I remember going to the grocery store with my mom when I was younger and looking at all the colorful boxes of cereal. I would want her to buy the colorful boxes of Fruity Pebbles or any box of cereal that promised a toy inside. More often than not, my mom would steer the shopping cart over to the store brand of cereals and choose from there. As a child, I was convinced that there was something that would taste better about the name brand cereal.
I know many people who have a specific brand of products that they buy, and they never waiver from that. You might go to a certain person's house and know that you will always find Gandy's Milk, Kraft Cheese, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Charmin Toilet Paper, and the list could go on and on. It might be that way at your house. I want to encourage you to branch out a little bit and try new things!!
I've mentioned before that if you want to cut your grocery budget down, you need to use coupons and combine them with sales to stock up on items at rock bottom prices. This usually means that there will be items on sale that might not be a brand that you are familiar with. If you are loyal to only one brand of products, it will be a lot harder for you to start noticing a change in your grocery budget. Yes, you can use coupons on the brands you normally buy, but you will be missing out on trying new things and drastically cutting back your expenses.
I will say that there are a couple of items that our family is loyal to...Philadelphia Cream Cheese (other brands just don't taste near as good) and Blue Bell Ice Cream (I will buy other brands, but nothing is better than Blue Bell!!) Every other item that we purchase is based on price, not brand.
Don't be afraid to branch out and try something new. You'll be able to try new things AND save money at the same time!! Oh, and did you know that a lot of times store brand products have a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the products...so what's there to lose?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
New Coupons Available
I try to check coupons.com at least a couple of times every week to see if any new coupons have been released. I just checked and was pleasantly surprised with some of the new coupons. I would encourage you to scroll through the coupons and see if you can use any of them.
Some of my new favorites are:
$0.75 off one Nature's Own Breakfast Bread, Bagels, or English Muffins
$0.50 off one Chipotle Cheddar, Sour Cream and Onion, or BBQ Chex Mix
$0.50 off one Chocolate Chex Mix or Bugles
$0.50 off one Gardetto's Snack Mix
I found all of these coupons using zip code 76904. Go here to view all of the coupons!
Remember that all of the coupons that are valued at $0.50 can be doubled up to $1.00 at Albertsons. I have seen Chex Mix, Bugles, and Gardetto's all go on sale for $1.00 at Albertsons, so if you hang on to these coupons and wait for a sale you might be able to get FREE snacks!! Note...there are no guarantees that these items will go on sale before the coupons expire, but I always try to hang onto this sort of coupon hoping for a sale. If the items don't go on sale before the expiration date and I still want to purchase them, I'll go ahead and use them...but I'd encourage you to at least wait to see if these go on sale!!
Great Shopping Trip!!
My sister-in-law emailed me the above picture of her latest shopping trip. She lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and bought everything above at Kroger.
She bought:
3 Pillsbury Delights Desserts
4 boxes of Toaster Strudels
6 bags of Gardetto's
1 bag of Chex Mix
1 Bag of Bugles
8 cans of Progresso Soup
1 bottle of Sunny D Juice
She only spent $10.15, and saved $43.79!!
Way to go Steph!!
Before coupons/sales I'm sure that the Progresso soup alone would have cost more than $10.00. If you combine coupons with sales you can really get some GREAT deals!
Do any of you have any GREAT trips that you'd like to share as motivation for others. Email them to me, and I'd love to write a post about them...try to include what you spent/saved and what store you shopped at!! Thanks so much, and I really look forward to seeing some of your savings.
Albertsons--$0.50 Kraft Barbecue Sauce
While I was at Albertsons, I found some shopping carts filled with Kraft Barbecue sauce that were on clearance.
The Kraft Barbecue Sauce was clearance priced to $0.50. I am not aware of any coupons that are available right now to make this deal even better, but $0.50 is a pretty GREAT price for BBQ Sauce.
Of course clearance finds will vary from store to store...for those of you in San Angelo, I found these at the Albertsons on College Hills
The Kraft Barbecue Sauce was clearance priced to $0.50. I am not aware of any coupons that are available right now to make this deal even better, but $0.50 is a pretty GREAT price for BBQ Sauce.
Of course clearance finds will vary from store to store...for those of you in San Angelo, I found these at the Albertsons on College Hills
Albertsons Trip (August 16)
I also made a quick run to Albertsons this afternoon. I had a couple of rain checks for items that I wanted to buy, and I also wanted to get FREE sour cream and relish!! I bought everything pictured below and spent...
$3.50. I really didn't need anything this week except for bread, but wanted to stock up on some of the items that were on sale.
