Saturday, April 21, 2012

CVS Deals 4/16

Transaction #1
Naturelief on sale $8.49 with $8.49 ECB back
Act on sale $3.99 with $1 ECB back


Retail: $13.58
Sale price: $12.48
Used $1 ECB from prior trip
and $1 off Act coupon
Paid: $11.32
Got back: $9.49


Transaction #2
Lysol no touch soap dispenser on sale $6.99
Colgate on sale $2.99 with $2 ECB back
Tums freshers on sale $2.99
Hersheys on sale $1.19

Retail: $26.94
Sale price: $24.14 
Used:
(2) $3 off Lysol no touch coupons
(2) $1 off colgate coupons
$1.50 off tums coupon
$9.49 ECB from transaction #1
Paid: $6.78
Got back $4 ECB

** the only reason I bought the hersheys was because I got a 50 cent off coupon from the CVS in store kiosk and then I FORGOT to use it *GASP* oh the horror. Makes me so damn mad when I do that and I seem to do it all the time**

Total for both trips:
Retail: $40.52
Sale price: $36.62
Paid: $18.10
Got back $4 ECB 

 
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$103.84 Worth Of Stuff At Walgreens For $26.78 And 99 Cents Back!

TRANSACTION #1
Similasan nasal allergy relief drops on sale $6 with $6 RR back
Pepsi next on sale 99 cents with 99 cents RR back

Retail: $10.05
Sale price: $7.46
Used $1.50 off Similasan coupon
Paid: $5.96
Got back $6.99 RR
Profit $1.04

Transaction #1
Nasal Ease allergy reliever on sale $9 with $9 RR back
Goody ouchless hair bands on sale $1.99 with $1 RR back

Retail: $16.72
Sale price: $11.73
Used $6.99 RR from Transaction #1
Paid: $4.74
Got back: $10 RR
Profit $5.26

Transaction #3
Olives on sale 99 cents each with in-ad coupon
Mac and cheese on sale B1G1 @ $1.79 with in-ad coupon 
Raisins on sale $1.99 with in-ad coupon
Pepsi next on sale 99 cents with 99 cents RR back
Pants on clearance $1.74
Foil on sale 99 cents each with in-ad coupon
Hunts tomato sauce on sale 3/$1 with in-ad coupon
Egg gum on clearance 12 cents each
Cookies and cream bunny on clearance 18 cents each
Peeps on clearance 44 cents
Lg. bunnies with filling 32 cents each 

Retail: $43.31
sale price: $18.37
Used $10RR from Transaction #2
Paid: $8.37
Got back 99 cents RR

My original plan was to buy more of the 2 allergy meds with RR's back. I would have rolled over my RR's and did a few more smaller transactions to buy the stuff that didn't have RR's back. BUT they were out of stock by Tues. so I had to do this larger transaction in order to get the things I wanted that were on sale.


Transaction # 4 and 5
Transaction #4
Similasan allergy relief on sale $6 with $6 RR back
Pants on clearance $1.74

Retail: $15.50
Sale price: $8.26
Used $1.50 off Similasan coupon and 99 cents RR from transaction #3
Paid $5.77 
Got back $6 RR
Profit 23 cents

** when I went back this time, they had 1 Similasan back in stock**

Transaction #5
Foil on sale 99 cents with in-ad coupon
Pants on clearance $1.74 each
Pepsi next on sale 99 cents with 99 cents RR back **NOT SHOWN**
 
Retail: $18.26
Sale price: $7.94
Used $6 RR from transaction #4
Paid: $1.94
Got back 99 cents RR

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Saturday, April 7, 2012

Bi-Lo Trip $161.95 worth of groceries for $81.35 Saved more than I spent!!

