Life is about to get Canny!

This past Sunday was the kick off to Shoprite's Can-Can Sale. A few times per year Shoprite has a ridiculous sale on almost all of their canned goods. The sale allows customers to stock up on the necessities. In addition to canned goods, Shoprite extends the sale to lots of other items.

Below is a snapshot of my Can-Can Week1 grocery list. I'm not disciplined enough to stick to the list, especially since we are big-time produce people and need our fruits/veggies and meats, which typically do not have coupons associated with them. In addition to the items below I purchased a bag of red potatoes, 1 head of garlic, 3 lbs of banana's, and 1.5 lbs of plum tomatoes)

Everything I purchased was on sale. While the totals on the bottom of my table aren't 100% accurate they help me figure out how much I'm going to approximately spend.

Here are some of the highlights:

**1 Box of Cheerios for $1**

**V8 Fusion Juice 0.49 cents each**

**Loreal Kids Shampoo 0.49 cents each**

**Loreal Vive Shamp/Cond $1.00 each**

**Wise Potato Chips 0.99 cents each**

** Box of 6 Luigi's Ice 0.99 cents each**

**Colgate Toothpaste FREE**

**Box of 6 Planters Peanut Bars $1.00**

	Quantity	each	total	Coupon Value	Coupon Savings
Cheerios	1	1.88	1.88	0.5	1
V8 Fusion	4	1.99	7.96	$1.5/1	6
Hefty ZipBags	2	1.34	2.68	$1/2	1
SunDown Vitamins	2	1.09	2.18	$1/1	2
Loreal Vive	2	2.49	4.98	.75/1	3
Loreal Kids Shampoo	4	1.99	7.96	.75/1	6
Natures Valley Granola Bars	4	2.5	10	.85/2	3.4
Fillipo Berios Olive oil	2	4.49	8.98	$1/1	2
ChiChi's Salsa	2	1.69	3.38	$1/1	1
Wise's Snacks	1	1.99	1.99	.50/1	1
Luigi's Ice	1	1.99	1.99	.50/1	1
Shout	1	1.99	1.99	.55/1	0.55
Perdue Chicken Cars	1	4.19	4.19	$1/1	1
Sargento Cheese Snacks	2	3.49	6.98	$1/1	2
Colgate Toothpaste	4	0.99	3.96	.50/1	4
ScotchBrite Sponges	2	1.84	3.68	1	1
Snackwells Cereal Bars	1	2.99	2.99	1.50/1	1
Sesmark Crackers	2	2.29	4.58	$1/1	2
Planters Peanut Bars	4	2.5	10	.75/1	6
		totalcost	92.35	total savings	44.95

Total Before Sales and Coupons: $178.84

Manufacturers Coupons: $64.96

Total OUT OF POCKET: $63.62 = 65% SAVINGS!

Free? Who doesn't love Free??

I love free things...

I love getting things Buy One Get One (BOGO) Free...

I love scoring a Free item because my coupon doubled over its value...

I love FREEBIES...

What's a Freebie? A freebie is a product or a sample of a product that a manufacturer sends to you because you signed up for a promotion. Freebies aren't typically based on a contest. The Manufacturer might only have a limited number of free items, so the first X-amount of requestors will get that item for free.

Today I received a free sample in my mailbox:

After opening the seal this is what was found inside:

Included were 6 packets of instant coffee from Nescafe Taster's Choice. A $1.00 coupon on the purchase of a box of Nescafe Taster's Choice product was also part of the package.

I scored this deal from this website. It's still available, so sign up and receive this packet in your mailbox.

Where else does the coupon girl get her freebie information?

• Sign up for daily notifications from ShopforFreebies.com

• Occasionally you need to "Like" a Company on Facebook in order to receive a Freebie: You can request a Free Sample of Quaker Oats Squares through Facebook (found this at www.regularmom.com)
• Frequent these blogs which continuously post Freebies when they find them:
• Living Rich With Coupons
• Regular Mom (yes, I am aware that I am not a mom)
• Saving with Shellie

Finally, sometimes you just know about regularly occuring freebies.. on July-11, the store, 7-11 will be giving away free slurpies.

