Woooooaaaah, we're halfway there...

(Edited to change total slightly due to previous math error)

Tomorrow is the last day of June, and I'm not going shopping, so that means that I'm halfway through the grocery challenge! Right now the bottom line is $697.57, which is only 44% of the yearly allotment. That's great, because it means there's some wiggle room for us to go out to eat several times during "vacation" when Ryan comes up to Maine. Mmm...lobster!

Spending during the last week:
Me at Shaw's: $32.62 (didn't use a single coupon! gasp!)
Ryan at Shoprite: $35.87, will submit for $10 salty snack rebate
Me at Dunkin Donuts: $2.71

Total spent: $1,270.46
Pending rebates: $59.37
Rebates received: $157.52
Flea market profits: $346.00
Remaining on Target GC: $10.00
"So it's really like": $697.57 spent

Catching up...

I am a couple weeks behind here...

Purchased in Maine:
Junk food and wine from Hannaford because I was going crazy eating only healthy food: $16.36
Arby's on my way to the airport: $6.32
Gourmet candy bar from Target: $1.99

Down in NJ:
On the plus side, I received $25.00 in rebate checks ($15 from Coors, $10 from Bud)
Ryan's dad came to visit and we took him out to dinner for father's day. I'm not including the cost of his meal since it is considered a gift, but our meals (and tax, tip) come out of the budget: $30.92
I was billed for the newspaper subscription: $13.66
Two trips to ShopRite: used up GC plus $34.06 additional spending to get Ryan stocked up for the next month or so:

I guess I'm in okay shape since the year is almost half over, but the stockpile has shrunk considerably since I'm not shopping as much. Keeping under the $1600 budget shouldn't be a problem, but sadistic 'ol me was kind of hoping to bring it down even more ($1400?). We'll see...

Total spent: $1,199.26
Pending rebates: $49.81
Rebates received: $157.52
Flea market profits: $346.00
Remaining on Target GC: $10.00
"So it's really like": $635.93 spent

Blingee challenge!

I am super bored. It's pouring rain outside and there is no wheeling and dealing to do where I am in the boonies. So...I made this:



That's my loot from CVS Black Friday 2007, decorated using Blingee. I thought it would be fun to see what other people came up with as far as pimped-out shopping trip/stockpile photos. Leave a comment if you make one :)

Shoprite, Target, Rite Aid, Kmart

I was getting homesick so I made a trip back to NJ for a long weekend. Since my strawberries are producing, I felt like strawberry shortcake and splurged on full-price ingredients:

Shoprite (forgot to photograph):
2 Half-gallon Turkey Hill ice cream, $1.99 each =$3.98
2 dozen Eggland's Best eggs, $1.77 each, used 2 $0.35 MQ doubled = $2.14
Bisquick (ack! the coupon came out a day later!) = $3.69
2 2L Coke products, $0.79 each = $1.58
Box Marcal tissues, $1.59, used free item MQ = FREE
$0.11 tax
Total = $13.19

Ryan and I went to NYC for a day and got lunch at Subway. Two foot-long subs plus one large drink = $12.99

I also stocked us up on kitty litter at Target:
Each 35 pound bucket was $11.99, which is a good price to begin with, but you also get a $5 Target GC when you purchase two. I did two transactions to make sure that I got two GCs. It's a good thing we get cat food for free, because this is a lot of money for stuff for the cats to pee and poop on, sheesh!
4 buckets litter, $11.99 each, used 2 $1 MQ (ran out, wish I had two more) = $45.96
1 Wholesome Goodness wet food, $0.79, used free item MQ = FREE
$2.71 tax
Total: $48.67
Earned $10 Target GCs


Rite Aid:

Complete contact lens solution, $7.99 minus $2 MQ = $5.99
Morton's salt = $0.89
Total = $6.88
Will get $7.99 Single Check Rebate for the Complete


Acme: Ryan picked up some staples while I was gone (not pictured): $3.34


Kmart super doubles:
Cutter insect repellent, $4.79 minus $2 MQ doubled = $0.79
2 Goodlife cat food, $3.99 minus 2 $2 MQ doubled = FREE
Oust disinfectant, $3.79 minus $2 MQ doubled = FREE
Greased Lightning cleaner, $2.99 minus $1.50 MQ doubled = FREE
Taster's Choice instant coffee, $4.14 minus $1 MQ doubled = $2.14
$0.86 tax
Total: $3.79


Shoprite (not pictured):
8th Continent soy milk (1/2 gallon), $3.49 minus $1 MQ = $2.49
2 Shoprite brand soy milk (1 quart each), $1.39 each = $2.78
Shoprite brand bagels = $1.49
3 mangoes, $0.49 each (cheapest I have ever seen here!) = $1.47
3.42 lb peaches at $0.79/lb (also a great price!) = $2.71
Box Marcal tissues, $1.59, used free item MQ = FREE
$0.05 bag refund
Total: $10.84


Total spent: $1,095.95
Pending rebates: $74.81
Rebates received: $132.52
Flea market profits: $346.00
Remaining on Shoprite GC: $31.28
Remaining on Target GC: $10.00
"So it's really like": $501.34 spent