Bi-Lo is by far my favorite store for deals, promotions and their coupon policy. 
Total before sales and coupons was $161.95
Total out of pocket $81.35
Total saved $83.96
Total Bi-Lo advertised savings $58.41
Total savings in coupons $25.55

Some of the deals:

Southern Home (SH, Bi-Lo store brand) Chicken Nuggets B1G1 @ $8.99

Kosher salt on sale 89 cents used bi-lo e-coupon 50 cents off makes it 39 cents.  reg. $1.19

Pam cooking spray on sale $2.50 Bi-lo e-coupon 51 cents off makes it $1.99 also have mail in rebate for the full amount paid so in the end, it's FREE reg. $3.29

Smart Balance cooking spray on sale $2.50 used 75 cent off coupon making it $1.75 reg. price $2.95

Hefty Cups on sale B1G1 @ $3.18 making them $1.59 each

Almond breeze almond milk $3.18 used 55 cents off coupon (doubles to $1.10 thanks to bi-lo's coupon policy which doubles up to 60 cent off coupons) Making it $2.08

Silk almond milk on sale $3.00 used $1 off coupon makes it $2 reg. $3.19

Spinach on sale $1.97 each. reg. $2.79 each.

Dole frozen fruit on sale B1G1 @ $5.99 makes $2.99 each used $1 off 2 coupon makes them $2.49 each

Planters peanut butter on sale $2.50 each used (4) $1 off coupons makes $1.50 each plus *fuel perks promotion: buy 4 participating products and get 20 cents off per gallon*

Weber chicago steak seasoning on sale $2 used 75 cent off coupon makes it $1.25 reg. $2.89

Got2b hair gel on sale B1G1 @ 5.99 makes them $2.99 each used (4) $3 off coupons makes all 4 FREE

Vlasic relish on sale B1G1 @ $1.89 makes them 94 cents each used (2) 75 cent off coupons makes them 19 cents each. 

Voskos greek yogurt B1G1 @ $1.49 makes them 74 cents each used (2) $1 off 3 coupons makes them 41 cents each. reg. 

Dixie crystals sugar 4lb. on sale $2.89 used $1 off coupon makes it $1.89 reg. $3.19

Southern Home brown rice on sale 4 for $3 makes them 75 cents each reg. 97 cents each

croutons B1G1 @ $1.50 makes them 75 cents each

Dog food on sale $9.99 used $1 off coupon makes it $8.99 reg. $12.99

Ingles Trip! $190.50 worth of groceries for $115.22

There is not much to tell here. This wasn't the greatest in deals, but then again, I got produce, meats and frozen veggies and overall, that makes it pretty damn good for $115.22 if you ask me.
Some of the great deals were:
Head and shoulders $4.48 each but I had a coupon for B1G1 making them $2.24 each
The frozen veggies were $1 each. I bought 20 bags. $20. I had 10 coupons for $1 off 2 So $10 off 20 makes it 20 bags of frozen veggies for $10 or 50 cents each.

CVS Trip!

So I headed out to CVS to pick up a few things that were on sale and things I needed.
I actually did 2 separate transactions this day.
First:
Complete multi purpose solution on sale $8.99 with $8.99 ECB back Retail price $12.99
I had a $3 ECB from the in store kiosk
and a $3.90 gift card
I used both
Total out of pocket $2.49
Got back $8.99 ECB
Making it free + $6.50 profit

Next I bought:
Coke on sale $2.50 reg. price $5.29
CVS allergy liquid $12.99
Tums $3.99 with $1 ECB back reg. price $5.29
Dawn 99 cents each reg. price $1.77
Total retail $30.65
Paid out of pocket $12.96
Got back $1 ECB

So the totals for this whole trip:
Retail price $39.64
Out of pocket $15.45
Savings $24.19
and $1 ECB back

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Homemade Healthy Granola Swap!

On the same show that I saw the Kale chip recipe, I saw a swap for granola. I love granola so this was something I really wanted to try too. I should say that the show is Hungry Girl on Food Network.
Granola is something I have always loved. It can be loaded with Fat, calories and sugar though and that's just no good. This recipe is so simple and easy and it is really tasty. You can flavor it too.
Here is the actual recipe:
1/4 cup old fashioned slow cooking oats
1/4 cup puffed rice
1/4 cup puffed wheat
1 1/2 TBSP sugar free pancake syrup
Freeze dried apples

Mix everything EXCEPT apples.
Spray baking sheet or dish with cooking spray
Put granola in dish
Bake @ 275 for 30-35 min flipping once halfway through
add apples when done

Now I didn't have the apples and I do not like maple syrup. I used honey. I also doubled the recipe. I also added a few drops of vanilla and almond extract and some cinnamon to the honey and mixed well before mixing it in the granola. I say  add whatever you like and make it your own.