RedPlum Coupon Preview July 9/10

I just received an email with the RedPlum Coupon Previews for this coming weekend (Sunday if you buy your paper, Saturday if it's delivered to your home). Here are the coupons which I find really valuable - and worth buying a second paper this weekend:

Keebler Granola Fudge bars 6ct only Save $.75/1 (expires 9/4)
(Sale Example: A&P had these on sale this week, 2 for $5.00, if you used 2 coupons they would be 2 for $3.00 or $1.50 each!)

L’Oreal Vive Pro Shampoo Save $.75/1 (expires 9/4)
(Sale Example: I've seen Vive on Sale for 2 for $4.00, if you used 2 coupons they would be 2 for $1.00 or $0.50 each!)

Pure Silk Shave Creme 9.5 oz Save $.80/1 ( expires 9/30)
(Sale Example: Shave Creme can go on sale to $1.25 -$1.99, if you used 1 coupons ($1.60 off!) it would be Free - $0.39 cents each!)

Gain fabric softener or sheets Save $1.00/1 (expires 8/31)
(Sale Example: Fabric Softener Sheets are so expensive and this is a relatively new product, I'm hoping they have a sale like 2 for $.500, if you used 2 coupons they would be 2 for $3.00 or $1.50 each!) no doubling here, but still potentially a great deal!

**all deals assume that coupons do not say "Do Not Double"**

Coupon Comparison (the way coupon girl formulates a plan)
Coupon 1: Rice Krispies gluten free, Crunchy Nut or Kellogg’s Fiber Plus caramel pecan crunch cereal 10.8 oz or larger Save $.70/1 (expires 8/21)
-vs-
Coupon 2: Rice Krispies gluten free, Crunchy Nut or Kellogg’s Fiber Plus caramel pecan crunch cereal 10.8 oz or larger Save $1.50/2 (8/21)

While both coupons are valuable, Coupon 1 possesses more of a deal-opportunity for me. First, I already mentioned the idea of buying 2 newspapers this weekend. Two of Coupon 1 means a TOTAL of $2.80 off of 2 boxes of cereals (assuming you go to one of the many grocery stores that doubles coupons under 99 cents). Lets says a store is having a sale on Kelloggs Fiber Plus Caramel Pecan Crunch (getting hungry think about it), lets say they are on sale for 2 for $6.00, using both $0.70 coupons, you'll be paying $3.20 for two boxes or $1.60 EACH! Now that's an incredible price for a box of cereal!

You can find the rest of the RedPlum coupons here: Sunday Coupon Preview

You can also print lots of these coupons online!

Shoprite and A&P in 1 day

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Jason and I decided to stickaround home this weekend. This was a smart move because as of Saturday morning I could feel a cold coming on. I am now typing this, completely congested, hoping that I don't snore too loudly tonight (poor husband).

I spent 1 hour grocery shopping today. There were a few items I wanted to purchase through the A&P and Shoprite sales. A&P's sales start on Fridays and Shoprite's Sales start on Sundays.

Shoprite

(1) Coffeemate creamer (32 oz- big boy) $1.99

Coupon: (1) $0.55/1 - doubles (making it $0.89 cents)

(2) Wheat Thins Flatbreads & Triscuits 2/$4.00

Coupon: (1) $1.00/2 (making them $1.50 each)

(2) Fuze Drinks $1.00 each

Coupon: (1) $1.00/2 (making them $0.50 cents each)

(2) Pop Secrets Popcorn $1.00 each

Coupon: (1) $1.00/2 (making them $0.50 cents each)

(6) Goya Premium Beans 3/$2.00

Coupon: (2) $0.75/3 -doubles (making them $0.17 cents a can!)

(1) Head of Iceburg Lettuce $1.69

(1) Bunch Flat Leaf Parsley $1.29

(1) Garnier Fructis Texture Paste $3.20

Coupon: (1) $1.00/1 (making it $2.20)

(2) Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta $0.88 cents each

Coupon: (1) $1.00/2 (making them $0.76 cents each)

Before Discounts/Store Savings/Coupons: $36.78

Total OOP: $13.98 = 62.2% Savings!

