Put Me In Coach....

I'm adopting the phrase, "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play..." as one of my new sayings. I really hate making resolutions, since I usually break them within the first month. :( I have only kept one and I am proud to say that I have gone 15 years without drinking soda. I honestly don't miss it...but anyway...back to my point.

As you know, the economy tanked out about the time we were finishing up our adoption (not to mention the extra expenses added onto our CRAZY adoption). It was a horrible time to be a stay at home mom, but it was a VERY important decision to help with Caroline's adjustment into our family and we were financially able to do this. As a way of saving money, I began clipping coupons. Little did I know how our lives were going to change with this new 'hobby'. We were paying VERY LITTLE for our groceries and were eating filet mignon at least once a week! As time went on, the 'free' newspapers started dwindling and my patience/energy started going down too. Clipping coupons became a HUGE chore since I was obsessed with it!! I kinda just stopped....yes, it was sad! I was still mindful of what I purchased but wasn't saving the obscene amounts of money like in the past.

Now that I am back to work, I can't even remember the last time I bought a paper. Finances are tighter and extra time is nonexistent. So, I decided my "Put Me In Coach..." moment will be to begin clipping coupons AGAIN. I bought two papers on Sunday and will start out slow and easy. I DO NOT have the time to run all over the place for the best deals. My stockpile will not be trophy-worthy, but I WILL start saving money again. I have even planned my grocery lists for this week and next week at Publix. As usual, I am VERY excited to see how much money just a few coupons can save me. It's about time to get back in the game...

I wish that I could stay accountable to this by taking pictures of my purchases/deals once again, but TIME is of the essence and I have NO extra time. I'm still having a difficult time balancing my work/home/Caroline/tennis and I just don't think I could do that. I'll see what I can manage to come up with since accountability is VERY important. Stay tuned and let's see how many 'points' I'll be able to score.

The Knox Life is coming to an end...

My life of living in the land of Knox is coming to an end very soon. They expire on March 9th, so I headed to Publix to use some. I still have 13 left, and they will be gone probably tomorrow. The unfortunate thing is that this week's sale at Publix is a bummer.

Transaction Details:
12- Knox $1.39 ea (12- $4.00 MQ)= Free+++
1- Publix Bread $1.25 ($2.00 MQ wyb Kraft singles)= Free+
4- Kraft Shredded Cheese $1.66 ea (2- $2/2 MQ and 1-$1.00 Target Q)
1- Kraft Singles $2.00 ea (1- $1.00 Target Q)
1- Quilted Northern $5.99 (1- $1.00 MQ)
2- Pillsbury Savorings $1.90 ea (1- $1.00/2 MQ)
1- Tyson Entree $4.00 (1- $1.00 MQ and $2.00 PQ)
1- Hawaiian Bread 4 pack $.99 (Free wyb Tyson Entree MQ)
1- Purpose Facial Cleanser $5.59 (1- $2.00 MQ)
1- Publix Bacon $3.00
1- Dasani Water $4.99
1- Milk $2.28
1- Half and Half $1.75
1- Heavy Whipping Cream $2.45
1- Vinegar $.85
1- Duke's Light Mayo $1.78
1- Strawberry $1.66
1- Capers $1.49
1- Bell Pepper $2.63
Plum Tomato $1.33

Total: $93.14
Total OOP: $4.72

Helping Out Our Neighbors with Coupons

Since I have been couponing, I have racked up quite the stash of vitamins and Bayer Glucose Monitors. As a matter of fact, they are 'breeding' in my guest bedroom closet. These are items that I have 'bought' because they gave me overage to pay for my real groceries. But, what do you do when you have so many vitamins and Bayer monitors that you don't know what to do with them? I have been feeling very guilty for having so much stuff and not using them. It's wasteful, greedy, and not to mention taking up space.

I already donate my extra food to the local food pantry Helping In His Name, but have not been able to find a place to donate medical supplies... Until now!

Hands of Hope is in our 'backyard', located at the Henry County Medical Center. They provide free medical care to the low income and uninsured residents of Henry County. I called them this week to ask if they could use the glucose monitors and vitamins. The receptionist was very sweet and very grateful. I had Tim drop them off for me since I was at school all week. He had 50 monitors and 5 bags full of vitamins. He said they were so 'taken back' by the generosity and couldn't believe that someone thought of them.

I was very proud that I could do something to help. I coupon because it helps my family, so I was glad that my couponing skills were helping others. These people are OUR neighbors and with the state of the economy, these people could be someone you KNOW.