This granola is a pretty healthy snack. It is also great as a topping. I mixed it in greek yogurt. YUMMY! Kids also like this snack.
 

Kale Chips. My New Favorite Healthy Snack.

Recently I watched a cooking show in which Kale Chips were made. I had heard of them several times before but never really thought about making them. Since I have changed my eating habits and cut out 98% of processed foods, I figured now was the time to try them. 
I worked in the deli dept of a grocery store for a short while when i was a teenager. Kale was used in the display case as garnish and decoration around the meats and such. I never even knew you could eat it. I have been eating it in salads and using it in my green protein shakes (up coming blog post) I really like it and it's really good for you.
So Last night I made Kale chips for the first time. OH. MY. GOD. I can't even get over how good I think they are. The Kale was on sale 99 cents/lb so it was cheap too. 
So basically you wash and DRY the Kale. Make sure it is dry for best results. My first batch I tossed the kale in olive oil. I shouldn't have. The second batch I made using cooking spray and they came out much better.
I sprayed a baking sheet lightly with olive oil cooking spray. Placed kale on baking sheet in single layer. Sprayed them lightly with cooking spray and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Bake @ 425 for 5-8 minutes. It's that easy. This bowl has about 60+ calories. I swear to you, I can't stop eating them!
They are light and crispy and full of flavor. I'm on a mission to try new foods that are healthy but that also taste good. I refuse to eat something I don't like. I hope you will all try these. It's cheap, quick, easy and worth trying, even if you don't end up liking them. I have heard a lot of people say that kids really like them too!

I Made Veggie Stock This Weekend!

Here is the link for my original post about saving your veggie scraps for veggie stock, if you haven't read it already.

http://mytwocents-meliss.blogspot.com/2012/03/save-your-veggie-scraps-for-soup-stock.html

This weekend I had enough to make a nice stock.


I had enough to fill my 22 quart stock pot 3/4 of the way full.
The finished product.


Great Grocery Trip This Week $73.33 worth of groceries for $27.79

Bi-Lo
Total before sales and coupons $73.33
Total after sales and coupons $27.79
Savings of $45.54

Kale was on sale 99 cents/lb
Spinach on sale $1.97 each
Caffeine tablets on sale $2.49 (40 count)
Wisk on sale $3.99 used $2 off manufacturers coupon, made it $1.99
Pantene gel on sale 2 for $7 Used Bi-Lo E-coupon $1 off 2 and manufacturers coupon $1 off 2 made it $2.50 each
Lysol no touch kitchen system on sale B1G1 @ $10.49 used 4 manufacturers coupons for $3 off each made then $2.25 each

Monday, March 12, 2012

My Quest For A Healthier, Better ME!

 In my quest for a healthier and better me, I have been working on exercising daily and eating healthier. I refuse to count calories or points or anything else. I know what the right foods are and I know what the wrong ones are. I have been working really hard on eating MORE whole foods and LESS processed foods. I'm also doing that on a tight budget.

BREAKFAST
Protein shake:
vanilla whey powder
almond milk
spinach
flax seed meal
banana

SNACK
orange

LUNCH
oatmeal with:
almond milk
plum amazins
grapenuts


 
DINNER
Beef and broccoli with carrots
Harri covert
brown rice/bulgar wheat mix
Mixed greens salad:
tomato, red and green pepper,
pineapple, radish, scallion
pomegranate balsamic vinegar for dressing
Fat free skim milk to drink


DESSERT
Greek yogurt
grape fruit

Drank 90 oz. water throughout day

EXERCISE
Pilates
5 miles on treadmill
incline 6
1 mile in morning
1 mile at noon
3 miles late afternoon
1 mile worth of  sprints at 6.0 1/10 mile at a time

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Thursday, March 8, 2012

5 Walgreens Transactions. All FREE Plus PROFIT!


TRANSACTION #1


 Nasal spray on sale $5 with $5 RR back (FREE)
Toothpaste on sale $3 with $3 RR back (FREE)
Gum on sale 69 cents each (with in store coupon found in weekly circular)
Total retail $14.69
Total sale price $10.01
Used $8 RR **(4) $2 RR's**
Paid $2.01
Got back $8 ($3 and $5)
Making all of it free + $5.99 profit


