Shoprites, Produce Junction, CVS, Blueberry farm

Shoprite:
16 Goya beans, $0.50 each = $8.00
Purina Kitten Chow, $2.19, used Free MQ = FREE
2 Hunt's Ketchup, $1.00 each, used $1/2 MQ = $1.00
Seltzer = $0.99
Shoprite brand diet cola = $0.89
Quart milk = $1.39
Onion = $0.92
4 Hefty zip bags, $1.19 each minus 4 $1 MQ = $0.76
Wooden BBQ skewers = $0.99
2 green peppers = $1.65
4 McCormick grinders, $0.99 each, used 3 $0.75 MQ and 1 $1 MQ = FREE
Mighty Dog can food, $0.66, used FREE MQ that ended up doubling to $1 = $0.34 overage
2.38 lbs cherries, $1.49/lb, used $1 produce winetag MQ = $2.54
$0.67 tax
$0.10 reusable bag refund
Total = $19.34

Produce Junction:
Total = $7.50 (forgot the individual prices)

CVS:
Yup, I'm starting from scratch at CVS. I had a $3/15 email coupon, and in trying to spend that much, Ryan pointed out that the FAECB Filler Paper was indeed, a filler :)
Filler paper = $2.00
Pens = $1.98
Notepads = $1.98
Speed Stick = $2.99, used $1.50 IP MQ
Trash bags = $7.49
Used $3/15 CVS email Q
Total = $12.88 off GC, earned $7.96 ECB ($2 for paper, $1.98 for pens, $1.98 for notebooks, $2 for deo)

U-pick blueberry farm:
We spent a sunny Saturday morning picking blueberries, then the rest of the weekend eating blueberry cobbler :)
5.5 lbs blueberries at $1.60/lb = $8.75

Shoprite:
I was feeling domestic! Did my first canning (blueberry syrup) and baked my first ever yeast bread!
5 lbs Shoprite flour = $1.99
5 lbs Shoprite sugar = $2.49
Packet yeast = $0.50
Mighty Dog can food, $0.66, used free item MQ that doubled to $1 = $0.34 overage
Purina Kitten Chow, $2.19, used free item MQ = FREE
2 12-pack Ball pint canning jars, $7.99 each, used $2.50/2 MQ = $13.48
$1.32 tax
Total = $19.43

The jars were expensive but are sort of an investment; they can be reused and I plan on doing more canning over the years as my garden gets bigger.

With receipts I had accumulated over the summer, I submitted a $25/$50 meat rebate and $10/$20 produce rebate, both from Dos Equis. Minus the cost of stamps, that's $34.12 into pending rebates.

I received June's Rite Aid SCR, so that's $7.99 from pending to received rebates.

Total spent: $1,3497.61
Pending rebates: $93.50
Rebates received: $165.51
Flea market profits: $346.00
Remaining on Target GC: $10.00
"So it's really like": $782.60 spent

Wegmans, Produce Junction, Acme, Walgreens, CVS, Shoprite

This is the last of my shopping before I am off to Maine for the summer.

Wegmans:
This was done in two transactions so I can submit for two different rebates. The salmon transaction ($17.95 oop) has been submitted for the $10 Bud Light Lime Summer Grilling rebate. The ground beef transaction ($39.69) is going toward the $15/50 meat and salty snack rebate from Coors.

Produce Junction:
All these yummy fruits and veggies for only $8.75. Soon the garden will be providing all of Ryan's produce, though I'll have to find somewhere to get some at reasonable prices in Maine.


Acme:
Total oop: $0.70! I got $0.50 overage on one of the Tabasco sauces. The wraps were cheap after coupon and everything else was free after coupon.

Walgreens:
Used a free item Q for the cough drops. Paid with Wags GC, so no oop.


CVS:
Burned the rest of the ECBs on my card. I'll need the bug spray in Maine. oop: $0.10

Shoprite:
First transaction: bought a $50 Shoprite GC. Will submit the receipt for $20/$50 GC Heineken rebate. Free money!

Second transaction:
Total: $18.72 off Shoprite GC.

I received a $5 rebate check in the mail for the Heineken St. Patty's day rebate.

