Weeks 51 & 52 - Goodbye 2012!

WOW! hard to believe i've been doing this for a full year. It makes me think where the heck did this year go!?!?!?

The holidays were a whirlwind and as we now settle back in to routine I am ready to post my final deals of 2012:

Superstore:

Dove Hair Serum: $3.97 - FPC = FREE!
Popeye baby Spinach: $2.98 - 50% off = $1.49 (saved $1.49)
Oasis Juice: $2.97X2 = $5.94 - 2X$0.75 = $4.44 = $2.22 each! (saved $1.50)
Almond Milk: $3.97 - FPC + $2 off = $1.97 (saved $5.97)
Barilla Whole Grain Pasta: $1.99 - $0.75 = $1.24 (saved $0.75)
Catelli Macaroni: $2.17 - $1.00 = $1.17 (saved $1.00)
Crisco Shortening: $2.77X2 = $5.54 - 2X$1.00 = $3.54 = $1.77 each! (saved $2.00)
Frosted Flakes: $3.33 - FPC = FREE! (saved $3.33)
Minigo Yogurt: $2.49 - $0.50 = $1.99 (saved $0.50)
Oasis Orange Juice Jug 2.3L = $5.54 - $1.50 = $4.04 (saved $1.50)
Pataks Pineapple/Coconut Sauce = $4.19 - $1.00 = $3.19 (saved $1.00)
Resolve Spray and Wash = $2.00X2 = $4.00 - 2X$2.00 = FREE! (saved $4.00)
Tenderflake Pie Shell: $2.49 - $1.00 = $1.49 (saved $1.00)
Bolthouse Smoothie: $2.48X2 = $4.96 - 2X$1.00 = $1.48 each! (saved $2.00)

Total Spent Week 51 & 52: $181.76
Total Coupons Week 51 & 52: $30.01
% Savings: 14%

Total Spent FOR THE YEAR: $5524.32 = $106.24 per week!
Total Coupons FOR THE YEAR: $2354.39 = $45.28 per week!
% savings FOR THE YEAR: 30%

Weeks 48, 49 and 50: Nov 25-Dec 15th

Rolling 3 weeks into 1...I didn't realize it had been so long until I looked at my stack of receipts. Yikes!

With only 2 more weeks left to go, this will be my last blog before Christmas. I scored some great deals this week and used a wack of coupons that are about to expire. This time of year is a rush for couponers as most coupons expire Dec 31st and everyone tries to use up as many as they can and find some crazy awesome deals before we garbage them. Here's what I have scored over the last 3 weeks:

Safeway:

Royale Toilet Paper (24 pack) : reg. $12.24, on sale. $3.99X2 = $7.98 - 2X$1.00 = $5.98 = $2.99 each!

Total: $10.17
Coupons: $2.00
Savings: 16%

Lepp's Farm Market:

Total: $103.89
Coupons: $4.40
Savings: 4%

Superstore:

Clorox Stain Remover: $3.97 - FPC = FREE!
Breton Crackers: $2.46X2 = $4.92 - 2X$1.00 = $1.46 each!
Honey Bunches of Oats: $3.99 - $1.00 = $2.99
Iogo Yogurt: $1.17 - $1.00 = $0.17 cents
Minigo Yogurt: $3.29 - $0.50 = $2.79
Mini Wheats Lil Bites: $3.99X2 = $7.98 - 2X$1.00 = $5.98 = $2.99 each
Great Grains Cereal: $3.98 - $1.00 = $2.98
Rice Krispies: $3.99 - $1.00 = $2.99
Oragel Kids Tooth paste: $3.49 -$1.00 = $2.49
Vileda Scrunge: $1.99X2 = $3.98 - 2X$2 = +0.02 cents!
BlackDiamond Cheese: $4.97 - $0.75 = $4.22
Peak Freens Cookies: $2.96X4 = $11.84 - 2XBOGO = $5.92 = $1.48 each!
Hellmann's Mayo: $3.96X2 = $7.92 - 2X$1.00 = $5.92 = $2.96 each
Kellogg's Vector Cereal: $3.33X2 = $6.66 - 2X$2 = $2.66 = $1.33 each!
Liberte Yogurt: $3.97 - FPC = FREE!
Oasis Juice Boxes: $1.47X3 = $4.41 - BOGO + .75 cents = $2.19 = $0.73 cents each!