TRANSACTION #2

See Transaction #1 details for prices
Total retail $12.02
Total sale price $8.54
Used $4 RR
Paid $4.54
Got back $8 RR ($3 and $5)
Making both FREE with $3.46 profit


TRANSACTION # 3
See Transaction #1 for prices
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back
Total retail $20.03
Total sale price $15.34
Used:
 $4 off razor coupon (from sunday paper)
$5 RR
Paid $6.34
Got back $7 RR ($3 and $4)
Making it all FREE with 66 cents profit

TRANSACTION #4


See Transaction #1 and for prices
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back
Total retail $20.03
Total sale price $15.34
Used:
 $4 off razor coupon (from sunday paper)
$5 RR
Paid $6.34
Got back $7 RR ($3 and $4)
Making it all FREE with 66 cents profit 

TRANSACTION #5 

 See transaction #1 for prices
Gaz-it modeling fun $1
Total retail $12.07
Total sale prices $7.88
Used (2) $3 RR
Paid $1.88
Got back $5 RR
Making it all FREE with $3.12 profit


All 5 transactions plus the one from yesterday came to:
Total retail $107.67
Paid $25.56
Got back $27 RR
Making ALL of it Free with  $1.44

I'd like to thank Walgreens GIVING me all of this stuff for free and PAYING me $1.44 on top of that!

This week I have a master plan in mind here. I have been rolling over and saving up my RR's so at the end of the week, I can buy 4 lbs of whey protein powder for FREE Retail value $40 on sale for $30. I already have $27 RR to put towards it and I will earn more tomorrow. 

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Chicken and Mixed Veggies in Brown sauce

I baked split chicken breasts the other night and used the leftover chicken in this dish. I didn't measure it, I just used what I had. I also used whatever veggies I had. I just eye ball the amounts to a ratio I like. You can use any meat you like and any combo of veggies for this dish.

You all know I love split chicken breasts because they are always on sale for 99 cents/lb. I baked  all the chicken at once and made a couple meals out of it. #1 baked chicken with gravy. #2 chicken salad #3 BBQ chicken (just for 2 lunches) and this dish. I pulled the chicken off the bone for the chicken salad, BBQ chicken and this chicken and veggies in brown sauce.

1 bottle of low sodium soy sauce (kikoman is the brand I like most by far)
3 TBSP corn starch
1-2 cups of water
3 TBSP brown sugar
3 cloves of garlic. minced or pressed, whatever you like
1 TBSP minced onion
1/2 tsp fresh ginger. crushed, minced, whatever you like
 Use as much or as little ginger as you like.
I cut 2 chunks of ginger and cook in sauce but remove before eating.
 I am not the biggest fan of ginger but without it, it doesn't taste right

Make this sauce your own. Use more or less of any of the ingredients.
This is just how we like it. The above recipe makes about 4-6 servings.
There are times when I doubled it to make more.

Cook all ingredients in pot on med heat then simmer until thickened. (corn starch needs to be cooked out)
Pour over meat and veggies and bake just to meld all ingredients together. 10-20 minutes @ 350


 I used frozen veggies in this dish. I use frozen veggies OFTEN. They go on sale all the time at our 3 local grocery stores for $1 and I try to keep stocked up. The broccoli I actually purchase mostly in bulk because we eat a lot of it. It is my Sons favorite. I always do the broccoli florets. I put all the veggies in a baking dish or any dish that is appropriate size and I defrost them in the microwave. This way they will never be over cooked and all the nutrients won't cook out. Also, I made this whole meal for about $10! That's about $1.70 cents per serving!

Tuesday Drugstore Deals

On sale at CVS for 99 cents with 99 cent ECB back
Paid $1.06 got 99 cent ECB back. 
It's like getting jelly beans for 7 cents.