Oh, and got billed for newspaper deliver: $16.49


Total spent: $982.29
Pending rebates: $66.82
Rebates received: $132.52
Flea market profits: $346.00
Remaining on Shoprite GC: $31.28
"So it's really like": $405.67 spent

Shoprite, CVS, Pathmark

Shoprite:
4 Vitaminwater10, $1.00 each minus 4 $1 MQ = FREE
Marcal toilet paper, $0.99 minus FREE MQ = FREE
2 Ziplock bags, $1.50 each minus 2 $0.55 MQ doubled to $1 = $1.00
12 Breyer's yogurt, 3/$1 minus 3 $0.50/4 MQ doubled = $1.00
2 Turkey Hill ice cream, $1.79 each minus 2 $1 MQ = $1.58
Purdue aplit chicken breast, 1.47 lb at $1.49/lb =$2.19
$0.10 reusable bag refund
$0.42 tax
Total: $6.11

CVS (Ryan's card):
5 Diet Pepsi 2L, 5/$5 (supposed to be $1.25 each and get free Sierra Mist wyb 4, but they were out of Sierra Mist so the cashier made the adjustment for me), minus $1/4 MQ = $4.00
Softsoap body wash, $4.99 minus $1 MQ = $3.99
Hawaiian Punch drink mix singles = $1.00
Used $7.98 ECB
oop: $1.22

I accidentally let a bunch of ECBs expire...I thought that yesterday was the 13th but it was really the 14th. I may just let the remaining ones trickle away on FAECB and needed items, then start over in the fall. I have a $50 CVS GC coming in the mail from MyPoints, so that will allow me to get off the ground in the fall with no oop. The sales and coupons are just not that great these days...we need another set of sales like the Black Friday/Listerine weekend pair from November and December 2008.

Pathmark:
4 Eggo Waffles, $0.99 each minus 4 $0.75 MQ doubled = FREE
3 Vitaminwater10, $1.00 each minus 3 $1 MQ = FREE
$0.21 tax = $0.21 total

Year to date:
Total spent: $673.88
Remaining on Target GC: $5.00
Pending rebates: $78.11
Rebates received: $77.55
"So it's really like": $513.22 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

Shoprite, CVS, Pathmark, Acme, Rite Aid, Wegmans

Ryan is away for a father-son ski weekend, so I have all the time in the world to wheel and deal. I hit 6 stores in a row and it wore me out! I took a separate picture for each store's haul.

You may be noticing a pattern by now: I tend to hit stores on the weekend right after a sale begins, then be too busy and tired on weekdays. Then I frantically hit all the stores again right before the sales end to finish the deals.

Shoprite:
4 Chex Mix, $1.25 each minus 4 $0.50 MQ doubled = $1.00
2 Wheat Thins, $2.00 each minus 1 $2/2 MQ = $2.00
1 32 oz. Coffeemate, $2.99 minus $1.50 IP = $1.49
1 Frank's Red Hot Sauce, $1.29 minus $0.50 doubled = $0.29
Minus $0.05 reusable bag credit = $4.73


CVS #1 (Ryan's card):
2 Sierra Mist Free 12 pk, 3/$10 = $6.67
2 Diet Pepsi 2L, $1.25 each = $2.50
1 Nutra-Trim gum = $3.99
1 Head and Shoulders = $4.99, used $1 MQ
1 Gillette Fusion Gamer = $7.99, used $4 MQ
Used $19.98 ECB
Total: $1.59, used remaining balance ($0.56) on GC, rest cash ($1.03)
Earned $20.99 ECB (10 for Pepsi, 3 for shampoo, 3.99 for gum, 4 for razor)


Pathmark:
4 McCormick taco seasoning, $0.50 each, used 2 $0.25 MQ and 1 $0.25/2 MQ doubled, = $0.50
2 Colgate toothpaste, $0.99 each, used 2 $0.50 MQ doubled = FREE
3 Wholly Guacamole (small size), $0.98 each, used 3 $0.50 MQ doubled = FREE
Plus $0.07 tax = $0.57

Woohoo free guacamole! Perfect for all the Tostitos we have. I sampled some already, and it's good :)


Acme:
4 cans Hormel chili, $1.00 each, minus 2 $1/2 MQ = $2.00
1 Softsoap pump, $1.00, minus $0.35 MQ doubled = $0.30
1 20 lb Arm & Hammer kitty litter, $5.50, minus $1 MQ = $4.50
2 Knorr Sides Plus Veggies, $1.00 each, minus $0.75/2 fully doubled = $0.50
2 Glory Sensibly Seasoned black eyed peas, $1.25 each, minus $0.75/2 fully doubled = $1.00
3 Culinary Circle frozen pizzas, $3.99 each = $11.97
3 Diet Dr. Pepper 2L, $1.00 each, used 3 FREE wyb Culinary Circle pizza MQ (found in store as part of a promotion). Cashier inputted maximum value of coupon, so $1.47 overage!
Plus $0.64 tax = $19.44
Spent $10.23 off GC, remaining $9.21 on credit card (I didn't have my second Acme GC with me)

I am submitting the pizzas as part of my $15 Bud deli/pizza/chicken rebate, so I'll get back $10 of what I spent at Acme.


