Last Minute Grocery Shopping: Saved 70%

Since I was feeling bad last week, I didn't make it out to any of the stores.  Today I realized that it had to be today, even though it was rainy and the temp was dropping rapidly.

First I went to Tom Thumb, aren't with a handful of store coupons (from the ad)/manufacturer coupons to stack.

Here's what I got at Tom Thumb:

Two Ken's @$0.99 each with store coupon--used 2 $1/1 =FREE
Two Danimals Crunchers @  $1.69 each--Used $1/2 printable= $1.19 each
Two Chex @  $0.99 each--Used $0.50/2 (doubled) = $0.49 each
Two Nature Valley @  $1.79 each--Used $0.50/2 (doubled) =  $1.29 each

Was a little bummed when I got to the store because only the Nature Valley Crunchy were included, and I prefer the sweet and salty variety, but I decided to give them a try anyway.

Total Shelf Price:  $25.32
Total Sale Price (After Store Coupon):  $10.92   (Already 57% savings)
Price Paid After Coupons:  $5.92  (77% Savings)

It also printed me a $5/$20 coupon good through the end of the month, so I'm hoping there's a good sale next week so I can make use of those extra savings!



Then it was off to Albertsons.  I grabbed a few Mega Items, and a few other things on my list, and then my coupons and I wandered around a bit, so I found a few things to buy that I had not intended to, but all good deals.

Here's what I grabbed:

There are two fuzzy impulse buys there in the foreground.   $9.99 slippers marked down to $2.49. I bought a size too big for each of my girls, and plan to keep them for stocking stuffers.  The little one was with me, but I told her she couldn't have them yet, and I'm betting she completely forgets before long.

I'm not going to itemize everything I bought in this trip, but I paid $30.57 in all, and my receipt says  I saved $64.92 so that means the shelf price of everything was $95.49, so I saved 68%.


All said today, I spent $36.49 on items that sale for $120.81, for an average of 70% saved at both stores.  That's right about where I like my savings rate to be when using coupons, and I was about to stock up on some snack items we've been without for quite some time around here.

Did you do any last minute shopping today?

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Cheap Frigo Cheese Heads At Tom Thumb

There is a new $0.40/1 Frigo Cheese Heads coupon available:

This is a great coupon to use at any store that doubles, but today and tomorrow only (through 8/14), you can use it along with this in-ad coupon at Tom Thumb to get them for just $2.69!

The store coupon says limit 4, but remember that Tom Thumb will only double one like coupon, so if you use more than one of these, they will deduct at face value and you will pay $3.09 for the others (still not bad!).

There was also a coupon in Sunday's paper for $0.55/1 of these, making them just $2.94.

These are not something that I make a habit of buying for my family, but when the price is right, they do make a nice treat!

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$0.99 Cereal At Tom Thumb

Make sure to print this great new coupon:

Tom Thumb has this cereal  on sale for just $1.99 this week.  They will double 1 like coupon per transaction, so use one of these and get it for just $0.99.  (If you use more than one, the others will be $1.49)

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Tom Thumb Trip 5/3

I was totally out of milk, and almost out of eggs this morning, so I was planning on going to Aldi.   As is my habit, I looked through the Tom Thumb ad before I left (because it's on the way to Aldi), and I decided that this week, I didn't really need to go to Aldi at all.

Tom Thumb had their milk on sale for $2.58, and their 18 ct. eggs on sale for $1.99.   I didn't think this was a big enough difference in price to spend the time and gas going a few blocks down the road to a second store.  I also found a few more things that I wanted to pick up there, like cereal and Silk.

Here's what I came home with:

 I picked up some country crock there with this coupon, and I also found a large tub of yogurt marked half price.  I went a little overboard on the Silk, but they have a long expiration date and I didn't know if I'd see another sale like that ($2.79) before my coupons expired.

Total Shelf Price:  $49.64
Total Sale Price:   $30.86
Price Paid After Coupons:   $23.65   52% Savings

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Tom Thumb Deals 4/11-4/17

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb this week  (it's been a long day at the doctor's office, so these are borrowed from Surviving The Stores.