I bought:
7 boxes of Multi-Grain Cheerios $1.50 (I had a rain check for these)
-used 7 coupons for $0.75 off Multi-Grain Cheerios (found here, here, and here)
Final Cost: $5.25 (or $0.75 each)
4 Tony's Pizzas $0.79 (I had a rain check for these)
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off two Tony's pizzas (found here)
Final Cost: $1.16 (or $0.29 each)
3 containers of Smart Balance Sour Cream $1.00
-used 3 coupons for $0.50 off Smart Balance Sour Cream (these were doubled) (found in 7/11 RedPlum insert)
Final Cost: FREE
6 Jars of Mt. Olive Relish $1.00
-used 6 coupons for $1.00 off Mt. Olive Pickles, Peppers, or Relish (found in 8/1 SmartSource insert)
Final Cost: FREE
3 boxes of Pasta Roni $1.00
-used 1 coupon for $1.00 off three Pasta Ronis (found here)
Final Cost: $2.00 (or $0.67 each)
3 bottles of Sunny D Juice $1.00
-used 1 coupon for $1.00 off three Sunny D Products (found here)
Final Cost: $2.00 (or $0.67 each)
2 loaves of Mrs. Bairds Bread $1.00
Final Cost: $2.00 (or $1.00 each)
2 boxes of Hot Pockets Sideshots $1.67
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off Hot Pockets Sideshots (found here)
Final Cost: $1.34 (or $0.67 each)
I also used a $10.00 Catalina coupon from the Kellogg's/Keebler deal last week, and I used 5 reusable bags (deducted $0.05 per bag)
Total for this transaction was $3.50, and I saved $48.62!!
If you are interested in doing any of these deals please remember that tomorrow is the last day for these sale prices. Also keep in mind that you will not be able to get the same price as I did on the items that I had rain checks for.
Good luck shopping!!
$3.50. I really didn't need anything this week except for bread, but wanted to stock up on some of the items that were on sale.
I bought:
7 boxes of Multi-Grain Cheerios $1.50 (I had a rain check for these)
-used 7 coupons for $0.75 off Multi-Grain Cheerios (found here, here, and here)
Final Cost: $5.25 (or $0.75 each)
4 Tony's Pizzas $0.79 (I had a rain check for these)
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off two Tony's pizzas (found here)
Final Cost: $1.16 (or $0.29 each)
3 containers of Smart Balance Sour Cream $1.00
-used 3 coupons for $0.50 off Smart Balance Sour Cream (these were doubled) (found in 7/11 RedPlum insert)
Final Cost: FREE
6 Jars of Mt. Olive Relish $1.00
-used 6 coupons for $1.00 off Mt. Olive Pickles, Peppers, or Relish (found in 8/1 SmartSource insert)
Final Cost: FREE
3 boxes of Pasta Roni $1.00
-used 1 coupon for $1.00 off three Pasta Ronis (found here)
Final Cost: $2.00 (or $0.67 each)
3 bottles of Sunny D Juice $1.00
-used 1 coupon for $1.00 off three Sunny D Products (found here)
Final Cost: $2.00 (or $0.67 each)
2 loaves of Mrs. Bairds Bread $1.00
Final Cost: $2.00 (or $1.00 each)
2 boxes of Hot Pockets Sideshots $1.67
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off Hot Pockets Sideshots (found here)
Final Cost: $1.34 (or $0.67 each)
I also used a $10.00 Catalina coupon from the Kellogg's/Keebler deal last week, and I used 5 reusable bags (deducted $0.05 per bag)
Total for this transaction was $3.50, and I saved $48.62!!
If you are interested in doing any of these deals please remember that tomorrow is the last day for these sale prices. Also keep in mind that you will not be able to get the same price as I did on the items that I had rain checks for.
Good luck shopping!!
Target Trip (August 16)
I made a quick run to Target today. I've had coupons that I've been wanting to use for the last couple of weeks, but every time I've gone to Target they've been out of the items I wanted to buy...makes me think there are other coupon shoppers in San Angelo that are getting some great deals. :) I was excited to find that Target had Bagel Bites and Chef Boyardee back in stock!! I bought everything pictured below and spent...
$0.00!! That's right, I didn't have to spend a dime of my own money.
