On the road...

No epic deals this weekend...Ryan and I are in Portland, OR for my brother's wedding. We have a fair number of free meals (rehearsal dinner, reception, free continental breakfast at the hotel), but there was some unavoidable spending on food. The damage so far:

Friday lunch: $8.43 on food court Chinese at our layover in Dallas. We got one big meal and split it instead of each getting one. For a beverage I used a Starbucks GC that I found on the ground last year to get a bottled water.

Friday dinner: $50.63 (ouch!) We met up with my brother, his fiancee, and their friends for dinner at a nice place. We got some of the cheaper entrees, but I also got an $8 cocktail. Oh well, it's a special occasion!

Today and tomorrow we shouldn't have any food spending (the wedding is Sunday afternoon). We tacked an extra day on our trip (Monday) for sightseeing. If we have our free continental breakfast and smuggle out some bananas and bagels, dinner is all we should have to pay on Monday. Then we'll buy lunch on our layover Tuesday.

Year to date:
Total spent: $552.07
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $66.95
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $410.57 spent

CVS, Walgreens, Kmart, Shoprite

CVS (my card):
Crest Pro-Health Enamel Shield, $3.49 minus $1 MQ = $2.49
CVS brand deluxe paper towels = $1.99
Spray hose nozzle = $4.99
Used $8.99 ECB
Total: $0.48 (will not deduct from budget since we needed the nozzle and it's not a budget item)

Walgreens:
Escencia shampoo = $5.99, will submit for try me free rebate
Suave shampoo, $1.99 minus $3 MQ that took off full amount = -$1.01 overage
11 Hunt's tomato sauce = $8.80
$0.56 tax
Total: $12.34 off GC

Kmart:
Goodlife Recipe cat food $3.99 minus $2 MQ doubled = FREE
3 Friskies Party Mix, $1.69 minus 3 $1 MQ doubled = FREE
4 Kotex Lightdays, $1.29 minus 4 $0.75 MQ doubled = FREE
8 EAS Myoplex bars, $1.99 minus 8 $1 MQ doubled = FREE
3 Wholesome Goodness wet cat food, $0.70 each, minus $1/3 MQ (not doubled) = $1.10
Secret Flawless deo, $4.49 minus $2 MQ doubled = $0.49
Gillette Satin Care shaving cream, $2.59 minus $1 MQ doubled = $0.59
12 pack Diet Pepsi, $4.29 minus $2 MQ doubled = $0.29
$0.94 tax
Total = $4.41

Shoprite:
4 Carolina rice, $0.91 each, used 4 $0.50 MQ doubled = FREE
Marcal toilet paper, $0.99 minus free item coupon = FREE
Frank's Red Hot sauce, $1.19 minus free item coupon = FREE
Shoprite hamburger buns = $0.99
Quart Silk Soymilk, $2.00 minus $1 MQ = $1.00
Shoprite brand butter = $1.99
$0.05 bag refund
Total = $3.92

Year to date:
Total spent: $493.01
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $66.95
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $351.51 spent

Kmart super doubles!

My gamble paid off! Last time Kmart had super doubles, Goodlife Recipe cat food was $4.99, so although I had tons of $2 coupons, I waited in case there was another super double week when they were on sale for less. Bingo! My hunch was correct and I saved $24 over what I would've paid last month. This was total from a couple stores:
24 2.7-3 lb bags Goodlife Recipe cat food, $3.99, used $2 MQ doubled = FREE
2 Pepsi 12 packs, $4.29 each, used 2 $2 MQ doubled = $0.58
Endust free, $3.29, used $2 MQ doubled = FREE
Juicy Fruit, $1, used free item MQ = FREE
Lysol spray, $4.50, used $2 MQ doubled = $0.50
Formula 409 carpet cleaner, $2.79, used $1 MQ doubled = $0.79
Nature's Source glass cleaner, $2.50, thought I used $1 MQ but cashier must have missed it = $2.50
Myoplex Lite energy bar by EAS, $1.99, used $1 MQ doubled = FREE
$4.43 tax
Total: $8.79

I have lots more EAS coupons at home that I hadn't thought to clip and bring along, so I'll probably go back later this week. I also have more Endust coupons, but think that the eight cans or so I now have is plenty both for myself and for the flea market. There were lots of other couponers there at 9:30 am. Most of them seemed to end up buying non-coupon stuff as well, so I guess Kmart's strategy to get folks in the store is working.

I didn't mention that the baby food I bought yesterday was for one of our kitties who has some tummy troubles. No babies around here!