Rite Aid:
Just one lonely shampoo, $2.99 minus $1 MQ = $1.99 plus $0.21 tax = $2.20
Will submit for $2.99 SCR, so $0.79 eventual profit

Five minutes after the above picture was taken, little Garnier was reunited with her family:


CVS #2 (my card):
3 Tostitos, $3 each = $9.00
2 Diet Pepsi 2L, $1.25 each = $2.50
1 Head & Shoulders, $4.99 minus $1 MQ = $3.99
1 Gillette Fusion Gamer, $7.99 minus $4 MQ = $3.99
1 Stacy's Pita Chips, $3.00 minus $1.50 MQ = $1.50
2 Pantene Brunette Expressions, $4.99 each minus $3/2 MQ = $6.98
Used $5/$30 email CVS Q
Spent $20.99 ECB
Total: $1.97, used final $0.41 off a GC, so $1.56 oop
Earned $23 ECB ($10 for Pepsi, $9 for shampoo, $4 for razor)
I will be submitting this receipt for a $5 rebate (Heineken, $5 rebate off $10 game day snacks)


Finally, an unillustrated trip from Wednesday. The rotisserie chicken will be the other part of my $15 Bud Deli/Pizza/Chicken rebate, so think of $5 of this as refundable.

Wegmans:
Rotisserie Chicken, $4.99
6 cans Wegmans brand corn, $0.33 each = $1.98
Plus $0.35 tax = $7.32 total

Whew!

Total spent so far: $203.70
Remaining on Acme GC: $25.00
Pending rebates: $88.63
"So it's really like": $90.07 spent this year

CVS, Walgreens

There aren't any killer deals at my grocery stores this week, so good 'ol CVS and Walgreens it is.

Walgreens:
3 7up brand 2L sodas, 3/$4 minus one $1/2 Sunkist peelie MQ = $3.00
After tax, $3.28 off GC
Earned $2 RR

CVS (Ryan's card):
3 Tostitos chips, $3 each = $9.00
1 Stacy's Pita Chips, $3 minus $1.50/1 MQ = $1.50
1 Tostitos salsa, $2.99, used Free Salsa wyb 2 Tostitos MQ = FREE
1 CVS cough drops, used free item CRT = FREE
Used $5 ECB
Total: $5.50 on credit card
Working toward Pepsi ECBs
Will submit for $10 rebate (Bud Bowl C-Store: salty snacks)

CVS (my card):
2 Tostitos chips, $3 each = $6.00
1 Nutra-trim gum = $3.99
1 Nice & Easy haircolor on clearance = $1.99
1 Nice & Easy haircolor on clearance = $2.49, used $5/2 MQ (took off full $5 = overage!)
Used $5 ECB
Total: $4.71 on credit card
Earned $3.99 ECB, working toward Pepsi ECBs
Will submit for $5 rebate (Bud $5 off $5.01+ salty snacks)

Total spent so far: $177.08
Remaining on Acme GC: $35.22
Pending rebates: $65.64
"So it's really like": $76.22 spent this year

CVS, Walgreens

Two CVS and one WAG today. No oop, just GC's today. Oh, if this sounds like Greek to you, I now have an index of all my commonly-used abbreviations and acronyms off in the sidebar.


Walgreens:
Revlon Matte eyeshadow, $4.99, used $2 MQ, will get $5.49 ESR (cost + 10% GC bonus)
Orajel cold sore patch, $8.49, used $1 MQ, will get get $9.34 ESR, will also submit for $8 manufacturer's MIR
Trial size Tuf kitchen trash bags, clearanced to $0.50
Dozen eggs, $1.59
Plus $0.39 tax, used $10 RR, total = $2.96 off GC

I've heard that a previous Orajel rebate had poor return rate; pretty much no one got theirs until they contacted the company. I will give it a try anyway and keep a copy of all my materials in case it gets "lost in the mail."

CVS #1 (my card):
2 2L Pepsi brand, $2.50
1 12 pk Diet Pepsi, $3.00
1 Stacy's Pita Chips, $3.00 - $1.50 MQ (tomorrow's paper)
1 Rogaine foam, $19.99 - $15.00 IP
1 Chocolate-covered pretzel rod, $0.33
Used $12 ECB
= $1.29 off GC
Earned $10 ECB for finishing Pepsi deal, $5 ECB for Rogaine

CVS #2 (Ryan's card)
1 Rogaine foam, $19.99 - $15.00 IP
2 Nutra-trim gum, $7.98
1 NeilMed Nasogel, $7.99
1 Reese's PB Cup, $0.50
Used $21 ECB
=$0.98 off GC
Earned $5 ECB for Rogaine, $7.98 ECB for Nutra-trim, $7.99 for Nasogel

I will go ahead and account for the Orajel rebate stamp below, but otherwise no oop to account for below.