WALGREENS

Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back
Nasal mist on sale $5 with $5 RR back
Colgate on sale $3 with $3 RR back
Orange slices on sale 69 cents each (must use in store coupon in circular)
Skittles on clearance 69 cents

Total Retail $28.83
Total sale price $20.06
Used:
$4 off razor coupon (from sunday paper)
(3) $2 RR's
(2) $4 RR's
Paid $4.05
Got back $12 RR ($3, $4 and $5)
So I got all of the above for free + $7.95 profit

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

AWESOME! CVS Deals


TRANSACTION #1

CVS was running a sale: buy $20 worth of participating pet products and get $5 Extra Care Bucks (EBC) back
Beneful dog food on sale $4.50 (reg. $6.99)
Total Retail $14
Total sale price $9
Used (2) $2.50 off bag of beneful (from sunday paper)
AND $3 ECB from prior week
Paid $1.61
I only bought the 2 bags this time so I won't get the $5 EBC till I reach the $20 needed to earn it. Which I will do in my last transaction.


TRANSACTION #2
**NOTE: Please notice at the bottom of the above receipt my year to date savings are $223.05. My year to date spending is ONLY $168.52 Since January I have saved MORE than I spent out of pocket. To think that for years, I thought CVS was to expensive for me to even shop there at all is LAUGHABLE now! **

UP2U gum on sale 99 cents ea.(reg. $1.49 ea.)
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 ECB back (reg. $12.79)
Total retail $16.27
Total sale price $11.97
Used $3.79 ECB (from week before)
(2) $1.00 off pack of gum  (from sunday paper)
$4 0ff razor (from sunday paper)
Paid $3.01
Got back $4 ECB

TRANSACTION #3
 
Beneful dog food on sale $4.50 ea. (reg $6.99)
Fructopia shampoo $2.50 ea. (reg. $3.39 ea.)
Candy on sale 2/$1 (reg. 87 cents ea.)
Total retail $32.97
Total sale price $21.50
Used: 
(3) $2.50 off bag of beneful (from sunday paper)
(2) $2.00 off bottle shampoo (from CVS in store coupon booklet) *found on rack where circulars are*
(3) 25 cent off 2 candy (from CVS in store coupon kiosk) *found in front of store*
$4 ECB
$1 ECB (from my CVS green bag tag) *need to purchase bag tag. you get $1 ECB every 4th time it's scanned*
Total paid $5.50
Got back $10 ECB (should have been $5 EBC but due to and thanks to error, it printed twice YAY me!)

 

Monday, March 5, 2012

Great Week Of Deals At Walgreens


This was an extreme week at Walgreens for me. They were running sales on things that I really wanted and needed and also on some thing I know I can turn around and sell. I also made bigger purchases than I normally do in a single transaction. I did this because I really wanted to make sure I got as many of these items as I could in the week they were running the sale. Our store is a small one so more often than not, they run out of the item I want within a few days of the sale start date. 

I have been so unorganized at home lately and I really wanted to blog each transaction right after I made them. However, nothing in my life seems to ever work out the way it's supposed to, no matter how well I plan it all out. So now that the week is over, I have a whole load of info to have to post at once. I also lost a receipt. I also didn't price check the reg. retail prices. I will give a round about price as best I can. I am so annoyed with myself right now lol So i am going to do my best to lay it all out minus the fine details. I am really working on getting my shit together and finding/making the time to blog more often. If anyone has any questions on further details, feel free to ask. I added the receipts this time so you could see the break down.

TRANSACTION #1
I started the week with $2 in RR (register rewards) 
 Bluscience on sale $10 with $10 RR  (reg price about $25)
On the go drink mix on sale $8 with $8 RR (reg price about $16 I think) 
Total Retail $ $41.98
Total sale price $19.22
Used  $2 RR
Paid $17.22
Got back $18 RR (10 and 8) 

TRANSACTION #2
Act on sale 2/$8 with $2 RR back (reg. about $5 each)
Ultimate Flora on sale $10 with $10 RR (reg. price $24.99)
Walgreens bags on sale $1.19 (must use in ad coupon) (reg. about $2.05 each)
Note: I love the quality of wags bags. I buy them as filler items even though I could just buy something for 10 cents and bring down my cost. Wags runs this same sale on bags ALL the time and I stock up every time. 
Wags only lets you use 1 coupon per item (RR is considered a coupon) so if you had 4 RR's and wanted to buy only 2 items but use all your RR's, you need to buy filler items. If you have 4 coupons you need to purchase 4 items. 
Another note: The ultimate flora rang up reg price but they refunded me. My prices below will be different from what the receipt says. 

