Today I am officially unemployed and a stay-at-home mom. It feels weird to not have a job, but also really great to know I get to stay at home and raise my daughter and not pay for daycare. This week was unusual; hardly any mail and I spent more this week on groceries then I have the rest of the weeks. We got a newer used car which was nice and we didn't have to spend extra money on paying off a speeding ticket from last year due to the officer moving out of province. It was a week where God blessed us in other areas instead of in the grocery store. However, the best part of this week was actually helping someone out with my couponing. It's a pretty cool story, but you'll have to read the whole post to get to it at the end.
Mail; I might as well not even mention. 2 coupon trains. That's it!
2 stops this week: RCSS and Walmart
This week was more of a "stock-up" kind of week. I hardly used any coupons but there were great "bulk" deals. My maternity pay is coming to an end (just one more payment from the gov't) which means my grocery budget gets slashed. So I figured now would be a great time to stock up on some much needed items.
RCSS:
Kellogg's Special K: reg. $3.38 on sale. $1.94 X 2 - $1.00 X 2 = $1.88 = 0.94 cents per box (also if you purchased 2 boxes you could get a free yoga mat-can't wait to get it in the mail)
Kellogg's Cereal: on sale. $2.97 B2GO = $5.94 for 3 boxes = $1.98 per box
All Bran Bars: on sale. $2.47 X 3 - $1.00 X 3 = $2.94 = $1.47 per box (these also came with a $1.00 off coupon for the next time I buy All Bran bars = 3 X $1.00 coupons)
Triscuits: on sale. $1.97 - FPC = FREE!
Tylenol (100 count): on sale. $5.97 X 2 - $2.00 X 2 = $7.94 = $3.97 per box!
Total: $85.63
Coupons: $21.94
Savings : 21%
Walmart:
Catelli Whole Wheat Pasta: on sale. $1.77 X 2 - $1.00 WUB2 = $2.54 = $1.27 per box
Chunky Soup: reg. $2.49. on sale. $1.67 X 16 cans - 4 X $1 WUB4 = $22.72 = $1.42 per can (my husband loves these for lunch and they hardly ever go on sale)
Total: $67.04
Coupons: $7.50
Savings :10%
So on to the story; earlier this week I decided to post 2 cans of Enfamil formula on a Facebook buy and sell site. I had stacked coupons and purchased the cans for about $3 each rather than $34.99 (the large ones). My daughter never ended up needing formula so I decided to sell it for $20.00 a can to someone who did need it. The short version of the story is that a young single mom who was in some financial woes ended up messaging me. I dropped it off for her and even gave her some Enfamil and Diaper coupons too to help her out. She couldn't tell me how much she appreciated the good price and the extras, as she was trying to decide whether to feed her son this month or spend the extra money on moving to a safer place. It just made me happy that someone so deserving got it and that I could give it to her so cheap since I used coupons to get it for next to nothing.
Total Spent Week 4: $152.67
Total Coupons Week 4: $29.44
% Savings: 16%
Total Spent to Date: $456.82
Total Coupons to Date: $167.04
% savings to Date: 27%
Saturday 28 January 2012
Sunday 22 January 2012
Week 3: Jan 15-21
Slow week this week...didn't get out much due to the weather. The Fraser Valley was hit by a crazy snowstorm Sunday night which preceded to dump over 2 feet of snow in 48 hours. By Wednesday people were snowed in and schools in the area were closed indefinitely until the weather cleared up. Thursday and Friday brought freezing rain, creating skating rinks out of parking lots and ice castles from the snow that had already fallen. Mail was backed up and not delivered in some areas until late Friday. Saturday was pretty much the only day I dared to venture out, however all in all I got some good deals, spent very little and got some excellent coupons and trains in the mail, despite the crazy weather.
Mail was good, considering. This week I got 2 coupon trains, 2 envelopes from gocoupons.ca, $20 in Activia coupons (used some already), a FPC for a free box of triscuits and my mom sent me an envelope with a P&G insert, some stamps and some other great coupons. However, the best mail was by far 4 boxes of 24 K-cups from Timothy's World of Coffee. I entered a giveaway on their facebook page and me and about 500 other people got sent 96 K-cups for Keurig coffee machines-free! 2 boxes of decaf and 2 boxes of pumpkin spice. I don't have one of these machines, so i'll probably end up selling the boxes. I also got my modem from Telus which I was waiting for, so we have internet again.