A&P

(2) Edy's Ice Cream half gallons $1.99 each (this is on sale from $5.99 each!)

Coupon: (1) $1.00/2 (making them $1.50 each)

(3) Twizzlers Packs 2/$3 (on sale from $2.59 to $1.50 each)

Coupon: (1) $1.00/3 (making them $1.17 each)

(2) Nature Valley Granola Thins 2/$5.00 (on sale from $3.59 each)

Coupon: (2) $0.50/1 doubles (making them $1.50 each)

(2) Hunts Ketchup 24 oz $1.00 each (on sale from $1.89 each)

Coupon: (2) $0.25/1 (DND) (making them $0.75 cents each)

(2) Stacy's Pita Chips 2/$.500 (on sale from $3.99 each)

Coupon: (2) $1.00/1 (making them $1.50 each)

0.83 lbs Green Bell Peppers - $1.65 (on sale)

(3) Cucumbers 3/$2.00 (on sale)

1 lb Skirt Steak $6.95 (on sale)

Before Discounts/Store Savings/Coupons: $50.16

Total OOP: $23.84 = 52.5% Savings!

**shhh.. the cashier doubled my Hunts Ketchup coupons which shouldn't have been doubled. So I ended getting the Ketchup for $0.50 cents each! yay!**

Summer 2011: Amazing Gadget

I finally purchased a pineapple on Friday night for my dear husband to put his newest gadget to the test.

He didn't find this toy on his own. He stalked my dear friend Lauren's facebook page where she posted pictures of perfectly sliced pineapple rings. We love pineapples in our household, but truly cannot be bothered with the hassle of cutting and decore-ing them.

Based on Jason's interest, Lauren ordered him a set of 2 Pineapple Slicers from QVC .

This toy is absolutely amazing. We can now have nuisance-free fresh pineapple anytime we'd like. I guarantee I'll be purchasing another pineapple within the week!

**Note: When Jason cleaned the Pineapple Slicer in the dishwasher, some of the plastic parts shrunk. He soaked it in hot water in order for the plastic parts to expand and it now fits together perfectly again!

Stop & Shop Cereal Deal too hot to pass up!

Stop&Shop has a pretty exciting cereal deal going on this week. When you buy 4 boxes of Kelloggs cereal (any size, not to-go cups), you get $6 instant savings and you get a $4 coupon for a gallon of milk on your next purchase!.

Not only do they have this phenom cereal deal, but they also have three $1 Doubler coupons on the front page of their weekly circular. You'll only find these doubler coupons in the circular that is delivered to your house- not on the ads at the entrance to Stop&Shop.

If you've read any of my previous blog entries, you should know that the majority of grocery stores will double manufacturers coupons up to .99 cents. If you have a .75 cent coupon, you will get $1.50 off that item. The only time they do not double is if the coupon explicitly states "Do Not Double" (most Couponers will abbreviate this DND). Also, it's wise to check the store's coupon policy prior to shopping (ShopRite will only double 4-like coupons per/person/day).

What about $1.00 Coupons? While normally a $1 coupon seems great.. they never double, so when Stop&Shop advertise special additional coupons that will DOUBLE $1.00 Coupons, it's an early Christmas present! I figured I would use my $1 Doublers to help score an even better deal on my cereal purchase. (Note: you must spend $15 before coupons in order to use all 3 $1 Doublers in a transaction)

Here is what I did:

Special K w/ red berries $3.99

Special K w/ blue berries $3.99

Raisin Bran $3.39

Raisin Bran $3.39

=14.76 before any discounts

Coupons:

(1) $1/2 Boxes of Special K - **Used my $1 Doubler**

(2) $.70/1 Box of Raisin Bran - Regularly Doubles

Coupon Discount: $4.80

Instant Savings: $6.00

Out of Pocket Cost for 4 boxes of Cereal: $3.96 + $4.00 Coupon for 1 Gallon of Milk!

----------------------------------------

I took further advantage of my other two Doublers and additional sales and coupons.

My entire bill should have been $83.27

After Sales/Coupons/Doublers I saved: $48.66

Out of Pocket Cost: $34.61 That's a savings of 58.4%

What did I buy?