Total retail $40.58
Total sale price $23.03
Used the $18 I had in RR ($10 and $8)
Total out of pocket $5.03
Got back $12 RR ($2 and $10)

TRANSACTION #3
Glade on sale $3.49 with $1.50 RR (reg. price unknown)
Melatonin on sale $4 with $4 RR (reg. price unknown)
Bags $1.19 each (reg. $2.05 each)
On the go on sale $8 with $8 RR (reg. $16)
Burts Bees cough drops on sale $1.99 with $2 RR (reg. unknown)
Spinner thingy (for Isabella) $1
Total retail $38.02
Total sale price $23.54
Used $12 RR and $2 off glade (from paper)
Paid $9.54
Got back $15.50 RR


TRANSACTION #4
Bags $1.19 each (reg. about $2 each)
Ultimate Flora $10 with $10 RR (reg. $24.99)
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back (reg $12.99)
Nivea lip balm on sale $2.99 with $2 RR 
Pez 37 cents hearts 12 cents (valentines clearance)
Total Retail $51.85
Total sale price $28.87
Used $15.50 in RR and $4 0ff razor (from Sunday paper)
Total paid $9.37
Got back $16 RR ($10, $4 and $2)

NOTE: I won't list prices for each item again unless they items that weren't mentioned above!

TRANSACTION #5
Conair Dryer on sale $17.99 (reg price unknown)
Total retail $44.21
Total sale price $29.32
Used $16 RR and $2 off glade (from sunday paper)
Paid $11.32
Got back $7.50 RR ($4, $2 and $1.50)

TRANSACTION #6
Total Retail $13.94
Total sale price $7
Used $6 RR NOTE: Still have $1.50 from last week that I didn't use here
Paid $3.96
Got back  $6 RR ($4 and $2)

TRANSACTION #7
Candy  on sale 2/$1
Total Retail $26.75
Total sale price $11.76
Used $10 RR
Paid $1.74
Got back $10 RR
Here is where filler items come in I used (3) RR's a $4, $4 and $2 since I wanted to use 3 I needed to buy 3 items!

TRANSACTION #8

Belvita breakfast biscuits on sale $2.99 with $2 RR back (reg. $3.99)
Total retail $75.99
Total sale price $41.51
Used $10 RR and $4 off razor (from sunday paper)
Paid $27.51
Got back $25.50 RR
NOTE: This was one of my larger transactions. If you go with fewer items at a time using as many RR's as you can, your out of pocket prices will be so much lower. I had to do this because the week was almost over so it was my last chance to stock up on these needed items.

TRANSACTION #9
All candy on clearance and bought as filler items. I will not list each price, they are on receipt
Total retail $42.77
Total sale price $16.82
Used $13.50 RR 
Paid $3.32
Got back $12 RR

TRANSACTION #10
Total retail $58.36
Total sale price $34.48
Used $20 RR
Paid $14.48
Got back $21.50 RR

TRANSACTION #11
Total retail $20.91
Total sale price $16.91
Used $12.50 RR and $4 off razor (from sunday paper)
Paid $1.41
Got back $8 RR

TRANSACTION #12
Total Retail $4.05
Total sale price $3.05
Used $2 RR
Paid $1.05
Got back $2 RR

 After all was said and done this week I spent $105.95 and got back the $22 RR shown in above picture
That's like paying $83.95 for $414.27 worth of stuff.
The $22 RR will be rolled over in this weeks sales. Unfortunately, there aren't as many items on sale this week that I need or want. 
Also note that most of the items I bought were needed items. Household, vitamins/supplements, beauty supplies, food, hair dryer that was needed to replace mine (it just broke) and a FEW goodies.
FYI I never heard of those Belvita breakfast biscuits. They are really really good. Everyone is my house loved them. This is the kind of thing I love about Wags and CVS. I get to try new things for a fraction of the price.