As I mentioned, didn't get out much so I didn't buy a ton this week, but here are the deals I did get:
Save-On Foods:
3X Van Houtte Coffee 1 lb: reg $12.19, on sale $8.99X3 - 3X$8.00 stacks = $2.97 = .99 cents per bag
Ground Beef: $3.99 - FPC (with 2900 Save on More Points) = FREE
Total: $8.95 (Bought some bread/hotdog buns)
Coupons: $27.99
Savings : 76%
Walmart:
Tenderflake Easy Pie Crust: $3.47-FPC (Free Product Coupon) = FREE!
2 Pouches of M&Ms: reg $3.48 on sale $2.50 X 2 - 2 X $1.00 = $3.00 = $1.50 each
Activia Yogurt: $2.97 - $2.00 = $0.97
5lb Russet Potatoes = $1.97 (no coupon, just a good deal)
Michelina's Entree = on sale $1.00 - 50 cents = $0.50
Lean Cuisine = reg. $4.29, on sale $3.87 - FPC = FREE!
*Primo Pasta Sauce: on sale $1.00 X 12 cans = $12.00 (no coupons, excellent deal so I stocked up)
Total: $37.97
Coupons: $13.54
Savings : 26%
I also bought some other stuff this week, no coupons, couple jugs of milk, bread, steak and cake mix for my husband's birthday...the rest of my groceries for the week totaled: $42.48
Total Spent Week 3: $89.40
Total Coupons Week 3: $41.53
% Savings: 32%
Total Spent to Date: $304.15
Total Coupons to Date: $137.60
% savings to Date: 31%
Mail was good, considering. This week I got 2 coupon trains, 2 envelopes from gocoupons.ca, $20 in Activia coupons (used some already), a FPC for a free box of triscuits and my mom sent me an envelope with a P&G insert, some stamps and some other great coupons. However, the best mail was by far 4 boxes of 24 K-cups from Timothy's World of Coffee. I entered a giveaway on their facebook page and me and about 500 other people got sent 96 K-cups for Keurig coffee machines-free! 2 boxes of decaf and 2 boxes of pumpkin spice. I don't have one of these machines, so i'll probably end up selling the boxes. I also got my modem from Telus which I was waiting for, so we have internet again.
As I mentioned, didn't get out much so I didn't buy a ton this week, but here are the deals I did get:
Save-On Foods:
3X Van Houtte Coffee 1 lb: reg $12.19, on sale $8.99X3 - 3X$8.00 stacks = $2.97 = .99 cents per bag
Ground Beef: $3.99 - FPC (with 2900 Save on More Points) = FREE
Total: $8.95 (Bought some bread/hotdog buns)
Coupons: $27.99
Savings : 76%
Walmart:
Tenderflake Easy Pie Crust: $3.47-FPC (Free Product Coupon) = FREE!
2 Pouches of M&Ms: reg $3.48 on sale $2.50 X 2 - 2 X $1.00 = $3.00 = $1.50 each
Activia Yogurt: $2.97 - $2.00 = $0.97
5lb Russet Potatoes = $1.97 (no coupon, just a good deal)
Michelina's Entree = on sale $1.00 - 50 cents = $0.50
Lean Cuisine = reg. $4.29, on sale $3.87 - FPC = FREE!
*Primo Pasta Sauce: on sale $1.00 X 12 cans = $12.00 (no coupons, excellent deal so I stocked up)
Total: $37.97
Coupons: $13.54
Savings : 26%
I also bought some other stuff this week, no coupons, couple jugs of milk, bread, steak and cake mix for my husband's birthday...the rest of my groceries for the week totaled: $42.48
Total Spent Week 3: $89.40
Total Coupons Week 3: $41.53
% Savings: 32%
Total Spent to Date: $304.15
Total Coupons to Date: $137.60
% savings to Date: 31%
Friday 13 January 2012
Week 2: Jan 8-14
So here I am week 2...and still keeping track. Mail was AMAZING this week!!! Here's what I got: Kotex sample and $1.00 coupon, Michelina's 50 cent coupon (on for $1 next week at Walmart), 4 coupon trains, 2X$1.00 coupons from Johnson and Johnson, 2 envelopes with coupons from websaver, 1 envelope with coupons from save.ca, and all my FPCs (Free Product Coupons): Free Bistro Slider, 2XFree Healthy Choice Steamers, Free Lean Cuisine and Free Dr. Oetker 50 cal Mousse. Had some great deals this week, highlights include:
Shoppers:
Kashi Cereal: reg $5.49, on sale $3.99 X 2 - 2X$2 coupon = $3.98 = $1.99 per box
Nutrigrain Bars: reg $2.49, on sale $1.99 X 2 - 2X$1 coupons = $1.98 = .99 cent per box
Eggs: on sale $2.29X2 = $4.58 - $1 WUB 2 = $3.58 = $1.79 per dozen
Total: $15.58
Coupons: $7.00
Save On Foods:
Goldfish Grahams: reg. 3.49, on sale $2.00X4 - 4X1.50 stack = $2 for 4 packs = 50 cents per package
Green Giant Steamers: reg $2.69, on sale $1.00 (no coupons, purchased 10)
Total: 14.47
Coupons: $6.00
Superstore:
Oasis Juice: reg $3.99, on sale $2.97 - $1.00 coupon = $1.97
Childrens Tylenol: reg $7.99, on sale $5.96 X 2 - 2X$3.00 = $5.92 = $2.96 per box
Total: 16.21
Coupons: $8.75
Friday was the best savings. I was bored so I decided to go to Save On and stack some of my coupons that are expiring January 31st. I also went and used most of the FPCs I got this week... I spent $5.35 and saved $49.82...check it out:
4X Lean Cuisines: reg $4.29 - 4XFPCs = FREE = $17.16 savings
2X Van Houtte Coffee 1 lb: reg $12.19, on sale $8.99X2 - 2X$8.00 stacks = $1.98 = .99 cents per bag
Stoffers Bistro Sliders: reg $3.99 - 1XFPC = FREE = $3.99 savings
Healthy Choice Steamers: reg $4.99 - 2XFPCs = FREE = $9.98 savings
Dr. Oetker Mousse: reg $2.69, 1XFPC = FREE = $2.69 savings
Total: $5.43 (Bought some cottage cheese)
Coupons: $49.82
Savings : 90%
Total Spent Week 2: $51.69
Total Coupons Week 2: $71.57
% Savings: 58%
Total Spent to Date: $214.75
Total Coupons to Date: $96.07
% savings to Date: 31%
Shoppers:
Kashi Cereal: reg $5.49, on sale $3.99 X 2 - 2X$2 coupon = $3.98 = $1.99 per box
Nutrigrain Bars: reg $2.49, on sale $1.99 X 2 - 2X$1 coupons = $1.98 = .99 cent per box
Eggs: on sale $2.29X2 = $4.58 - $1 WUB 2 = $3.58 = $1.79 per dozen
Total: $15.58
Coupons: $7.00
Save On Foods:
Goldfish Grahams: reg. 3.49, on sale $2.00X4 - 4X1.50 stack = $2 for 4 packs = 50 cents per package
Green Giant Steamers: reg $2.69, on sale $1.00 (no coupons, purchased 10)
Total: 14.47
Coupons: $6.00
Superstore:
Oasis Juice: reg $3.99, on sale $2.97 - $1.00 coupon = $1.97
Childrens Tylenol: reg $7.99, on sale $5.96 X 2 - 2X$3.00 = $5.92 = $2.96 per box
Total: 16.21
Coupons: $8.75
Friday was the best savings. I was bored so I decided to go to Save On and stack some of my coupons that are expiring January 31st. I also went and used most of the FPCs I got this week... I spent $5.35 and saved $49.82...check it out:
4X Lean Cuisines: reg $4.29 - 4XFPCs = FREE = $17.16 savings
2X Van Houtte Coffee 1 lb: reg $12.19, on sale $8.99X2 - 2X$8.00 stacks = $1.98 = .99 cents per bag
Stoffers Bistro Sliders: reg $3.99 - 1XFPC = FREE = $3.99 savings
Healthy Choice Steamers: reg $4.99 - 2XFPCs = FREE = $9.98 savings
Dr. Oetker Mousse: reg $2.69, 1XFPC = FREE = $2.69 savings
Total: $5.43 (Bought some cottage cheese)
Coupons: $49.82
Savings : 90%
Total Spent Week 2: $51.69
Total Coupons Week 2: $71.57
% Savings: 58%
Total Spent to Date: $214.75
Total Coupons to Date: $96.07
% savings to Date: 31%
Thursday 5 January 2012
WEEK 1: Jan 1-7
So week 1 is coming to a close and i'm actually really enjoying keeping track of all my awesome deals. On Wednesday I ventured out to the Real Canadian Superstore (RCSS). I had a planned list, but also ended up picking up some other goodies that were on sale. Here's some of the highlights:
Stash Tea: on sale ($2.96)X2 - 2X75 cent off = $5.92-$1.50 = $4.42 ($2.21 each)
Kelloggs Vector Cereal: on sale ($3.97)X2 - 2X$2 off = $7.94-$4.00 = $3.94 ($1.97 each). If you bought 2 you could enter codes found inside for a free t-shirt. Can't wait to get it in the mail!