Red, Black Seedless or Red Globe Seeded Grapes $1.49/lb  Friday thru Monday ONLY!!
Pure Protein, Clif, Luna or Mojo Energy Bars 1.59-2.4 oz @ - $0.99

• $1/2 Pure Protein Bars, exp. 4/22/12 (RP 03/11/12)

Dentyne, Stride or Trident White Gum 9-16 ct     $0.99

• $1/2 Dentyne Gum, exp. 5/31/12 (SS 03/04/12 R)

For more Tom Thumb deals, go here.

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Tom Thumb Deals 4/4-4/10

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb this week:


Produce:


Celery  $1.25

Yams  $0.99/lb.

Green Onions or Radishes   2 for $1


Other:


Nabisco Snack Crackers or Toasted Chips   3 for $5

Prego Pasta Sauce  $1.49  (Wed-Sun Only)

• Use Coupon from 2/26 SS  (value varies by region)

Tyson Breaded Chicken Selections (Includes Nuggets)  BOGO FREE

• Use $0.75/1 Nuggets from 2/12 SS

Quaker Life or Cap N' Crunch  $1.99  (Wed-Sun Only)

Kraft Salad Dressing   $1.49   (Wed-Sun Only)

Land O Lakes Fresh Buttery Spread   15 oz. tub.   $1.50   (Wed-Sun Only)

• Coupons in 3/18 SS  (value varies)
• Use $0.50/1 printable (doubles) = $0.50

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits   $1.00

• Coupons in 4/1 SS, 2/5 GM, & 3/11 SS

Hefty One Zip Bags  BOGO Free

Kingsford Charcoal  $5.99

Hefty Foam Plates 30-50ct.   BOGO Free

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New Nivea Coupon = FREE At Tom Thumb!

There is a brand new Nivea Lip coupon available:

This is my favorite lip balm, and I'm so excited that this coupon goes right along with a sale at Tom Thumb:

This week, they are just $0.99 each, so this coupon will make them FREE!

Don't forget to pick up your FREE Carefree while you're there!

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Tom Thumb Deals 3/21-3/27

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb This week:


Meat:


Chicken Leg Quarters   $0.59/lb  sold in 10 lb. bags for $5.90


Produce:


Green Grapes  $1.28/lb

Zucchini/Yellow Squash  $0.99/lb

Cucumbers  $0.79 each

Kiwi   3 for $1

Baby Carrots  1lb.  $0.99


Other:


Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce   $0.99

Pantiliners:  Always 20 ct. or Carefree 20-22ct.  $0.99

• Use $1.00/1 Carefree from 3/18 SS = FREE

Halls Cough Drops   $0.99

• Use $1/2 from 2/5 SS =  $0.49 each wyb 2

Tom Thumb is having a Mega Sale this week also.  Buy 8 or more products and you get $0.50 off each one, no limit, no making sure you have multiples of 8.

I've loved when they've had these sales in the past, but there are only a few items listed in the ad for it, and none are really of interest.  I imagine there are a lot more participating items in store, and I will try to make a trip before the end of the week and report back.

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Tom Thumb Deals 3/7-3/13

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb this week:


Meat:


Whole Pork Blade Roast   $1.87/lb

Chicken Leg Quarters  $0.59/lb


Produce:


Red/Orange/Yellow Bell Pepper  $1 each

Kiwi  3 for $1

Yellow Onions   $0.99/lb


With In-Ad Coupon:


General Mills Lucky Charms, Multi Grain Cheerios, or Kix    $1.99  (limit 4)

• Use $1/3 from 2/5 GM
• Use  50¢ off when you buy ONE BOX Lucky Charms® cereal  =  $0.99 (only 1 doubles)

Kelloggs Corn Flakes or Raisin Bran   $1.99  (limit 4)

• Use $1/3 from 3/4RP
• Sign Up For Kellogg's Coupons Here.

Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks   $1.49   (limit 4)

• Use $0.50/1 from 2/5 GM   (first doubles) = $0.49

Ken's Salad Dressing 16 oz.  $1.19    (limit 3)

Kleenex  $0.79  (limit 2)

Silk Soy, Almond, Coconut Milk    $2.49  (limit 3)

• $0.55 off one Silk Soymilk or Almondmilk
• $1.00 off one Silk Pure Coconut

Other:


Quaker Oatmeal Squares  $1.99  (Fri-Mon Only)

Post Honey Bunches Of Oats or Fruity Pebbles   $1.99

• $1.00 off when you buy any ONE POST Honey Bunches of Oats NEW Fruit Blends
• $1/1 from 2/26 SS (fruit blends)