Total: $82.11
Coupons: $36.33
Savings: 31%

Walmart:

Barilla Noodles: $1.27X3 = $3.81 - 3X0.75 = $1.56 = $0.52 cents each
Patak's Cooking Sauce: $4.97 - $1.00 = $3.97
Breton Crackers: $1.67 - $1.00 = $0.67 cents!
Toothpaste: $1.00X3 - $3.50 coupons = +$0.50 cents
Dove Mousse: $4.77 - FPC = FREE!
Activia Yogurt: $3.97X2 = $7.94 - 2X$1.00 = $5.94 = $2.97 each
Villagio Bread: $3.23 - $1.50 = $1.73
Corn Pops: $2.97 - $0.75 = $2.22
DaninoX3 = $8.91 - $3.00 = $5.91 = $1.97 each!
Black Diamond Cheese: $6.37 - $0.75 = $5.62
Pistashios: $2.77X2 = $5.54 - 2X$1.00 = $3.54 = $1.77 each
Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Spray: $3.00X4 = $12.00 - 4X$1.50 = $6.00 = $1.50 each!

Total: $67.24
Coupons: $30.71
Savings: 32%

Farm Eggs: $3
Appetizer Order: $49
Epicure: $40.94
AgroPur: $11.92

Total Spent Week 48, 49, 50: $368.27
Total Coupons Week 48, 49, 50: $73.44
% Savings: 17%

Total Spent to Date: $5342.56 = $106.85 per week!
Total Coupons to Date: $2324.38 = $46.50 per week!
% savings to Date: 30%

Weeks 45,46 and 47: Nov 4-24

I have been so ridiculously busy these last few weeks that I haven't once gotten a moment to myself to update my blog. Ridiculous I know:

Total Groceries for weeks 45 and 46: $243.79
Total Coupons for weeks 45 and 46: $56.97

Best Deals:

Crispy Minis: on sale. $1.00X2 = $2.00
Clover Leaf Tuna: on sale. $1.27X2 = $2.54 - $1.00X2 = $0.54 = $0.27
Iogo Drinkable Yogurt: 6X1.27 = $7.62 - $5.75 in coupons = $1.87 = $0.31 each
Premium Plus Crackers: $2.97 - $0.75 = $2.22
Tuna Snack: $1.98X4 = $7.92 - BOGO = $3.96 for 4 = $0.99 each!

Groceries for week 47 (Superstore):

Campbell's Chunky Soups: on sale. $1.48X6 = $8.88
Iogo Drinkable: $1.17 - $1.75 coupons: +.58cents
Hot Rods: 4@5.16 - $3.00 = $2.16 = $0.54cents each
Liberte Yogurt: $3.49X2 = $6.98 - 2XFPCs = FREE!
Oasis Orange Juice: $4.96 - $1.50 = $3.46
Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner: $2.98 - $1.50 = $1.48
Tenderflake Pie Shell: $2.98 - $1.00 = $1.98
Country Harvest Bread: $3.87 - $0.75 = $3.12
Sockeye Salmon: 2 for $8.39 - 30% ($2.52) = $5.87
Schneiders Natural Bacon: $3.48X2 = $6.96
Bolthouse Smoothies: $3.00X2 = $6.00 - 2X$1.00 = $4.00 for 2 = $2.00 each

Total Spent Week 47: $99.92
Total Coupons Week 47: $22.00
% Savings: 18%

Total Spent to Date: $4974.29 = $105.84!
Total Coupons to Date: $2250.94 = $47.89 per week!
% savings to Date: 31%

($225.71 left to spend in 5 weeks)

Week 44: Oct 28-Nov 3

This week was a sad week for couponers. Save On Foods finally changed their stacking policy so you can no longer stack coupons that say "limit one coupon per purchase". This phrase is on almost every coupon out there. Frankly i'm not surprised. I hardly stack coupons anymore and have found more in-store deals lately than ever. If you know me I don't purchase items just because I have a coupon for them, i'm very picky what I buy and try to eat very healthy. For this reason our family is still a bit affected by this new policy, but not nearly as much as those that rely strictly on getting things dirt cheap.