Cover Girl Mascara: on sale ($4.98)X3 - 3X$4.00 off = $2.94 ($0.98 each). This was a steal!! 98 cents for mascara!
I also bought my daughter 2 cute shirts. Superstore is clearing out all their kids clothing for $4.94. Together they would have costs me $18.00 and I bought them both for $9.88. That's a savings of 56%!
My total for groceries came to $29.23 and I used $18.50 in coupons. Saving 39% of my overall bill.
Mail has been great this week. I received 4 coupon trains, loaded with some awesome coupons that I can stack with some others. I feel a Save On Foods grocery run coming next week! I also received a free sample pack from Kotex with a $1.00 coupon, an envelope from gocoupons.ca, 4 envelopes with coupons from websaver.ca and this weeks newspapers contained coupon inserts from both Smartsource and Brandsaver. My neighbor lets me have his so that's 4 inserts of coupons (over $500 worth).
I pulled out some $2 off Cotonelle coupons from one of the trains and headed to Pharmasave. Toilet Paper was on sale for $2.99 for 6 double rolls/12 single rolls. Had 3 coupons so I used them all.
Cotonelle Toilet Paper: on sale ($2.99)X3 - 3X$2.00 = $2.97 (.99 each). I've never found toilet paper that cheap. So happy with this score! Savings of 67%
Today (Friday) we headed south of the border to Costco in Bellingham. I've been hearing that groceries are super cheap there so we went to see what deals we could find. They don't accept coupons, but its great for bulk items and things that there aren't coupons for (butter, baking supplies...etc). Here are some highlights:
Beer (24 case): $24.99 = 1.04 per bottle (Typically $24.00 for 12 bottles)
Organic Whole Wheat Flour (25 lbs): $13.49 (Typically $10.00 for 10lbs in Canada)
Lundberg Organic Non-GMO Brown Rice (12 lbs): $12.99 (Rice for the YEAR!)
Butter (4 lbs): $7.89 = $1.97 lb (Typically $3.99 lb in Canada)
Foster Farms Chicken Breasts:Organic all Natural, NO hormones (10 lb bag): $20.99
Cheese (2 lbs): $4.99
42 all Beef Frank Hotdogs: No artifical flavors, or nitrites- $12.95
Our total was $105.87. Plus we saved on the tax and paid NO duty at the border. Well worth the 1.25 hour drive. Bulk is better for some things!
Week 1 Grocery Total: $138.07
Week 1 Coupon Total: $24.50
Percentage Savings: 15%
Yearly Grocery Total: $138.07
Yearly Coupon Total: $24.50
Percentage Savings: 15%
Stash Tea: on sale ($2.96)X2 - 2X75 cent off = $5.92-$1.50 = $4.42 ($2.21 each)
Kelloggs Vector Cereal: on sale ($3.97)X2 - 2X$2 off = $7.94-$4.00 = $3.94 ($1.97 each). If you bought 2 you could enter codes found inside for a free t-shirt. Can't wait to get it in the mail!
Cover Girl Mascara: on sale ($4.98)X3 - 3X$4.00 off = $2.94 ($0.98 each). This was a steal!! 98 cents for mascara!
I also bought my daughter 2 cute shirts. Superstore is clearing out all their kids clothing for $4.94. Together they would have costs me $18.00 and I bought them both for $9.88. That's a savings of 56%!
My total for groceries came to $29.23 and I used $18.50 in coupons. Saving 39% of my overall bill.
Mail has been great this week. I received 4 coupon trains, loaded with some awesome coupons that I can stack with some others. I feel a Save On Foods grocery run coming next week! I also received a free sample pack from Kotex with a $1.00 coupon, an envelope from gocoupons.ca, 4 envelopes with coupons from websaver.ca and this weeks newspapers contained coupon inserts from both Smartsource and Brandsaver. My neighbor lets me have his so that's 4 inserts of coupons (over $500 worth).
I pulled out some $2 off Cotonelle coupons from one of the trains and headed to Pharmasave. Toilet Paper was on sale for $2.99 for 6 double rolls/12 single rolls. Had 3 coupons so I used them all.