Barilla Pasta  $1.00



Cheese Event:  BOGO FREE
Use one of these:

$0.75 off one KRAFT Philadelphia Natural Slices GET COUPON

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Tom Thumb Deals 2/29-3/6

Here are the best prices I see advertised this week at Tom Thumb  (Not a whole lot here either):

Meat:


Whole Boneless Pork Loin   $1.99/lb


Produce:


Red, Green, Romaine Lettuce   $0.99 each


With In-Ad Coupon:


Pam Cooking Spray  $2.49

Other:


Kraft Fresh Take   $2.99

• Use:  

$0.75 off ONE package of KRAFT Fresh Take GET COUPON

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Tom Thumb Deals 2/22-2/28

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb this week:


Meat:


Eating Right Chicken Breast  $1.88/lb


Produce:


Red Seedless Grapes   $1.37/lb

Fresh Express Salads  $1.00


Other:


Ken's Salad Dressing 16oz.  $1.50  (Fri-Sun Only

• Use $1/1 from 1/8 SS  (exp. 2/28)

There is also this special going on.  I don't know the prices, but I always like these sales.  They make for some great deals, and I can usually find more items participating in store.

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Tom Thumb Deals 2/15-2/21

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb this week:


Meat:


Chicken Leg Quarters  $0.59/lb


Produce:


Broccoli  $0.99/lb.

Gala, Nraeburn, or Red Delicious Apples  $0.99/lb

Cuties Clementines  5lb. box  $5  (Friday Only)

Cabbage  $0.39/lb

Potatoes (Red, Gold, White)  $0.99/lb


Other:


Coca Cola Brand 12 packs  Buy 2 Get 2 FREE Plus 1 FREE Wheat Thins or Tristcuit

Tidy Cats 20lb.   $5  (Friday Only)

• Use $1/1 from 1/29 RP = $4

Prego Pasta Sauce   $1.49  (Fri-Sun Only)

• Use coupons from 1/8 SS  (Value Varies)

Uncle Ben's Ready Rice  3 for $5

• Use Various Coupons from 1/8 & 1/22 RP

With In-Ad Coupon:


Mott's Apple Juice   $1.79

Hormel Fully Cooked Entrees   $3.99

• Use $1.00/1 printable   =  $2.99

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Tom Thumb Deals 2/8-2/14

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom thumb this week:



Meat:


Whole Boneless Pork Loin   $1.99/lb

T-Bone    $3.99/lb

Chicken Leg Quarters  $0.59/lb  (sold in 10 lb bags for $5.90)


Produce:


Asparagus   $1.28/lb

Hot House Tomatoes   $0.99/lb

Cucumbers  $0.69 each

Grapes  $1.28/lb  (Fri-Sun Only)


Other:


Mission 10ct. Flour Tortillas   $0.99 each  (Fri-Sun Only)

C&H Sugar 4lb.   $1.99  (Monday Only)

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Shopping Trip 1/30: Should Have Paid More Attention To The Ad!

I'm still eating from the freezer this week, but there were a few items on my list that I needed from Aldi, and while I was out, and passing right by it, I figured I might as well stop by Tom Thumb.

My first stop was Aldi, and I grabbed some items we'd run out of and a few produce sale items they had.  Here is everything I got:

I'm stocked up on snack and lunch items now for at least the next two weeks, and my total spent was $30.85.

(By the way, my store still had plenty of the Tyson Chicken Breasts that were this weeks meat special buy, with $2 off stickers on them, so if you need chicken, keep your eyes peeled for those!  I still have plenty of chicken in my freezer, so I didn't buy any this time.)


Then I stopped in Tom Thumb.  My main reason for going there was to buy some Ken's dressing.  They were on sale for $1.50, and I had 4 $1/1 coupons to get them for just $0.50.  I walked in the door, and headed for the dressing aisle first.  The signs there said $2.50, however.  I was confused, so I walked back to the front and grabbed an ad.  Sure enough, I'd missed, or at least forgotten, the fine print that said 3 Day Sale, Friday-Sunday Only.