On a happier note I have been busy baking and freezing pumpkin this week. Pumpkin is a serious staple in our house. Last year we had just moved and didn't have time to bake and freeze any and we ran out in January. 10 months without pumpkin was just brutal. We have pumpkin at least once a week, which means I like to freeze around 50-60X4 cup bags for the year. Pumpkin Soup is one of our favorite things to make and costs me around $2 a crockpot (the pumpkin is free!). Since it typically lasts for dinner and lunch the next day we get 2 meals out of it, costing us under $1 a meal. This is definitely one way to save on groceries and get a healthy meal that you don't even have to budget for.

As we round the corner towards Christmas (only 7 weeks away!) here are the deals I scored this week:

Save On Foods:

Danino: $3.49X2 = $6.98 - 2X$1.00 = $4.98 = $2.49 each
Iogo Yogurt: $3.99 - $3.25 stack = $0.74 cents!
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent: reg. $19.99, on sale $17.99X3 = $53.97 - $33.00 stack = $20.97 = $6.99 each (This will do me for the entire next year!)

Total: $40.98
Coupons: $38.25
Savings: 48%

Superstore:

Hellmann's Mayo: $3.96X2 = $7.92 - 2X$1.00 = $5.92 = $2.96
Liberte Greek Yogurt (4 pack): $1.94X4 = $7.76 - 4X$1.00 = $3.76 = $0.94 cents each!

Total: $59.27
Coupons: $8.00
Savings: 12%

Other groceries: $22.73

Total Spent Week 44: $122.98
Total Coupons Week 44: $46.25
% Savings: 27%

Total Spent to Date: $4630.58 = $105.24!
Total Coupons to Date: $2171.97 = $49.36 per week!
% savings to Date: 32%

($569.42 left to spend in 8 weeks) - It's going to be tight! 

Week 42 & 43: October 14-27

So i'm actually done all my shopping for this week already. We did a Costco run and then got some produce and deli meat. Spent way over my 2 week budget, but it was our last Costco run until January, so we shouldn't be going over our budget again any time soon. Here are some of the deals:

The best deal of the week was by far the Cadbury Chocolate Bars at Save On Foods. If you managed to score the in-store tearpad (save $5 WUB 5 Kraft products) you would have gotten these full size chocolate bars for $0.25 cents a piece + tax, as they were on sale for $1.25 each and included in the promotion. Another great deal and NO manufacturer coupons were needed.

Save On Foods:

Cadbury Chocolate Bars: 40X$1.25 = $50 - 8X$5 = $10
Honey Nut Cherrios (Family Size): $5 - $1 = $4.00
Silk True Almond Milk: $3.99 - $2.00 = $1.99
Pizza Pockets: reg. $7.99, on sale $3.99X3 - 3X$1.00 = $8.97
Schneider Lunchmate: $3.29 - FPC = FREE!

Total: $14.96
Coupons: $46.29
Savings: 76%

Walmart:

Finish: $4.96X4 - 4X$2.00 = $11.84
POM Juice: on sale. $1.00X2 -2X$0.50 = $0.50 each!
Danino: $2.97X2 - 2X$1.00 = $1.97 each!
Organic Girl Salad: $4.97 - FPC = FREE
Marc Angelo Turkey Sausages: (reduced due to expiry date: $2.78X2 - 2X$1.00 = $1.78 each!
Minigo: on sale. $2.00X2 - 2X$0.50 = $1.50 each!