Cotonelle Toilet Paper: on sale ($2.99)X3 - 3X$2.00 = $2.97 (.99 each). I've never found toilet paper that cheap. So happy with this score! Savings of 67%
Today (Friday) we headed south of the border to Costco in Bellingham. I've been hearing that groceries are super cheap there so we went to see what deals we could find. They don't accept coupons, but its great for bulk items and things that there aren't coupons for (butter, baking supplies...etc). Here are some highlights:
Beer (24 case): $24.99 = 1.04 per bottle (Typically $24.00 for 12 bottles)
Organic Whole Wheat Flour (25 lbs): $13.49 (Typically $10.00 for 10lbs in Canada)
Lundberg Organic Non-GMO Brown Rice (12 lbs): $12.99 (Rice for the YEAR!)
Butter (4 lbs): $7.89 = $1.97 lb (Typically $3.99 lb in Canada)
Foster Farms Chicken Breasts:Organic all Natural, NO hormones (10 lb bag): $20.99
Cheese (2 lbs): $4.99
42 all Beef Frank Hotdogs: No artifical flavors, or nitrites- $12.95
Our total was $105.87. Plus we saved on the tax and paid NO duty at the border. Well worth the 1.25 hour drive. Bulk is better for some things!
Week 1 Grocery Total: $138.07
Week 1 Coupon Total: $24.50
Percentage Savings: 15%
Yearly Grocery Total: $138.07
Yearly Coupon Total: $24.50
Percentage Savings: 15%
Sunday 1 January 2012
Free Table Anyone?
So the New Year started off with an amazing deal...a free coffee table (Dec 31, 2011). I was browsing on a FaceBook swap group for Chilliwack and someone had posted a free coffee table that had been in storage for a year. Regular $700 from Urban Barn. So I picked it up...her husband even delivered. Has a few scratches, which in my opinion add character to the espresso wood. I wiped it down used some Old English on it...it is unreal Beautiful!
Try looking for a FaceBook swap group in your area. I have found this is a great way to post stuff you are looking for or find great deals on items you may otherwise not be able to afford.
Try looking for a FaceBook swap group in your area. I have found this is a great way to post stuff you are looking for or find great deals on items you may otherwise not be able to afford.
A New Year...
As part of a new year one of my resolutions was to start a blog. For those of you who don't know me. I'm a wife and mother of 1 who just moved to Chilliwack, BC.
Here's a little background: The last year has been crazy stressful for our family. Our daughter was born in March and we thought the year would be full of fun times watching her grow, taking her to the beach, vacationing, walks...etc. All that was put to a hault in August when my husband was laid off suddenly from his job. With me being on maternity leave our income suddenly went from very comfortable to only $1200 a month. Hard to pay rent and all our bills on that. So what did I do...I did what any money saving mother would do...I turned to coupons. I had dabbled a bit just after our daughter was born and was getting quite good at stacking Pampers diaper coupons at London Drugs; getting them for free since she was born. So I figured that if I was that good with the baby items, why couldn't I get that good with food and household items too?
Over the last 6 months I have gotten off to a great start using coupons to save my family hundreds of dollars on groceries, cleaning supplies, baby items and household items. Every week I go through store flyers, price match with competitors and look for the best deals and what coupons I have to combine with the offers. The result...saving at least 20-25% every shopping trip. My goal this year is to get better than that, saving at least 50-75% on every trip to the grocery store and save a total of $5000. Coupons are FREE MONEY, so use them!
I'll be keeping track of my savings on here, telling you where I get my coupons and also posting on how I do it and great deals of the week so that you can go out and save just as much money as I do. Let the Year Begin!
Here's a little background: The last year has been crazy stressful for our family. Our daughter was born in March and we thought the year would be full of fun times watching her grow, taking her to the beach, vacationing, walks...etc. All that was put to a hault in August when my husband was laid off suddenly from his job. With me being on maternity leave our income suddenly went from very comfortable to only $1200 a month. Hard to pay rent and all our bills on that. So what did I do...I did what any money saving mother would do...I turned to coupons. I had dabbled a bit just after our daughter was born and was getting quite good at stacking Pampers diaper coupons at London Drugs; getting them for free since she was born. So I figured that if I was that good with the baby items, why couldn't I get that good with food and household items too?
Over the last 6 months I have gotten off to a great start using coupons to save my family hundreds of dollars on groceries, cleaning supplies, baby items and household items. Every week I go through store flyers, price match with competitors and look for the best deals and what coupons I have to combine with the offers. The result...saving at least 20-25% every shopping trip. My goal this year is to get better than that, saving at least 50-75% on every trip to the grocery store and save a total of $5000. Coupons are FREE MONEY, so use them!
I'll be keeping track of my savings on here, telling you where I get my coupons and also posting on how I do it and great deals of the week so that you can go out and save just as much money as I do. Let the Year Begin!
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