So, I didn't get my salad dressing..but I still got the rest of the few items that I went in to get:

Total Shelf Price:  $18.32
Total Sale Price:   $12.46    (Already 32% Savings

Used $5/1 Kingsford printable (NLA)
Used FREE Yoplait Kids Coupon (Home mailer, expired today!)
Used $1/1 Danimals Crunchers from All You
Used $1/4 2oz Buddig  (found in package)
Used $0.25/1 Chapstick (tripled)  (NLA)

Then used $2 ONYO coupon that printed last trip, bringing my grand total down to $0.21!  That's a savings of 99%!


I've hit two stores so far this week, for a grand total of $31.06 for $49.21 worth of items.  I'm still planning on going to both Albertson's and Kroger either this evening or tomorrow morning.  Hopefully I can keep it under budget for the week.

Since I'm eating from the freezer, I don't need items to make meals, so I am focusing on stockpile items that are running low!

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Tom Thumb Deals 1/25-1/31

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb this week:


Meat:


Fresh Pork Shoulder Blade Roast   $1.29/lb

Chicken Leg Quarters   $0.59/lb   (sold in 10lb. bags for $5.90)

Buddig Lunchmeats  2oz-12oz.  BOGO FREE

• Use $0.75/4 2oz from 12/11 SS

Produce:

Red/Green Seedless Grapes   $1.48

Roma Tomatoes  $0.88/lb

Fuji Apples  $0.99/lb

Yellow Onions   3lb. bag for $1

Navel Oranges  4lb. bag  $3

Avocados  $0.79 each

Mustard, Collard, Turnip Greens  $0.79 each bunch

Russet Potatoes  $0.79/lb

Other:

Ken's Salad Dressing  16oz.  $1.50 each

• Use $1.00/1 from 1/8 SS  (some ares got $1/2)  =  $0.50 each

Chapstick   $0.99  (I think I saw a coupon for this recently, and I'm still trying to figure out where!)

Dial Liquid Handsoap  $0.99

Danimals Crunchers  $2

• Use $1/1 from All You Magazine

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Tom Thumb Trip 1/20 + Weekly Totals

This week, Tom Thumb is having a great sale, so I  made sure I went!  I've decided that I should shop more often because my 2 year old who is an absolute terror at home was an absolute angel in the store.  She sat still, and quiet, in the seat of the basket the whole time I shopped, and went through self check-out with my coupons, half of which (the ones with the new style barcodes) would not scan, so I had to wait for the very nice lady to come and punch them in for me.

I had a great trip overall.  I bought a lot of stuff, but it was a lot of stuff we were out of.  Here's everything I got  (click to enlarge):

Total Shelf Price:    $112.29
Total Sale Price:     $64.71  Already 42% Savings just by shopping sale prices!

Price Paid After Coupons:      $42.62  62% Savings








This was the second shopping trip I did this week:

Click for details

My total spent this week was $85.91, which is a bit over my budget for the week.  

For the first three weeks of the year I've spent $281.75  (a little more than I thought but I found some more receipts....)  That's an average of $93.92 per week, and already $1.75 over the monthly budget we had been using last time I tracked our purchases.

My intended goal is $75 per week, or $280 per month.  Since we've got back to using our debit cards instead of cash, you can see we've been struggling to stick to that (and I never knew it because I had slacked on tracking our spending/saving!)

So, that being said, I'm really glad I'm back to keeping track of it now!  It's good to have a wake up call! ;)  Also, today is payday for my husband, and a new budget is going to be made.  Cash is going to be taken out of the bank (just as my lovely guest poster suggested!) and next week will begin our "February"  (good thing, since all of January's money is apparently spent!)  

We did have an extra week in January to make our money stretch (but I didn't track that week EEK!), and will also have an extra week in February to do the same (Christmas throws off the teacher's monthly check schedule every year, so this is a hard time to begin tracking these things.)  Late February will get us back on our normal monthly payment cycle, and hopefully our spending will be back in check from using cash, too!

I am also going to challenge myself to go the next week without any spending so that will shave those "extra" days off of the month.  I have plenty of food on hand in the freezer and pantry now, so we should only need milk and bread at most.

How did your shopping go this week?  Link up your post, or leave a comment!