Total: $77.21
Coupons: $20.97
Savings: 21%

Other:

IGA: $12.07
AgroPur (Deli Meat): $7.93
Epicure Order: $43.09
Costco: $143.56

Total Spent Week 42&43: $298.82
Total Coupons Week 42&43: $67.26
% Savings: 18%

Total Spent to Date: $4507.60 = $104.83 per week!
Total Coupons to Date: $2125.72 = $50.61 per week!
% savings to Date: 32%

Week 41: October 7-13 ($2000 in coupon savings!)

Well its 10 weeks will Christmas and 12 weeks till the end of the year. I finally reached $2000 in coupon savings...my goal was to spend no more than $5200 on groceries and save around $2500 using coupons...and by looking at the numbers I think in the next 2.5 months I can definitely reach that goal.

I had an amazing Thanksgiving weekend, we hosted and invited my parents and in-laws and my brother and his girlfriend came as well. It was nice to cook and spend time with everyone and share a meal. The turkey was huge so I have been busy this week in the kitchen making turkey soup and freezing it. We'll be eating lots of soup this winter which is hearty, healthy and cheap!

This week proved to be EXCEPTIONAL for deals. Scroll down to see what I got!

Superstore:

Cloverleaf Flavored Tuna (Large Cans): $2.49X2 = $4.98 - 2X$1 manu & 2X$1 coupon wall = $0.98 cents = $0.49 cents each!
Silk Almond Milk: $3.97 - $2.00 = $1.97
Amooza Cheese Twists: FPC from Kraftsampilicious =FREE! (Saved $7)
Cracker Barrel Montery Jack Cheese: FPC from Kraft Sampilicious = FREE! (Saved $12)
Phili Cream Cheese: $3.49
Lil Ones Yogurt: $5.09 - 75 cents = $4.34
Oasis Orange Juice Jug: $5.97 - $1.50 = $4.47
Muffins: 50% off due to expiry date = $2.65
Bananas, Lettuce, 2 pkgs of Mini Cucs = $7.47

Total: $25.62
Coupons: $29.90
Savings: 54%

Perhaps the biggest savings of the week was once again due to overlapping sales at Save On Foods. Not only did they have a sale on Quaker Chewy Bars for $2 a box, but they sent all cardholders a coupon for $1.50 off per box; making the boxes $0.50. They ALSO had an in-store promotion where if you bought 3 Quaker products you could get a free 1.75L of TROP50 Juice FREE. 3 boxes of granola bars and FREE juice all for $1.50. Here's what I got:

Hershey's Drops: reg $4.29, on sale $2.99X4 = $11.96 - 4X$2 = $3.96 = $0.99 cents per bag!
Quaker Chewy Bars: reg. $3.29, on sale $2X32 = $64 - 32X$1.50 = $16
Trop50 Juice: reg. $5.29X10 = $52.50 - (FREE WUB 3 Quaker) = 10 FREE JUGS!
Bread: reg. $4.29, on sale $3.00X2 = $6.00
Milk: FREE with 3100 points
Almond Milk: $4.99X2 = $9.98 - $4.50 stack = $5,48 = $2.74 each
Almond Milk 2 Go: FREE WUB Almond Milk = 2 FREE PKGS! (Saved $6.98)

Total: $42.41
Coupons: $124.63
Savings: 75% (Does not include in-store sales)

Total Spent Week 41: $68.03
Total Coupons Week 41: $154.53
% Savings: 69%

Total Spent to Date: $4208.78 = $102.65 per week
Total Coupons to Date: $2058.46
% savings to Date: 33%

Weeks 39 & 40: Sept 23-Oct 6

So I have definitely been slacking on the blogging front these days. Not feeling very well these past few weeks. My pile of receipts has been growing rapidly so I figured I better sort through them and get on here before I forget and leave something out.

Mail has been great lately. Lots of samples, my Kraft Sampilicious package and quite a few trains. Mail tends to slow after Thanksgiving as we round the corner and head into Christmas, so I am very glad to be getting lots of mail these days.

