CAT
Total: $0.55 off GC
Earned yet another $10 CAT


CVS (Ryan's card):
2 Gillette shampoo, $4.99 each, used 2 $2 MQ = $5.98
Gillette Fusion Gamer razor, $7.99, used $4 MQ = $3.99
CVS brand pretzels = $0.79
Clearance Sweethearts = $0.49
Colgate Total, $2.99, used $1 MQ = $1.99
6 Hour Energy shots = $4.99
$0.24 Tax
Used $17.99 ECB
Total: $0.48 cash
Earned $17.98 ECB (6 shampoo, 4.99 energy shot, 4 razor, 2.99 toothpaste)


CVS (my card):
2 12 pack Diet Coke = $7 (working toward monthly deal)
2 Stayfree pads, $3.99 each, used B1G1 MQ = $3.99
Colgate Total, $2.99, used $1 MQ = $1.99
Travel size CVS cotton rounds, $0.99 each = $1.98
CVS brand aspirin = $1.99
Quart milk = $1.29
MQ covered all tax
Used $5/30 CVS email Q, $19 ECB
Total: $0.22 cash
Earned $18.98 ECB (6 shampoo, 4 Stayfree, 2 cotton rounds, 1.99 aspirin, 2.99 toothpaste)

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $261.55
Remaining on Acme GC: $18.33
Pending rebates: $92.62
"So it's really like": $150.60 spent

Acme CAT Roll #1

I couldn't resist going out just to roll my Acme CAT:


2 Wild Harvest soy milk, $1.67 each, used 2 $1 IP = $1.34
Betty Crocker cake mix = $1.34
4 Betty Crocker frosting, $1.79 each, used 4 $0.50 MQ = $3.16
4 Warm Delights, $1.67/$1.66 each, used 2 $0.50 MQ doubled to $1, 2 $0.55 IP doubled to $1.10 = $2.47
1 Betty Crocker cookie mix, $1.67, used $0.50 IP doubled to $1 = $0.67
Fresca, $1.00
Used $10 CAT that I earned this morning
Plus $0.07 tax
= $0.05 oop!
Earned another $10 CAT

Woohoo, soy milk for free! It's what I use on my cereal every morning, but runs expensive. Unless you're a savings fiend like me :)

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $260.85
Remaining on Acme GC: $18.88
Pending rebates: $92.62
"So it's really like": $149.35 spent

Acme, Shoprite, Produce Junction

This week Acme is the store with the moneymaker General Mills CAT deal. I am definitely going to roll this one several times since I have plenty of coupons. For the low-cost deal to get it started:6 Warm Delights, $1.66/1.67 each, used 2 $0.55 IP doubled to $1.10 and 4 $0.50 MQ doubled = $3.80
3 Betty Crocker Frosting, $1.79 each, used 3 $0.55 MQ doubled to $1.10 = $2.07
1 Pillsbury Grands biscuits, $1.25, used $1/1 MQ (home mailer) = $0.25
Total: $6.12 off Acme GC
Earned $10 CAT that I will roll, roll, roll!

We're going to have sooooo many Warm Delights, frosting, and cookie mix by the time this week is over. I'm not getting any thinner!

Shoprite
3 Starkist Tuna, $0.88 each minus $1.50/3 MQ = $1.14
2 Eggland's Best eggs, $1.49 each minus one $0.35 MQ (couldn't find my second coupon!) doubled to $0.70 = $2.28
2.94 lb Shoprite Italian sausage at $1.88/lb = $5.53
Used $1 CAT (from mustard the other week)
Total: $7.95

Produce Junction is a local chain that has sort of a farmer's market feel to it. They only sell in certain quantities and are cash-only to keep costs down. I should go there more often during my non-gardening season.
4 pink grapefruit = $1.00
Bagged spinach = $1.25
4 lbs broccoli = $3.00
2 lbs Brussels sprouts = $2.00
Total: $7.25

I am planning on making frittata tomorrow with some of the eggs, sausage, broccoli, and spinach.