(5) Bottles of Honest Tea Iced Tea - FREE ($1 each, (5) $1 off coupons)

(4) Bottles of French's Mustard - FREE (2/$3, (4)$0.75/1 Coupon doubles)

(2) Pints of Blackberries - BOGO $3.99 each..technically with BOGO 2/$4

(1) Dole Pineapple - $2.99

1lb Beef Sirloin for Stirfry - $4.04

(2) Bags Sargento Shredded Cheese -$2.99 each, used $0.75/1 doubles -OOP-$1.50 each

(1) Pillsbury Cookie Dough - $1.79, used $0.55/1 doubles

(2) Loaves Fiber One Bread - $1.99, used (2) $0.55/1 doubles.. sweet $0.89 cents/loaf!!

1 lb Boars Head OverGold Turkey Breast - $9.35 (on sale)

1 lb Land O Lakes American Cheese - $5.29 (on sale), used $1.00/1lb coupon, $1 Doubler

(1) Bag Dole Salad Blends $2.99 - $1.00 Stop&Shop Coupon

+ Cereals from above!

The moral of this grocery store tale; you can save money on anything... I had cereals, processed foods, deli meat, fresh produce and fresh meat within my grocery cart! Pair up the items that are On Sale in your weekly circular with coupons that you clip and you'll be amazed with how much you will save food.

I go to grocery stores too..

You're probably thinking that I do all of my shopping at CVS...

I love to go to CVS because it's ultra close and I can pick up a few things at a time. There is something unattractive about going to a Supermarket for only 3 items. Maybe it's the parking or the enormity of the stores?

I only like going to the grocery store in the evening or early morning (before work). The mornings are certainly the best. Shelves are stocked (or they in mid-stock), zero crowds, and pleasant cashiers.

With an ultra busy work week, I didn't have a minute this week to go to the grocery store. I had planned my shopping trip last weekend and it really would have been a waste to discard all of that knowledge.

I poured over the circular, reviewed the matchups in my favorite forum (http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/shoprite/), hunted through my coupon holder and devised a plan.

(4) Boxes Kelloggs Rice Krispies $1.88 each

(2) $1.00/2 Coupons

(3) Boxes Kelloggs Pops $1.88 each

(3) $.70/1 Coupons - doubles

(1) Caress Body Wash $2.74

Coupon Expired 6/19 :(

(2) Crystal Light Boxes $1.99 each

(2) $1.00/1 Coupons

(4) Jolly Time Boxes PopCorn $5.00/2

(4) $.50/2 Coupons-doubles

(1) Goya Adobo Spice $1.29

(1) $.55/1 Coupons-do not double

(1) Skintamate Shave Gel $1.99

(1) $.55/1 Coupons-doubles

(1) Terra Chips $2.99

(1) $1.00/1 Coupon

(1) Ciao Bella -$1.99

(1) $.50/1 Coupon-doubles

(2) Baileys Creamers - $1.34 each

(2) $1.00/1 Coupon

(4) Colgate Total Tootpaste -$1.49

(4) $.50/1 Coupon-doubles

(1) Snuggle Fabric Softener-$3.79 **will each SavingStar $1.00 on this

(1) $.75/1 Coupon-doubles

(1) J&J Baby Bubble Bath -$2.88

(1) $1.00/1 Coupon

(2) Scotch Brite (1pk) Sponges $0.99 each

(1) $1.00/2 Coupon

(1) Butterball Turkey Burgers $7.49 *MISTAKE*Meant to purchase item on sale, but it wasn't

(1) $1.50/1 Coupon

Items on sale with no coupons

(2.12 lbs) Grapes $3.16

(2) Gatorades $1.00 each

(2) Hass Avocados $3.00/2

(8) Lemons $1.99/8

(2) Pop Chips $3.00/2

(2) Pop Corners $3.00/2

(1) Turkey Hill MooseTracks $2.50

(2) Borden's Shredded Cheese $1.99 each**new flavors: Gouda & Pepper Jack**

Items not on sale and no coupons

(1) Cento Garlic Powder $1.99

(1) Goya Ground Cumin $2.49

(1) Cheapo Brand Onion Powder $1.00

(1) Baking Powder $1.99

(3) Shoprite Brand Baking Soda $2.00/3

(1) Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar $1.69 **will each SavingStar $1.00 on this

Before Sale/Price Plus Card/Coupons:$154.54

Manufacturers Coupons used: $21.24

Thank you Shoprite Sales: $37.62

Shoprite PricePlus Discounts: $11.04

TOTAL SAVINGS: $78.35 = 51%

OutOfPocket: $76.19

the best things in life are free

When you are shopping, there is no better feeling in the world than getting something for free.