Here's a breakdown of what I have spent the last few weeks:

IGA:

Kraft Parmasean Cheese: FPC from Kraft Sampilicious = FREE! ($8.00 value)
Philadelphia Cooking Creme: FPC from Kraft Sampilicious = FREE! ($6.00 value)

Total: $14.72
Coupons: $14.00
Savings: 49%

Walmart:

Sour Cream: $1.00 (no coupon, but good deal)
Black Diamond Cheese Bar (500g): $6.37 - $0.75 = $5.62
Whole Chicken (2 pk): $16.00
Newman's Own Pasta Sauce: $2.00 (on rollback)X 9 = $18.00 - $1.00X9 = $9.00 - $1.00 per jar!

Total: $60.89
Coupons: $9.00
Savings: 13%

Save-On Foods:

Aero Bubbles Chocolate: reg. $3.99, on sale. $2.99X2 = $5.98 - 2X$1.00 = $3.98 = $1.99 per bag!
Earths Own 2-Go Almond Milk: reg. $3.49, on sale. $3.00X2 = $6.00 - 2X$1.00 = $4.00 = $2.00 per!
Honey Garlic Chicken Chunkies: reg. $14.49, on sale $9.99 - $8.00 stack = $1.99 for the box!
Kraft Shredded Cheese: FPC from Kraft Sampilicious = FREE! ($10.00 value)
Oasis 2L Juice Container: reg. $5.49, on sale. $3.00X7 = 21.00 - 7X$2.00 stacks = $7.00 = $1.00 per!
Cracker Barrel Cheese Slices: FPC from Kraft Sampilicious = FREE! ($8.00 value)

Total: $26.02
Coupons: $39.90
Savings: 61%

Superstore:

Catelli Smart Pasta: $1.97X2 = $3.94 - 2X$1.00 = $1.94 = $0.97 cents per box!
Minigo Yogurt (6 pack): $3.29X2 = $6.58 - 2X$0.50 = $5.58 = $2.79 each!
Olympic All Natural Organic Yogurt: 2/$3.99 - 2X$0.75 = $2.49 = $1.25 each!
Cranberries: $0.98 cents per bag! (Great price)
Gillette Clinical Deodorant: $8.99 - $2.00 = $6.99

Total: $90.97
Coupons: $6.50
Savings: 7%

Other groceries: $60.56 (Corn and Deli Meat and Veggies)

Total Spent Week 39&40: $253.16
Total Coupons Week 39&40: $69.40
% Savings: 22%

Total Spent to Date: $4140.75 -$103.52 per week
Total Coupons to Date: $1,903.93
% savings to Date: 32%

Weeks 37&38: Sept 9-22

Too busy to blog these past few weeks....good thing I haven't bought a lot of groceries or I would have a lot of receipts to go thru.

Here's what I scored the last 2 weeks:

Save On Foods:

Live Clean Baby: $6.99X4 = $27.96 - 2X$13.00 stacks = $1.96 for 4 bottles! = $0.49 cents per bottle
Havarti Cheese: $4.57 - $4.25 stack = $0.32 cents!
Iogo 16 pack Dessert Yogurt: reg. $8.99, on sale $7.99 - $1.50 = $6.49

Total: $9.80
Coupons: $31.75
Savings: 76%

Shopper Drug Mart:

Danino Yogurt: $2X4 = $8 - 4X$1 = $4 = $1 per 6 pack
Catelli Pasta: $2 X2 = $4 (no coupon, good deal)

Total: $8.00
Coupons: $4.00
Savings: 33%

Superstore:

Almond Milk: $3.97-$2.00 = $1.97
Oasis Orange Juice: $5.97 - $1.50 = $4.47
Pop Chips: $2.79 - FPC = FREE!
Tylenol: $4.97X2 = $9.94 - 2X$3 = $3.94 = $1.97 per box!

Total: $34.09
Coupons: $21.29
Savings: 38%

Other groceries: $16.41

Total Spent Week 37&38: $68.30 ($34 per week over the last few weeks! Yahoo that is cheap!)
Total Coupons Week 37&38: $57.04
% Savings: 46%

Total Spent to Date: $3887.59 (average of $102.31 per week)
Total Coupons to Date: $1,834.53 (average of $48 in coupons per week)
% savings to Date: 32%

Week 36: Sept 2-8 (16 weeks to go!)