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Tom Thumb Deals 1/18-1/24

Here are the best prices I see advertised at Tom Thumb this week:


Meat:


Assorted Pork Loin Chops    $1.49/lb


Produce:


Kiku Apples   $1.68/lb

Black Berries/Blueberries  Buy 1 Get 2 FREE

Fresh Express Salads   $1.00 each


With In-Ad Coupon:


Bull's Eye or Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce   $0.99  (limit 4)

Cheerios, Frosted Toast Crunch, or Trix   $1.77  (limit 4)

• $1.00/2 Cheerios
• $0.75/1 Frosted Toast Crunch  (may be no longer available)
• $1/2 from 12/11 SS

Kleenex   $0.79  (limit 2)

• 1/1 SS  (varies)

Nature Valley Granola Bars   $1.77  (limit 4)

• 1/8 GM  (varies)

Prego Pasta Sauce  $1.49 each  (limit 6)

• 1/8 SS  (varies)

Campbell's Select Harvest  $1.29  (limit 6)

• $1/3 Printable
• 1/8 SS  (varies)

V8 Fusion or Smoothie  $1.99  (limit 3)

• $1/1 from 1/8 SS =  $0.99  =D

Dannon Danimals or Danonino   $1.69  (limit 3)

Silk Soy or Almond  $2.99 (limit 3)

• $0.75/1 from 1/8 SS

Minute Maid 89 Oz.   $3.99  (limit 2)


Other:


Land O Lakes Spreadable Butter  (6.5-8oz)  $1.79

• $1.00/1 from 1/15 SS (if it's the same type...said select varieties)

Kraft Salad Dressing   $1.50 each

Goldfish   $1.00 each  (Must Buy 3 or $1.50 each)

Campbell's Condensed Soup  $1.00 each

• 1/8 SS  (varies)

Swanson's Broth  $1.00 each

Precious String Cheese  $3.99

• $1.00/1 from 1/15 SS = $2.99  

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks   $0.99 each  (must buy 4 or $1.99 each)

• $0.50/2  printable  or 1/8 GM   (first one doubles)

Dannon Activia or Light & Fit  $1.88

• $1.00/1 Activia from 1/15 SS  =  $0.88

Read more...

Tom Thumb Deals 1/11-1/17

Here are the best prices I see advertised this week at Tom Thumb:


Meat:


Whole Boneless Pork Loin  $1.99/lb

Safeway Chicken Thighs/Drumsticks  $0.99/lb

Hormel Natural Choice Lunchmeat  $2.49 with in-ad coupon

• Use $0.50/1 printable (first one doubles) = $1.49  (multiples redeemed at face value)

Produce:


Gala, Braeburn, or Fuji Apples  $0.99/lb

Peeled Baby Carrots  1lb.  $1.00

Lemons  2 for $1

Avocados  $0.79

Cucumbers/Green Bell Peppers   $0.79

Organic Baking Potatoes  $0.99/lb


Other:


Chef Boyardee  $0.89

• Use $0.50/4 from 1/1 SS (first one doubles) = $0.64 each wyb 4

Pillsbury Brownie Mix  $0.99 each with in-ad coupon

• Use coupon from 11/6 RP (varies by region)

Powerade  $0.69 with in-ad coupon

Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies  $1.67 with in ad coupon

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New Product Coupon: Velveeta Dip + Tom Thumb Deal

There is a new coupon available this morning for $1.00/1 Velveeta Dip (you will have to scroll through to find it, it was on page 2 for me):

These are on sale for just $2.99 at Tom Thumb Starting today, so after coupon you will pay just $1.99.

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Tom Thumb Deals 1/4-1/10

There isn't a whole lot going on at Tom Thumb this week, but there are a few good deals:


Meat:


Chicken Breasts  $1.88/lb

Chicken Leg Quarters  $0.59/lb sold in 10lb bags for $5.90


Produce:


Cluster Tomatoes   $1.48/lb

Cherries  $2.99/lb


Other:


Heinz Ketchup 20oz   $1.88

Kids Yogurt (Danimals & Go-Gurt)   $2


With  In-Ad Coupon:


Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks   $1.49  (limit 5)

• Use $0.50/2 printable (first one doubles)

Cheerios/Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.79 (limit4)

• $1.00 off when you buy any TWO BOXES select Cheerios® cereals

Honey Nut Cheerios, Golden Grahams, Total $1.79 (limit 4)

• $1.00 off when you buy any TWO BOXES select Cheerios® cereals

New General Mills Cereals  ( Dulce De Leche Cheerios, Peanut Butter Cheerios, and French Toast Crunch) $1.99 each (limit 4)

• Use the printable coupons I told you about here:  = $1.24 each

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