I bought:
3 cans of Chef Boyardee Ravioli $0.84
-used 3 Target coupons for $1.00 off Chef Boyardee products (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
2 cans of Campbell's Select Harvest Soup $1.50
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off Campbell's Select Harvest Soup (found here)
-used 2 Target coupons for $0.50 off Campbell's Soup (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
4 packages of Stride Gum $1.29
-used 2 coupons for Buy one Stride Gum get one FREE (found in 5/16 SmartSource insert)
-used 2 Target coupons for Buy one Stride Gum Get one FREE (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
2 boxes of Bagel Bites $2.24
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off Bagel Bites (found in 6/13 SmartSource insert)
-used 2 Target coupons for $1.00 off Bagel Bites (found here)
Final Cost: $0.48
2 boxes of Quaker Oh's Cereal $2.00
-used 2 Target coupons for $1.00 off one Quaker Breakfast Item (found here)
Final Cost: $2.00 (I was SO excited about this deal. This is my favorite cereal, but since I started using coupons I never buy it. I will not pay over $1.00 for a box of cereal, and I've never been able to find this cereal on sale...so YEA!! I might just have to hide these boxes from my boys. :)
2 packages of Bic pens $0.99
-used 1 coupon for $1.00 off two Bic Stationary products (found here)
-used 1 Target coupon for $1.00 off Two Bic Stationary products (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
1 pair of Merona Jeans Clearance priced to $6.24 (Regularly $24.99)
-used coupon for $3.00 off any Denim product for Men or Women (found here)
Final Cost: $3.24
Final Cost for Transaction: $5.72...I mentioned above that I got everything for FREE. I used a $10.00 Target gift card that I received after buying printer ink last week to purchase all of this, so no money out of pocket for me!! And I saved over $45.00!! YEA!!
Note...I printed most of the Target coupons a couple of weeks ago, so I am not sure if they are still available. Check your coupon stash and online to see if you might have any of these coupons.
$0.00!! That's right, I didn't have to spend a dime of my own money.
I bought:
3 cans of Chef Boyardee Ravioli $0.84
-used 3 Target coupons for $1.00 off Chef Boyardee products (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
2 cans of Campbell's Select Harvest Soup $1.50
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off Campbell's Select Harvest Soup (found here)
-used 2 Target coupons for $0.50 off Campbell's Soup (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
4 packages of Stride Gum $1.29
-used 2 coupons for Buy one Stride Gum get one FREE (found in 5/16 SmartSource insert)
-used 2 Target coupons for Buy one Stride Gum Get one FREE (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
2 boxes of Bagel Bites $2.24
-used 2 coupons for $1.00 off Bagel Bites (found in 6/13 SmartSource insert)
-used 2 Target coupons for $1.00 off Bagel Bites (found here)
Final Cost: $0.48
2 boxes of Quaker Oh's Cereal $2.00
-used 2 Target coupons for $1.00 off one Quaker Breakfast Item (found here)
Final Cost: $2.00 (I was SO excited about this deal. This is my favorite cereal, but since I started using coupons I never buy it. I will not pay over $1.00 for a box of cereal, and I've never been able to find this cereal on sale...so YEA!! I might just have to hide these boxes from my boys. :)
2 packages of Bic pens $0.99
-used 1 coupon for $1.00 off two Bic Stationary products (found here)
-used 1 Target coupon for $1.00 off Two Bic Stationary products (found here)
Final Cost: FREE
1 pair of Merona Jeans Clearance priced to $6.24 (Regularly $24.99)
-used coupon for $3.00 off any Denim product for Men or Women (found here)
Final Cost: $3.24
Final Cost for Transaction: $5.72...I mentioned above that I got everything for FREE. I used a $10.00 Target gift card that I received after buying printer ink last week to purchase all of this, so no money out of pocket for me!! And I saved over $45.00!! YEA!!
Note...I printed most of the Target coupons a couple of weeks ago, so I am not sure if they are still available. Check your coupon stash and online to see if you might have any of these coupons.
Target--FREE Campbell's Healthy Select Soup
I just got back from a quick run to Target (more about that later) and was so excited to find FREE Healthy Select Soup!!
Campbell's Healthy Select soup is on price cut to $1.50.
-use manufacturers' coupon for $1.00 off Healthy Select soup (found here)
-AND use Target coupon for $0.50 off Campbell's Soup (found here)
Final Price: FREE!!
I know it's too hot to even think about eating soup now, but in a few months you might be wishing you had some soup in your pantry!!
Oh, and a quick note...they had the Healthy Select Microwave Bowls also on sale for $1.50...you'd be able to use the above coupons to get those for free as well. I just think it's a much better value to buy something with at least a couple of servings in it. If you take a lunch to work though, the microwave bowls would make for a FREE lunch!!
Campbell's Healthy Select soup is on price cut to $1.50.
-use manufacturers' coupon for $1.00 off Healthy Select soup (found here)
-AND use Target coupon for $0.50 off Campbell's Soup (found here)
Final Price: FREE!!
I know it's too hot to even think about eating soup now, but in a few months you might be wishing you had some soup in your pantry!!
Oh, and a quick note...they had the Healthy Select Microwave Bowls also on sale for $1.50...you'd be able to use the above coupons to get those for free as well. I just think it's a much better value to buy something with at least a couple of servings in it. If you take a lunch to work though, the microwave bowls would make for a FREE lunch!!
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