Relatively quiet week on the couponing front. Some great deals and a Costco run to add to my totals. Here's what I got:

Shoppers Drug Mart:

Goldseal Tuna: on sale $0.99 X 10 = $9.90

Total: $9.90
Coupons: $0
Savings: 0%

Save On Foods:

Adams Peanut Butter: reg. $5.39, on sale $3.50 X 2 = $7.00
Black Diamond Cheesestrings (16 pk): reg. $8.83, on sale. $4.99X2 = $9.98 - 2X$2.24 stacks = $5.48 =$2.74 each

Total: $12.48
Coupons: $4.50
Savings: 27%

Walmart:

Goldfish: on sale. $2X2 = $4
Mini Wheats: on sale. $2.88X2 = $5.76 - 2X$1.00 = $3.76 = $1.88 per box

Total: $45.20
Coupons: $2.50
Savings: 5%

Superstore:

Mini Wheats: $2.88X3 = $8.64 - 3X$1.00 - $3 Coupon Zone = $2.64 = $0.88 per box!!
Chocolate Almond Milk: $3.87 - $2 = $1.87
Astro Super Fruits Yogurt (12pk) = $6.49 - $1.00 = $5.49
Hellmanns Mayo: $3.97 - $1.00 = $2.97
Minigo Yogurt: $3.29X2 = $6.58 - $1.00 = $5.58 = $2.79 each
Strawberries: $3.88 - FPC ($3.00 max) = $0.88

Total: $43.05
Coupons: $14.00
Savings: 25%

Costco: $129.14

Total Spent Week 36: $238.77
Total Coupons Week 36: $21.00
% Savings: 8%

Total Spent to Date: $3819.29 (average $106.09 per week)
Total Coupons to Date: $1,777.49 (average $49 in coupons per week)
% savings to Date: 32%

Week 35: August 26-September 1

So I spoke too soon last week...our salmon has been ordered but who knows when we are actually getting it?! The sockeye run will not be opened for recreational fishing this year due to low stocks, so i'm not even sure if we will be getting the fish we were promised..meanwhile we are out $90, so I am praying that either the fish show up or we get our $90 back.

Some good deals this week, LOTS of GREAT deals this upcoming week. Good thing its a long weekend and back to school...I will be doing some exceptionally larger shops at SOF and Walmart.

This week's deals:

Save-On Foods:

Van Houtte Coffee: reg. $11.49, on sale. $8.99X6 = $53.94 - 6X$7 stacks = $11.94 = $1.99 per 1lb bag
Elastoplast Bandages (40 pack): reg. $5.49, on sale $4.49 - $4.00 stack - $0.49 cents!

Total: $12.43
Coupons: $46.00
Savings: 79%

Walmart:

U by Kotex: $3.47 - $1.00 = $2.47
Live Clean Professional Shampoo/Conditioner: $7.96X2 - $2.50WUB2 = $13.42 = $6.71 each!
Old El Paso Taco Kit: $3.47X2 = $6.94 - 2XFPC = FREE (Each box also came with $4 off Hamburger WUB another Old El Paso Taco Kit!)
Mini Wheats: $2.88X2 = $5.76 - 2X$1.00 = $3.76 = $1.88 per box!
Oasis Juice: $2.48X4 = $9.92 - 3X$0.75 = $6.92 = $1.73 per 2L carton!
BD 700 g Cheese Bar: $6.47 - $0.75 = $5.72!
Cascade Paper Towel (6 pack): $4.47X2 = $8.94 - 2X$1.00 = $6.94 = $3.47 each
Dempsters Bread: $3.00X2 = $6.00 - $1.00WUB2 = $5.00 = $2.50 per loaf!

Total: $72.51
Coupons: $18.19
Savings: 20%

Total Spent Week 35: $84.94
Total Coupons Week 35: $64.19
% Savings: 43%

Total Spent to Date: $3580.52 (This includes - $90 from the salmon as we have not yet received it)
Total Coupons to Date: $1,756.49
% savings to Date: 33%