Total spent so far: $125.82
Remaining on Acme GC: $35.22
Pending rebates: $41.90
"So it's really like": $48.70 spent this year

CVS, Walgreens

Snacks!

CVS #1 (my card):
4 Tostitos, $3 each
1 Rogaine for Men, $19.99
1 Box CVS candy canes on 90% clearance, $0.09
- $5/30 email coupon
- $15 Rogaine IP MQ
- $12 ECB
= $0.30 oop, paid cash
Received $5 ECB for Rogaine, working toward Pepsi deal (spend $20 get $10 ECB, I am over halfway there)

CVS #2 (Ryan's card):
2 Tostitos, $3 each
1 Rogaine for Men, $19.99
2 Sierra Mist 2L, $1.25 each
2 boxes Soyjoy bars, $6 each
4 12 packs Diet Cherry Pepsi, $3 each
1 small CVS pretzels, $0.79
- $10/50 CRT (cash register tape coupon)
-$15 Rogaine IP
-$27.95 in ECB
= $0.33 oop, paid cash
Received $12 ECB for Soyjoy, $10 ECB for Pepsi, and $5 ECB for Rogaine

I will send in the UPC's and receipts from these two transactions for the Pepsi offer here. I did the same offer last year. They send you 5 coupons good for $2 off a Pepsi 12 pack and 5 coupons good for $1 off Pepsico chips (including Tostitos, Doritos, Lays, etc). That will help me get more cheap/free soda later on.

Walgreens:
5 Skippy peanut butter, $1.99 each, used one $0.35/1 MQ and one $0.75/2 MQ
3 Ragu , $1.99 each, used $1/3 MQ
- $5 Register Reward (RR)
= $8.82 off gift card
Earned $10 RR for buying 8 Unilever products

Oh, I should also account for some money spent on stamps. I traded to get the Rogaine IPs (they wouldn't work on my computer) and a rebate form, so 3 stamps = $1.26

Total spent so far: $104.14
Remaining on Acme GC: $35.22
Pending rebates: $25.74
"So it's really like": $43.18 spent this year

Rite Aid, CVS, Shoprite, Dinner

The Whipps bars from Rite Aid: on sale 2/$1 through Saturday, used 6 $1/2 MQ = just paid $0.42 tax. I even resurrected the four we ate last night for this picture:


I was irritated at CVS because they were out of everything I had planned on buying. So instead of earning ECBs, I burnt some. We needed something yummy to drink to get us to the Pepsi deal that starts Sunday.
On Ryan's card:
13 boxes CVS candy canes (cherry flavor) on 90% clearance, so $0.09 apiece = $1.17
2 packs CVS sparkling flavored water at $3.97 apiece = $7.94
1 cent tax (the amount paid for by ECB is not taxed)
Used $8.97 ECB
Out of pocket: $0.15
Earned $4 ECB for sparkling water

Shoprite: Most stuff was on sale.

6 boxes pasta, $0.54 each
3 Lysol wipes, $1.49 each minus 3 $1 MQ
4 cans Shoprite beans, $0.50 each
5 lbs. russet potatoes, $1.49
24 oz. frozen corn, $1.39
24 oz. frozen peas, $1.39
Red pepper, $0.87
1.3 lbs. ground turkey ($1.99/lb), $2.59
Perdue chicken nuggets, $1.99 minus $1 MQ
3.6 lbs. broccoli crowns ($0.99/lb), 3.56
Clearance bruschetta bread, $0.74
Total after $0.31 tax and $0.10 reusable bag credit = $19.94

I hate that I had to pay full price for frozen veggies, but the free Green Giant steamers I got all have sauce (they were the only ones I could find), and I need plain veggies for the meals I have planned for the next few days. As you can see, we REALLY like broccoli, and that's as cheap as it gets in the grocery store.

Tonight's dinner: turkey chili

Contents:
Ground turkey from Shoprite = $2.59 (today)
Onion from last year's garden = FREE
Pureed Muir Glen tomatoes = FREE (Superfresh two weeks ago)
2 cans beans, 1 kidney and 1 white = $1 (today)
1 cup corn = $0.35 (today)
Various spices = $0.02 (most from CVS)
Serve with tortilla chips = $0.20 (1/4 of salty snack rebate cost/postage)
Total: $4.16, Serves 5-6

We pretty much always make at least 4 servings of whatever we're cooking, then take leftovers to work the next day. If we're lucky we'll even have another lunch portion left after that.

Spent this year: $80.12
Pending rebates: $25.74
Acme GC balance: $41.79
"So it's really like I've only spent": $12.59

Aww...actually dipping into my real money now!