Absolutely Free! ie: You Owe, Nothing!

I had a few coupons collecting dust in my coupon holder waiting for the right sale to be used.. and then that sale revealed itself to me. Simple Asia Noodle bowls on sale at CVS 10 for $10! Jackpot.. I have 9 coupons for $1.00/1 bowl.

I did confirm that I did not have to purchase all 10 to get the deal, and thank goodness because my regular CVS only had 4 in stock :( .

Luckily I have 2 CVS stores within 5 miles of my house, so I left 1 store and jetted off to the other, where I picked up another 5 soup bowls!

A Chardonnay Anyone Will Looovee!

Move over Napa, See ya later Sonoma.... Hello California's Central Coast-Monterey.

I'd bet the house that you'll adore this delicious Monterey Chardonnay. It's not your typical buttery chard, but instead has a pang of acidity you would normally find in a sauvignon blanc.

With a gorgeous light wheat color and a bountiful aroma of all the fruit I love to eat, pears..pineapples..citruses.. and a touch of vanilla to cut down the acid - I'm getting thirsty writing this! Pair this beauty with chicken or fish (eww) or vegetarian dishes.

http://www.jlohr.com/wines/estates/chardonnay-2009

(image courtesy of this site)

I first experienced J.Lohr's Riverstone Chardonnay 2009 while at happy hour with Jason's co-workers. It's perfectly priced at liquor stores (currently on sale at Joe Canal's in Princeton and Woodbridge for $9.99/bottle -if you are a bottleclub member) and even www.wine.com stocks this gem for about $15.00.

J.Lohr's Riverstone 2009 is my go-to chardonnay, you can find it on many restaurant wine lists. A 1/2 bottle (typically 2.5 glasses**) at Legal Seafood's Test Kitchen gets me through airport-traffic delays during business trips out of Logan International Airport.

Run.. don't walk to the nearest liquor store and snag yourself a bottle.

**why spend $8.25 on 1 glass of wine when I can buy a 1/2 bottle for $16.00 and get 2.5 glasses?! Always looking for a deal!

Splitting Transactions @ CVS

I couldn't wait for next week to use my 30% and $8.99 in ECBs I earned yesterday. I decided to look at the CVS flyer again and devise a little shopping trip to get me some goods for "cheap."

Here is what I did based on the ad:

If you spend $10 on Crest ProHealth items you get a $5.00 ECB

If you buy 2 Kraft Mayo's, you get them for 2 for $4.00 (pretty good deal considering mayo is pretty expensive - and now that it's summer time BBQ's require at least 1 side made with mayonnaise).

Charmin 4 DoubleRoll tp was on sale for $3.00 each

I also need to buy a few Father's Day cards for Sunday.

...

I had a manufacturers few coupons

$1.00/2 Crest ProHealth Toothpaste

$1.00/1 Crest ProHealth Mouthwash

2-$1.00/1 Kraft Mayo

$1.00/2 Charmin Toiletpaper

I split my transactions into 2 purchases:

Trans 1

(2) Crest Toothpastes

(2) Father's Day Cards

(1) Good Luck Card

(1) Crest Mouth Wash

(2) Kraft Mayo

$4.00 in manufacturer coupons used

$6.20 off from the 30% off CVS coupon

$8.99 used in ECBs

Total Out of Pocket (OOP) - $5.45

Earned: $5.00 ECB

Trans 2

(2) Charmin 4 doublerolls toilet paper

$1.00 in manufacturer coupons used

$5.00 used in ECBs (from Trans 1)

Total Out of Pocket (OOP) - FREE

I purchased $42.80 worth of products for $5.45!

87.2% Savings!