I would like to challenge everyone who reads my blog and coupons to take that extra step. Don't just simply get rid of your extras, make sure you are donating them to a place that uses them. For instance, instead of taking your extra shampoo/nail clippers/body wash to Goodwill or throwing them away, take them to the Food Pantry. Did you know that if you are on food stamps, you're not able to use the food stamps to buy toiletry items? Again, with the state of our economy, why not donate these items to people who are in need.

My plan is to put together a box/bag of items that will be donated at the end of each month. Do I know what will be in the bag? Of course not. If I'm buying 'three' items, I'll buy 'four' and put the fourth in the bag. I will also make an extra effort to shop at CVS more. Almost every week, you are able to get 'free' toothpaste/toothbrushes/shampoo/bodywash, etc..., so why not take the extra ten minutes to do this? Since I have stopped working, I'm not able to write checks each month to donate, but I can use my resources and thriftiness to still do my part. Will you?

It's a Hard KNOX life....

I am LOVING the $4.00 Knox coupon that was in the paper a few weeks ago! It is really helping me keep my grocery spending to a minimum and has been instrumental in helping me buy teacher appreciation items. BUT, I went today and saw a sign posted that said, "We are no longer accepting this coupon for any other item besides the item pictured. Thanks, Mgmt" WHAT!!!!

The coupon wording CLEARLY states "ANY KNOX PRODUCT"! So, I came home and typed up a complaint to Publix headquarters. We shall see what they say and I'll be sure to report back to you.

FREE Cheese Nips at WalMart

Currently WalMart has the Nabisco Cheese Nips priced at $1.00. In the 1/24 SS, there is a $1.00/1 MQ (manufacturer coupon) for any Nabisco cracker product. What does this mean? FREE Cheese Nips!!!! I have it on very good authority from my teenage niece that these ARE THE BEST. ;)

I strongly 'dislike' going into WalMart, but I ventured in there today and came home with 17 boxes of Cheese Nips for $.52! Yay! I am donating 15 of them to Caroline's preschool for teacher appreciation week and giving Savannah the other two.

FREE Rotel!

This week at Kroger, they are having their Mega Event Sale. I LOVE this sale, but since Publix has stolen back my heart with the Knox Coupons, I will only shop at Kroger for the FREE stuff. Also, we are in dip mode around here (hey, it's close to the Superbowl) and we love Rotel Cheese Dip, but it can get very expensive with the rotel and velveeta.

Good news....Rotel is FREE this week at Kroger. It supposedly is around 39 cents, so use the $.30 MQ from this past Sunday's SmartSource (SS) and get FREE rotel! I will be MAJORLY stockpiling this little gem as it is very versatile. It also goes great in Chili! I will post another dip recipe using Rotel and Cream Cheese later this week. By the way, use the $1.00 MQ on Philly Cream Cheese and get it FREE this week at Kroger! Now, we are talking!!!!

Publix Shop This Week

Like I have said before, I am trying to get back to my extreme couponing. I slightly forgot all the hard work, time consuming efforts, and stress that goes into planning a Publix Shop. Wow!

I loaded up buggy and very carefully scoped out the cashier situation. I decided on a very tall, young boy (think football linebacker) and began unloading my goodies. As soon as I began handing him my coupons, I realized that I didn't do a good job in 'cashier profiling'. He was extremely uncomfortable and nervous. He read every word on the first few coupons and then meticulously inspected the rest. I wasn't worried because I knew my coupons were fine (but I was hoping he couldn't do basic math in his head and realize that some of my Publix coupons would produce overage). I handed over my last coupon (Walgreen's Register Reward) and he politely excused himself and a handful of my coupons. I knew where he was going...manager intervention/help. After about 10 minutes, he came back (yes, my line is VERY backed up and I'm doing my best to keep my composure and carry on a conversation with some VERY irritated women) and told me he couldn't take my RR and my Rite Aid Competitor Q, so make a choice. Since they were both $5, I chose the RR because it was expiring that day. Oh well, you win some and you lose some. :)

Transaction Details:

8- Aleve Caplets $1.97 ea- (4- $5.00/2 PQ)= Free+++

10- Knox Gelatin $1.39 ea- (10- $4.00/1 MQ)= Free+++

3- Benevia $8.49 ea- (3- $4.00 PQ and 3- $5.00 MQ)= Free++

2- Sundown Vitamins $3.29 ea- (1- $6.00/2 PQ and 1- $3.00/2 MQ)= Free++

12- Jolly Time Popcorn $1.00 ea- (12- $.50 MQ doubled)= Free

2- Eggland's Best Egg $2.00 ea- (1- $.50 MQ doubled and 1- BOGO MQ)=$1.50

1- Texas Toast $1.65 ea- (1- $.50 MQ doubled)= $.65

1- Dove Caramel Candy $2.15 ea- (1- $1.00 Target Q)= $1.15

2- Kraft Dressing $1.60 ea- (1- $1.50/2 MQ)= $1.69

2- Frank's Red Hot Sauce $1.50 ea- (1- $1.00/2 MQ)= $2.00

2- Swanson's Chicken $1.50 ea- (1- $.50 MQ doubled)= $2.00

2- Krusteaz Muffin Mix $1.30 ea- (1- $1.00/2 MQ)= $1.60

2- Krusteaz Crumb Cake Mix $1.30 ea- (1- $1.00/2 MQ)= $1.60

2- Chi Chi Salsa $2.00 ea- (1- $1.00/2 MQ)= $3.00

4- Ritz Crackers $1.54 ea- (2- $2.00/2 MQ)= $2.18

1- ThermaCare $6.99 ea- (1- $3.00 PQ and 1- $3.00 MQ)= $.99

1- Charmin $6.49 ea- (1- $1.00 Target Q and 1- $.25 MQ doubled)= $5.00

1- Idaho Potatoes $1.99

1- Sara Lee Honey Wheat Bread $1.99

1- Taco Bell Dinner Kit $1.35

2- Ruffles Chips $1.99 ea= $3.99

1- Old El Paso Refried Bean $1.47

1- Publix Flour- $2.29

1- Lipton Onion Mix- $1.29

Total: $201.77

Total (after coupons): $9.93

Note: Total would have been lower had they accepted the other $5.00 competitor coupon. :(

Note: I found some yummy recipes for dips that I was dying to try! I made a Buffalo Chicken Dip last night that will be PERFECT for Superbowl Sunday. I'll post it this week. It was VERY easy and SUPER yummy! Tonight we are making a Creamy Bean Dip to take to a friend's house for a football party. Anway...my point is, look for sales and use overage to pay for the needed items.

Note: I also thought we were low on toilet paper (something that must never happen!) so I bought the Charmin. When I came home, Tim informed me that he moved about 10 more packages upstairs in the guest bathroom. So, we really didn't need that item. I think you can get better deals at drugstores for toilet paper than you can at Publix. (most of the time).

Note: We have Teacher Appreciation Week coming up at Caroline's school in a few weeks. One of the days theme is "Take Me to the Movies". I quickly volunteered to donate all the popcorn! I ordered 40 Q's off of Ebay. I will only need 15 for the teachers, so the rest will be for us. Tim goes through phases where he can't seem to get enough popcorn. ;) Hey, what's better than FREE!!!

Publix Shop Post

I've been trying to get back into my couponing, and it's been quite difficult since taking a break. I'll be honest, I was quite nervous when I got up to the checkout lane. I didn't do the numbers in my head like I used to and I had my niece with me (teenager). I decided to add at the last minute a box of Cheez Its. I didn't have coupons but thought it was a great deal. Also, the Progresso Soup wasn't a stellar deal, but since we were finally out, I needed to buy a few to replenish my stock.

Transaction Details:

2- Sundown Vitamins- $3.29 ea (1- $3/2 MQ and 1- $6/2 PQ)= Free++

3- GE light bulbs- $.95 ea (3- $1.50 MQ)= Free++

2- Green Giant Vegetables- $1.00 ea (2- $.50 MQ doubled)= Free

1- Chobani Yogurt- $1.00 (1- $1.00 MQ)= Free

1- Scotties Tissues- $1.00 (1- $1.00 MQ)= Free

2- Swiss Miss Cocoa- $1.00 ea (1- $.50 MQ doubled)= $.50 ea

2- Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks- $1.30 ea (2- $.50 MQ doubled)= $.30 ea

2- Pedigree Dentastix Treats- $1.90 ea (2- $1.00 MQ)= $.90 ea

6- Progressive Soups- $1.15 ea (1- $.25 MQ doubled, 1- $.50/2 MQ doubled, 1- $1.10/3 MQ)= Various Prices

1- Cheez It- $1.65

1- Milk- $2.69

Used: $5.00/$25.00 Competitor Coupon

Total: $51.24

Total (after coupons): $4.51