Year to date:
Total spent: $484.68
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $61.38
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $348.75 spent

Walgreens, Acme, Wegmans

Walgreens:
4 Diet Sunkist, $1.25 each, used 2 $1/2 peelie MQ = $3.00
Walgreens brand shoe polish = $3.99
$0.63 tax
Used $6 RR
Total: $1.62 off GC

Acme:
5 bags No Yolks egg noodles, $1.25 each, used 5 $0.75 MQ fully doubled = $0.25 overage each!
Hamburger buns = $1.99
7.07 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast at $1.99/lb = $14.08
Used remaining $1.73 off GC
$14.82 oop

Wegmans:
4 Wheat Thins/Triscuits, $2 each, used 2 $1/2 MQ = $6.00
6 lbs Granny Smith apples at $0.99/lb = $5.94
5 jars baby food, $0.99 each, used $0.75/5 MQ fully doubled = $3.45
Can pineapple = $1.09
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce = $2.59
Big Red gum, $1.19, used free item MQ = FREE
12.10 lb 90% ground beef at $1.99/lb = $24.08
$0.08 tax
Total: $43.23

Yikes, I haven't spent $43 in one food budget transaction in a long time! This is the best price I've seen on 90% ground beef, though, so I really stocked up and this should last several months. It was a nice spring day so we broke out the grill and had burgers topped with BBQ sauce and pineapple rings...soooooo yummy! I will be submitting the Wegmans receipt for a $10 salty snack/condiment rebate, which makes the damage a little more bearable.

Year to date:
Total spent: $475.89
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $61.38
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $339.96 spent

Weekday shopping and rebates

Shoprite:
2 8th Continent soymilk, $1.99 each = $3.98
3 Meow Mix cat treats, $1 each, used 3 $1 MQ = FREE
Carolina rice, $0.91, used $0.50 MQ doubled = FREE
3.41 lb cabbage at $0.09/lb = $0.31
2.81 lb Corned beef at $1.89/lb = $5.31
$0.21 tax
$0.05 bag credit
Total: $9.76



Wegmans:
Rotisserie chicken = $4.99
6 cans corn, $0.33 each = $2.00
2 cans kidney beans, $0.65 each = $1.30
2 cans cannelini beans, $0.79 each = $1.58
2 cans tomato sauce, $0.59 each = $1.18
$0.35 tax
Total: $11.38

Newspaper subscription bill: $14.30 to deduct from budget

I obtained a bunch of beer rebate forms this week. Some of them I'm able to send off using old receipts. After taking into account stamps: $14.18 pending ($10 Bass St. Pat's, $5 Irish Beers/Smirnoff Ice).

Year to date:
Total spent: $417.84
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $51.80
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $289.00 spent

Weekend shopping

Walgreens Saturday:
Eggs = $1.59
Clearance hair clips = $0.87
Walgreens headache geltabs = $2.99
Axe shampoo = $5.99
$0.48 tax
Used $10 RR
Total: $1.92 off GC


CVS Saturday
Ryan's card:
2 Garnier Nutrisse, $5 each, used 2 $2 MQ = $6.00
Crest Pro Health, $2.99 minus $1 MQ = $1.99
$0.35 tax
Used $7.98 ECB
Total: $0.36, earned $5 ECB for Garnier and $2.99 ECB for Crest

My card:
Crest Pro Health, $2.99 minus $1 MQ = $1.99
$0.07 tax
Used $1.99 ECB
Total: $0.07


Pathmark:
4 Zone Perfect bars, $0.98 each, used $0.55 MQ doubled = FREE
4.15 lb cabbage at $0.09/lb = $0.37
2.5 lb thin cut corned beef brisket at $2.49/lb = $6.23
Total: $6.60

CVS Sunday (Ryan's card):
Irish Spring, $4.99 minus $0.50 MQ = $4.49
Colgate MaxWhite, $2.99 minus $0.50 MQ = $2.49
2 Pepsi product 12 pack, $3 each minus 2 $2 MQ = $2.00
2 CVS brand pretzels, $0.79 each = $1.58
$0.28 tax
Used $10 ECB
Total: $0.84, earned $4.99 ECB for Irish Spring, $2.99 ECB for Colgate


Walgreens, Sunday:
4 Diet Sunkist, $1.25 each, used 2 $1/2 peelie MQ = $3.00
Listerine = $3.00
Reach toothbrushes = $3.00
Reach floss = $3.00, used $3/3 Listerine/Reach toothbrush/floss = FREE
$0.98 tax
Used $8 RR
Total: $1.98 off GC
Earned $2 RR for Sunkist, $6 RR for dental stuff

Year to date:
Total spent: $382.40
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $37.62
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $267.74 spent

Pathmark

4 Diet Sunkist, BOGO at $1.89, used 2 $1/2 peelie MQ = $1.78
2 Doritos, BOGO at $3.99, used $3/2 MQ = $0.99
4 Zone Perfect bars, $0.99 each, used 4 $0.55 MQ doubled = FREE
Turkey Hill Ice Cream, $1.88 with SQ and $20 min. purchase, used $1 MQ = $0.88
2 5 lb bags potatoes, BOGO at $2.99 = $2.99
3 10 lb bags Tidy Cats clay litter, $1.99 each, used 3 $1 MQ = $2.97
$0.68 tax
Total: $10.29

Year to date:
Total spent: $374.53
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $37.62
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $259.87 spent

Produce Junction, Walgreens

$15 in rebate checks arrived today: Heineken Shrimp & Sausage and Heineken Game Day Snacks.