56% Savings @ CVS

During lunch today I hopped out to pick up a few things at CVS. I’ve been getting back into couponing and I figured a good ‘ol CVS run would kick me back into gear.

When it comes to food and beauty products, I’ll never spend full price on anything. I typically wait for sales and even better sales + coupons.

Everything I purchased today was advertised in the June 12 – June 18 CVS Flyer. I had NO ECBs (Extra Care Bucks) going into this trip, since I haven’t been doing much shopping.

I purchased everything in 1 transaction, which means I probably could have paid even less if I bundled items together properly (more on that next week!)

Here is what I purchased

(2) Packs of FatFree Fig Newtons

Reg 4.79 each, on Sale for 2 for $5.00

(2) Boxes of Fiber One Cereal

Reg 6.49 each, on Sale for 2 for $6.00, Used (2) $.75 Qs

(1) Palmolive Dish Soap

Reg 1.99, on Sale for .89

(1) Dial NuTrition Body Wash

Reg 5.89, on Sale for 3.88, Used $2.00 Q

(3) 32Oz Gatorades

Reg 1.99 Each, on Sale for 0.88

(1) Mitchum Deodorant

Reg 4.29, on Sale for 1.99, Used $.75 Q

(2) John Freida Shampoo & Conditioner

Reg 6.99 Each, on Sale for 5.00, Used (2) $2.00 Qs

(1) Zyrtec Allergy Med (5 Count)

Reg 6.89, on Sale for 5.99, Used $2.00 Q

(4) Packs of Orbitz Gum

Reg 1.49 each, on Sale for BOGO, Used (2) $1.00/2 Q

Technically got 4 packs of gum .99 cents

(2) Dove Chocolate Bars

Reg 2.19, on Sale for BOGO-0.01, Used $1.00 Q

Technically got 2 dove choc. bars for $1.20

(3) TicTacs Packets

Reg 1.77, on Sale for B2GO-0.01, Used $1.00 Q

(3) Packs of Stride Gum

Reg 1.67, on Sale for B2GO-0.01 Used $1.00/3 Q

(2) Bayer Tablets (24 ct)

Reg $3.49, on Sale for BOGO-50%, Used (2) $1.00 Q

(2) Aleve Tablets (50 ct)

Reg $6.99, on Sale for BOGO-50%, Used (2) $1.00 Q

(1) $10 Gas Card FREE!

Total Bill without Sales and Coupons: $103.01

Total Coupons Used: $19.25

Total Paid after Sales and Coupons: $44.92

Saved: 56.4%!!! and I got $10 to spend on Gas!

-----

ECBs Earned: $8.99

Coupon Earned: 30% Entire Purchase, expires: 6/18

Guess who's back??.. Back again..

My dear NJ Coupon Girl readers;

I am back, I am married and I'm ready to focus on blogging about ways to save money while shopping, improving your kitchen skills and sharing whatever comes rolling my way.




I figured I would start back up with a phenomenal CVS experience. On Saturday (Feb 20th) I planned my Sunday CVS shopping trip. I would go to CVS to pick up a few items that were on sale and that I had coupons for.

1. Charmin Ultra Strong (4 rolls) $3.99 onSale:$2.99 $1.00 Coupon on 2
2. Charmin Ultra Strong (4 rolls) $3.99 onSale:$2.99
3. Ultra Purex 5 oz $6.79 onSale:$1.99 $1.00 Coupon
4. Purex Complete 3-in-1 (20 sheets) $9.39 onSale:$3.99 $3.00 Coupon
5. Finish Dishwasher Tablets (20) $5.99 onSale:$2.99 $1.00 Coupon
6. Palmolive Oxy Dish Washing Liquid (1 oz) $1.67 onSale:$0.97
7. Cadbury Mini eggs $0.87 onSale:$0.75
8. Sunday NewsPaper $1.25

Total without Sale prices: $33.94

Total with onSale items:$17.92

Coupon Total: $7.75 (includes a $2.00 Extra Care Buck)

GRAND Total Out Of Pocket: $10.17 (+ tax) = 10.92

I save $23.77 = 70.3% Savings!!

Clip Coupons.. Read Circulars.. Save Money $$