Oh, I got my January Rite Aid SCR check yesterday, so that's $7.00 out of the pending rebate total and subtracted from my total spent.

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $260.80
Remaining on Acme GC: $18.88
Pending rebates: $92.62
"So it's really like": $149.30 spent

Being social

Some other students were getting lunch at a cafeteria on campus and I decided to be social and join them instead of hiding in my lab. It was an a la carte place, so to cut costs I just drank water. Still $5.87 spent, though. And it wasn't even very tasty. Sigh...the bags full of things I could get at a grocery store for under $5.87... At least I feel slightly less out of the loop now.

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $252.60
Remaining on Acme GC: $25.00
Pending rebates: $99.62
"So it's really like": $127.98 spent this year

Pathmark, Rite Aid

Since Pathmark's sale cycle ends soon, I had to get my butt in gear and finally roll the CAT I got last Friday. The result: $0.81 for all this:
Cheerios, $1.99, used $1/1 MQ = $0.99
Trix, $1.99, used $0.55/1 IP doubled to $1 = $0.99
2 Betty Crocker cookie mix, $1.66 each, used 2 $0.50/1 IP = $1.72
1 Betty Crocker frosting, $1.66, used $0.50/1 MQ = $0.66
2 Progresso soup, $1.33 each, used $1/2 IP = $1.66
2 Progresso bread crumbs, $0.98 each, used $1/2 IP = $0.96
3 Chex Mix, $1.25 each, used 3 $0.60/1 IP doubled to $1 = $0.75
5 lb potatoes = $1.48
Used $8 CAT
Total: $0.81, earned a new $8 CAT

Obviously I am not right in the head because I'm a little disappointed that my oop was not lower. It would have been only $0.15 if my store still had Cinnamon Toast Crunch in stock. Oh well, that's what I get for waiting until the end of the week.

Rite Aid:
Fructis hairspray, $2.99 minus $1 MQ = $1.99
Durex condoms, $6.00 (my paper did not get the MQ)
Nivea lip balm, $2.99 minus $1 MQ = $1.99
$0.63 tax
Total = $10.61
Will get $10.99 back from SCR

Yearly totals:
Total spent: $246.73
Remaining on Acme GC: $25.00
Pending rebates: $99.62
"So it's really like": $122.11 spent this year

CVS

I seriously need a free chocolate deal. We have enough crackers to last all year. But what was free today? More crackers.

CVS:
4 Small box Wheat Thins/Ritz, $1 each, minus 2 $2/2 MQ = FREE
That's all I got, so no oop.

I haven't felt much like shopping lately. Might have something to do with my need for chocolate.

Total spent so far: $235.31
Remaining on Acme GC: $25.00
Pending rebates: $88.63
"So it's really like": $121.68 spent this year

Walgreens

My RR from the Sunkist/Canada Dry was about to expire, and the weather was surprisingly spring-like today, so Ryan and I walked to Wags.
Fusion Gamer, $8.99 minus $4 MQ = $4.99
Zucol lozenges, $7.99 minus $2 MQ = $5.99
Walgreens brand contact solution, $1.99
Used $2 RR
Plus $0.77 tax = $11.74 off GC
Earned $6 RR for Gamer, $10.97 rebate to be reloaded onto GC (110% of $7.99 + $1.99).

No alteration of my running totals because the oop was all GC. For my records, I now have $44.40 on my GC. I will buy more of the February FAR items using my razor RR to convert that money back into a non-expiring currency.

Pathmark: Money-making General Mills Catalina Deal

Pathmark has a Catalina deal this week: Spend $35 on select General Mills products, earn a $8 CAT toward your next order. 8:35 is not usually a good enough ratio to tempt me, but this deal works on $35 of regular shelf prices, even though your oop is based on sale prices (and coupons). Unfortunately the Pathmarks in South Jersey cap their doubled coupons to $1, but it's still a great deal. Wish I hadn't used most of my Chex Mix coupons last week, but I was able to print a few.