Produce Junction:
8 grapefruits, $0.25 each = $2.00
Asparagus = $1.50
10 pears = $2.00
2 lbs. broccoli = $1.50
3 lbs. carrots = $1.25
Total: $8.25


Walgreens:
Just a couple things we needed:
1/2 Gallon milk = $2.19
Coffeemate = $3.79
Used $2 RR
Total: $3.98 off GC


Year to date:
Total spent: $364.24
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $37.62
Rebates received: $69.55
"So it's really like": $249.34 spent

Bottle deposits

Ryan and I took a little road trip this weekend. Since we passed through NY, we returned all our soda cans and bottles for the deposit (that we never paid in the first place since NJ doesn't do the deposit thing). Only 5 cents apiece, but we had quite a few. Y'know, kinda like that episode of Seinfeld where Newman and Kramer steal the mail truck to take a bunch of cans to Michigan for the 10 cent deposit.

No other shopping since we were busy traveling. I packed food for the road and Ryan's dad took us out to dinner, so no expenditures.

$$ back into the budget: $7.55 (I'll classify that as a rebate)


Year to date:
Total spent: $355.99
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $52.62
Rebates received: $54.55
"So it's really like": $241.09 spent

Walgreens, Target, Awards

Walgreens (2 stores):
Store #1 (all the good deals out of stock, argh!):
2 Balsam haircolor, $1.29 each (clearance), used $2 MQ = $0.58
Colgate MaxFresh, $3.29, used $0.50 MQ = $2.79
$0.41 tax
Total: $3.78 off GC, earned $3.50 RR from Colgate

Store #2:
Vaseline Intensive Rescue lotion, $2.84 minus $1.50 MQ = $1.34
Blink eye drops, $7.99 minus $2 MQ = $5.99
4 travel size Dove deodorant, $0.99 each minus 2 $1.50/2 MQ = $0.96
6 Dove bar soap, $0.99 each = $5.94
$0.89 tax
Used $3.50 RR from previous store
Total: $11.62 off GC, earned $20 in RR ($10 Dove, $8 Blink, $2 Vaseline)

Target (not pictured):
I got 2 cute sweaters for $5.74 each. Not part of the budget, but you might want to check out their end-of-season sales!
2 35 lb buckets Tidy Cats Scoop, $10.99 each, used 2 $1 MQ = $19.98
$1.54 tax (not including sweaters)
Budget: $21.52, but earned $5 GC for buying two buckets

Year to date:
Total spent: $355.99
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $52.62
Rebates received: $47.00
"So it's really like": $248.64 spent

I recently received blog awards from Brighten Your Eyes With Savings and Cheap by Choice! The "rules" of the awards are that I have to post more winners, but most of my blogroll have already won. What can I say, I am a rule-breaker! But you should go check out BYEWS and CBC. They're both on my fairly short blogroll.

CVS, Shoprite

Sigh. The deals have not been great this past week and only look slightly better for next week. I feel totally blah and wish spring would just get here, already!

CVS
Ryan's card:
Slimquick energy shots, $4.99
CVS vitamin D, $2.99
CVS travel size tissues, $0.50
Used $7.99 ECB
Total: $0.49

This was just a trip to roll some expiring ECBs. Unfortunately, the store was out of Carnation Instant Breakfast, which is the only FAECB item I actually wanted. By the way, this shop was from Monday (not much motivation to post such a non-awe-inspiring trip).


Shoprite:
3.06 lb bottom round roast, $1.99/lb = $6.09
Windex wipes, $3.29, used $0.55 MQ doubled to $1 = $2.29
Frank's Red Hot, $1.19, used FREE MQ = FREE
2 Meow Mix cat treats, $1.00 each, used 2 $1 MQ = FREE
Scotch Brite dish wand pads = $2.29
2 Kodak 4 ct. AA batteries, $0.88 each = $1.76
After $0.62 tax, total = $13.05

I made a dumb mistake: I saw in my coupon folder that the Try Me Free Windex rebate needed to be postmarked by March 6 (today), so I thought that I caught it in the nick of time and could get it in the mail this afternoon. But when I sat down to fill out the form, it said the purchase must have been before February 22. (palm to forehead here) I don't want to hassle with returning something I used a coupon on, and we'll use these anyway, but I should really be paying more attention.

Year to date:
Total spent: $334.47
Remaining on Acme GC: $1.73
Pending rebates: $52.62
Rebates received: $47.00
"So it's really like": $232.12 spent