3 Cinnamon Toast Crunch, $1.99 each minus $3/3 peelie MQ = $2.97
1 Trix, $1.99 minus $0.55 IP doubled to $1 = $0.99
2 Progresso, $1.33 each minus 2 $1.10 IP = $0.46
3 Chex Mix, $1.25 each minus 3 $0.60 IP doubled to $1 = $0.75
1 Betty Crocker cookie mix, $1.66 minus $0.50 IP doubled = $0.66
Total: $5.83
Earned $8 toward next trip

These CATs usually roll (i.e. I can do another deal and use the CAT to pay my oop), but I'm going to wait and have someone else on Hot Coupon World be the guinea pig...another reason why HCW is awesome :)

Cookies for snacks tonight! Woohoo! I was getting bored with salty stuff and really wanted some sweets.

Total spent so far: $235.31
Remaining on Acme GC: $25.00
Pending rebates: $88.63
"So it's really like": $121.68 spent this year

February: Shoprite, CVS

More shopping already! Shoprite and CVS begin new sales cycles on Sundays. I wanted to get it done early before the last-minute pre-Superbowl shoppers. It was already pretty busy at Shoprite at 10 am.

Shoprite:
2 Sucrets Ice throat coolers, $1.49 each, used 2 $1.50 MQ = FREE
2 Electrasol dishwashing tabs, $2.89 each, used 2 $2.50 MQ = $0.78
1 5 lb Shoprite flour = $1.88
1.2 lb grapes at $0.99/lb = $1.19
2 French's Spicy Brown mustard, $0.89 each, used 2 $0.75 doubled = FREE
4 Bic Twin razors, $1.64 each, used 3 $2 MQ = $0.56
Plus $0.87 tax, cashier forgot reusable bag credit= $5.28
I earned a $1 CAT for buying two mustards

I could have got 3 razors for free, but picked up the fourth so that there would be no hassle with coupons beeping for adjustment (there was with the Sucrets anyway). I only had 3 razor coupons, so I still got 4 for almost free.


CVS, since we were getting low on paper towels:
1 Bounty Basic 8 rolls paper towels, $5.99 minus $1 MQ = $4.99
2 L'oreal Revitalift towelettes, $5.99 each minus 2 $2 MQ = $7.98
2 Reese's Whipps, $0.50 each minus $1/2 MQ = FREE
1 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (filler) = $0.50
Used $13 ECB
Total: $0.50 (cash)
Earned $10 ECB for Revitalift

Total spent so far: $229.48
Remaining on Acme GC: $25.00
Pending rebates: $88.63
"So it's really like": $115.85 spent this year

Month in review: January

I was psyched with my January totals, then Ryan called from his trip and told me he spent $20 over two lunches at the ski resort lunch stand. His dad paid for dinners and the rest of the trip, but they went to different food stands for lunch. I guess I have to add that into the budget :(

End of January totals:
Total spent so far: $223.70
Remaining on Acme GC: $25.00
Pending rebates: $88.63
"So it's really like": $110.07 spent this year

I am too lazy to do an item-by-item analysis, so I'll just make up some categories to comment on.

Deal of the month: Free cat food at Kmart! We go through it so fast that it was great to be able to super-stockpile it. Free/overage Garnier at Walgreens was nice, too. I also had a couple sweet triples runs at Pathmark and Superfresh.

Things I stockpiled a lot of (based on quantity and how fast we use it): Club crackers (lol), Tostitos, cat food, soda, shampoo/conditioner, peanut butter, soup, frozen veggies, pasta

Deal that got away: I always forgot to pick up the CVS brand allergy medicine the week that it was FAECB. We don't use it, but my brothers-in-law do, especially when they visit us and all the kitties.

Wish I'd gotten more of: Rogaine. I won't say who, but someone in our household has started using it...hint, it says "not for use on women." Anyone buy it just to roll ECBs and want to trade items?